Is the United States really a Christian nation?

It is often been proclaimed, almost entirely by theists, that the U.S. was founded as a Christian nation. Christians like to think that this gives them the right to impose their religious belief on all citizens. Their logic goes as follows: If this is a Christian nation, then Christian morality and laws are absolute truths and can be legislated on the people. Christians can hold a higher place in society than other believers, and especially higher than non-believers. The law making process no longer requires debate and discussion and evidence, but rather follows the Bible and the preaching of the Christian leaders. I'm sure you get the picture.

However, for as much as Christians like to think so,  the United States was not really founded as a Christian nation. In fact, even labeling it as a Christian nation solely because that Christianity is the majority religion is a relatively useless label, no different than saying we are a white, female nation. Besides, the motto "might makes right" holds no real weight. To better understand what the founders really thought, let's examine some of their quotes and excerpts from period documents:

The Constitution states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof".

The Treaty of Tripoli, drafted in November, 1796, and signed by President John Adams June 10th, 1797, clearly states: "As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion".


Benjamin Franklin said, "If we look back into history for the character of the present sects in Christianity, we shall find few that have not in their turns been persecutors, and complainers of persecution. The primitive Christians thought persecution extremely wrong in the Pagans, but practiced it on one another".

John Adams wrote, "As I understand the Christian religion, it was, and is, a revelation. But how has it happened that millions of fables, tales, legends, have been blended with both Jewish and Christian revelation that have made them the most bloody religion that ever existed?".

He also wrote, "The priesthood have, in all ancient nations, nearly monopolized learning. And ever since the Reformation, when or where has existed a Protestant or dissenting sect who would tolerate A FREE INQUIRY? The blackest billingsgate, the most ungentlemanly insolence, the most yahooish brutality, is patiently endured, countenanced, propagated, and applauded. But touch a solemn truth in collision with a dogma of a sect, though capable of the clearest proof, and you will find you have disturbed a nest, and the hornets will swarm about your eyes and hand, and fly into your face and eyes".

And lastly, famous statesman, philospher, and President Thomas Jefferson wrote, "Is uniformity attainable? Millions of innocent men, women and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined, imprisoned; yet we have not advanced an inch towards uniformity. What has been the effect of coercion? To make one half the world fools, and the other half hypocrites. To support roguery and error all over the earth".

As you can see, many of the Founding Fathers and thinkers of the early American nation had negative views about religion, and the language of the Founding documents clearly demonstrates this. This nation was not intended to be a "Christian Nation", nor was it founded on any ideals or values that solely belonged to Christianity.

Another way to think about Christianity's place in this nation is to consider some important laws, or lack thereof. If this really was a Christian nation, why would we have prisons and punishments for law breakers? If everyone's final judgement will come before God, then we have no need to punish them here on earth. If "Judge not, that ye be not judged" really holds true, then why do we have a court system with judges and jurors? If everyone that attains political office does so with God's graces, then why is Obama hailed as the Anti-Christ? These things just don't add up.


One really interesting aspect of this is the place of prayer in our country. If prayer had any demonstrable effect on reality, then there would be laws surrounding it. Think about it. If praying for something to happen really affected the actuality of that situation, then people who want people to die should be arrested for murder. People who pray for sunny weather for their vacation, while the farmer suffers through a drought, should be considered responsible. Why would we need modern medicine if prayers for good health actually worked? Think about how many Christians are praying that Obama will somehow leave office tomorrow. If their thoughts had any influence, wouldn't this be considered treason? 


Lastly, Christianity likes to think that it has a monopoly on certain values and ideas. However, these same ideas and values have sprung up all over the world, regardless of religious belief, or even non-belief. Liberty, justice, freedom, the right to life, these are all inherently human ideas, that need no religious connection or divine authority to utilize. In fact, many Christian beliefs are conflicting with the principals of this nation, such as the separation of church and state, and then justice system. If the United States was truly a Christian nation, it would be a lot different, and, I would argue, a lot worse. We are all human beings, and we all share this planet. It is up to us to decide whether we want to work together as best as we can, to create a better life for everyone, or to cling to our own ignorance, refusing to examine the world around us to better understand reality. We must be able to put our differences of belief aside, and investigate, as best we can, the true reality surrounding out nation, and how we can best continue the traditions and values it stands for, in a way that is equally beneficial to all.