Is the U.S. a Christian Nation?

Is the U.S. a Christian Nation?

In a 2007 interview with beliefnet.com, John McCain stated that “the Constitution established the United States of America as a Christian nation.” While some were encouraged by McCain's words, others took great offense, reigniting a passionate debate about the intentions of America’s founders. Was the U.S. built on Christian principles, or are we a purely secular nation?

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  • “Yes”
  • No Objections Yet

Dr Paul S Vickery

Judaeo-Christian Beliefs Form Basis for Constitution and Legal Code

Dr. Paul S. Vickery

History Prof., Oral Roberts University

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America is a nation built upon Judaeo-Christian beliefs. These values emphasize the dignity and worth of every person, created in the image and likeness of God, and form the basis for our Constitution and legal code. Those who founded this nation through their writings and public service were certainly Theists who believed in the authority and significance of the Scriptures. They may have debated the textual interpretation but not the inspiration of the Scripture. It was acceptable for them to use the Bible to footnote their beliefs. Unfortunately this is no longer an option in the modern debate over issues. We rely more on feelings or the desire to justify our own wants and desires and can find some expert to agree with these. 


Christian Nation Does Not Mean Theocracy


Obviously America is not a theocracy in the same way that Iran is an Islamic Nation where church and state are indistinguishable. Unlike many other states, we provide for the free exercise of religious beliefs. Every nation, however, must have a dominant belief system, or worldview, that permeates the laws and practices of that state and binds its citizens together. We sometimes hear the statement that “we cannot legislate morality.” Every law is an ethical law. The question is simply what ethical basis are we using?     


Neither is Freedom of Religion Pluralism


The concept of a pluralistic society in which no one worldview underpins the foundational beliefs of that society describes a society in transition from one dominant worldview to another. We need only examine the situation in some Western European nations, e.g. the Netherlands , to observe this happening.

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