by Zarathustra on March 8th, 2009

Zarathustra

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Although it is demographically, is the United States a Christian nation? Should it be?

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  • by Moongrim on December 11th, 2009
    voted: No

    Moongrim

    We may have a bunch of Christians here, but America was not intended to be a Christian Nation. Look at the Treaty of Tripoli for reference.Art. 11. As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion;

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Tripoli

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  • by dead leaves raked in a pile on December 13th, 2009
    voted: No

    dead leaves raked in a pile

    It can be really hard to determine soneone's intentions when interpreting old documents and records in the light of current attitudes. Without conducting serious studies, my impression is that America was founded on Christian principles.

    Note the was.

    America is (from my limited experience) primarily a money grubbing capitalist nation. The overwhelming impression received by someone arriving at America's shores is sell sell sell - or conversely buy buy buy. Nothing much else matters. The prime god first and foremost is money- and what it brings - power influence. possessions.

    That said, many are religious in the traditional sense and there seem to me more Christians than other religions, and to some extent public policy and attitudes are coloured by Christian attitudes. On that basis it could be argued that America is a Christian nation.

    Sadly however, the churches often make the news for what seem decidedly unchristian happenings - you've read the news I do not need to go into a long litany of child abuse, fraud, theft, embezzlement and more. Having seen something of the workings of one church, it's a business. First requirement for growing a church? A bigger parking lot. Very spiritual places, parking lots. You'd be surprised.

    No, America is not a Christian nation.

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  • by John Pacella on December 11th, 2009
    voted: Yes

    John Pacella

    The US was built on Christain principles... no one can deny this.

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  • by Blackberry. on December 11th, 2009
    voted: No

    Blackberry.

    I'm sure all know why the U.S. isn't a christian nation. The founders came here to actually escape from the oppressive religious people in europe. Just because there are a lot (or too many) of christians here doesn't mean its their nation.

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  • by 23Skidoo on December 11th, 2009
    voted: No

    23Skidoo

    Undoubtedly the most of th people who identify as religious will be Christian in the us, but that's not what McCain meant.
    .
    The US is a secular nation, as clearly stated in the constitution. That the Bible contributed to US law is irrelevant, so did Hammurabi's Code.

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  • by Sodahead on December 11th, 2009
    voted: Yes

    Sodahead

    This is pretty easy to figure out. The majority of Americans say that they are Christian and if you go back and read the founders writings this country was build upon Christian values. So as much as the liberals hate to hear it, America is very much a Christian nation.

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  • by EvangelineOFire on December 11th, 2009
    voted: No

    EvangelineOFire

    No, and why is this debate still going on? If the "founding fathers" had wanted to establish the USA as a Christian nation, they had every opportunity to state just that. They did not. Many of them were racist and hypcrites, but they also recognized what can happen when church and state are one.

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  • by Razzle-Fratchit on December 11th, 2009
    voted: Yes

    Razzle-Fratchit

    The UNITED STATES is not a nation: it's a federal government. America is a nation, and Americans are predominately a Christian people. The united States of America (at least all prior to Alaska and Hawaii) were all founded as Christian polities by Christians on Christian principles and there Christian heritage, including the mission to spread Christianity across the land. This is especially true of the States east of the Mississippi, plus Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Texas, and California, the eastern seaboard States most of all. When the Framers established the Federal Government, the 1st Amendment interdicted it from any meddling in the religious policies of the individual States -- Jefferson and Madison were absolutely explicit and clear on this point. Under the 1st Amendment, each State is free to establish whatever religious policy it wish, including establishing a State church or religion, or even requiring religious tests of office-holders. At the time of ratification, and for decades afterwards, several States had established State churches and a few required religious tests for candidates for public office, and they continued to do so for decades. Furthermore, Madison’s argument for NOT permitting a national State Church as they had in England was that it was bad for Christianity: a State Church, he argued, fostered complacency, worldliness, and spiritual deadness, the ruin of authentic and vital Christianity.

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  • by MrJosh on December 10th, 2009
    voted: No

    MrJosh

    While it may depend on what you mean by "nation," the United States is a country made up of believers of many different belief systems, some religious, some not. Some of the founders were Christian, some were not. While we are not a purely secular nation, many of the Judeo-Christian principles the US was supposedly founded on are the same ones that are found in most religions around the world.

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  • by joe mcdoodlefart on December 17th, 2009
    voted: No

    joe mcdoodlefart

    hi guys!

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  • by Rude Bear Ready for Winter on March 8th, 2009
    voted: No

    Rude Bear Ready for  Winter

    Treaty of Tripoli
    Official records show that after President John Adams sent the treaty to the Senate for ratification in May 1797, the entire treaty was read aloud on the Senate floor, and copies were printed for every Senator. A committee considered the treaty and recommended ratification, 23 of the 32 sitting Senators were present for the June 7 vote which unanimously approved the ratification recommendation.

    Art. 11. As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion;

    So, No. The United States is not now, nor never has been a Christian nation. Nor should it be.

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  • by Wynper on May 7th, 2010
    voted: No

    Wynper

    No!

    In a late 18th century treaty reached by America with certain Muslim pirates of the African coast. The Treaty of Tripoli, Article 11 states:

    As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion,-as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Musselmen,-and as the said States never have entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mehomitan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.

    Years ago the "Christian nation" part of this was being passed around, falsely attributed as a saying of George Washington but that's it.

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  • by Robertd903 on December 17th, 2009
    voted: Yes

    Robertd903

    Actually, the US was built on "Christian principles"--as interpreted by the hypocritical founding fathers of the time. One of the main problems with attempting to apply "Chrisitian principles" is--one who applies these principles, all too often, pick and choose the "principles" that serve his own selfish agenda, while other "principles" are ignored. Case-in-point, "..All men are created equal...", yet the author(s) of this very statement--had slaves!!!

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  • by N I C K on December 11th, 2009
    voted: Yes

    N I C K

    Yes America is Christian. You wouldn't guess it looking at the country today though.

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  • by Chris E on December 11th, 2009
    voted: Yes

    Chris E

    I dont believe it soley base on Christian beliefs, but our founding made clear that God had a place in our Government even though not directly.

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  • by tastiger on December 11th, 2009
    voted: Yes

    tastiger

    We may be a christian nation, but all religions are allowed to be worshipped and respected.

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  • by Nutsy_Rail on December 11th, 2009
    voted: Yes

    Nutsy_Rail

    The majority of Americans are Christian. We were founded by Christians. Most of the mindless herd is Christian, just because everyone else is.

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  • by AB is an asylum run by the inmates, ciao! on May 7th, 2010
    voted: No

    AB is an asylum run by the inmates, ciao!

    No. It is a secular nation with strict, constitutional prohibitions against state endorsement of religion. It still is, despite the efforts or the far right to limit our rights because of their twisted beliefs.

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  • by Tamilze on May 7th, 2010

    Tamilze

    No, although there is an unfortunately high number of Christians here.

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  • by The Anonymous Witch on May 7th, 2010
    voted: No

    The Anonymous Witch

    not on my watch !

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  • by twiceborn on December 27th, 2009
    voted: No

    twiceborn

    No! No! No! and a thousand times no, the U.S. is the most godless nation on the face of the planet. It may be true that a whole lot of people profess to be Christians but anyone who has lived at least 50 years or more in this nation know and have seen for themselves that this nation disrespects, dishonor, and brings disgrace upon the name of God. There is no fear of God in this nation. Most kids today and most adults do not reverence God because they do not know Him. Just because someone claims to be a Christian does not make them one and certainly going to church does not. Satan rules in America. Everything goes in America and ungodly pride reigns. Everyone does what is right in their own eyes. If I could take one passage of scripture from the Word of God to explain this nation to someone who wanted to know what the U.S. is like, this is what it would be.

    2Ti 3:1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.
    2Ti 3:2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
    2Ti 3:3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,
    2Ti 3:4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
    2Ti 3:5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
    2Ti 3:6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions,
    2Ti 3:7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.

    The U.S. is the most blessed nation in the world. We have access to the Word of God in every form available. We have the most preachers, the most churches, we can pray and worship the Lord Jesus without being killed or threatened. Every person who wants a Bible can have one. God is not honored here and only when some great tragedy occurs does everyone start talking about God. Then we cry out God bless America, as if He hasn't done so already. I may be wrong about this but I believe the U.S. is going to judged by God like no other nation in history and rightfully so, we deserve it.

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  • by 23Skidoo on December 22nd, 2009
    voted: No

    23Skidoo

    It's a secular one.

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  • by eternal0void on December 14th, 2009
    voted: No

    eternal0void

    No doubt the "Treaty of Tripoli" has been mentioned at least once, in which a document created by President George Washington's administration declared the U.S. to not be a Christian nation, and this document was published in several newspapers with no complaints by any U.S. citizen.

    Also it is difficult to declare the U.S. Constitution a Christian document when it does not mention God or Jesus, and religion is mentioned only in terms of not requiring a religious test for public office.

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  • by myfunnyjunk on December 12th, 2009
    voted: Yes

    myfunnyjunk

    Almost of the USA and world are becoming Christians!

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  • by purplecows on December 11th, 2009

    purplecows

    The "nation" is not the "government."
    Christian Government? Certainly not at the federal level.
    The Nation (the people, the families) was never "founded."

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  • by Razzle-Fratchit on December 11th, 2009
    voted: Yes

    Razzle-Fratchit

    Regardint the Poll: "Was the U.S. built on Christian principles, or are we a purely secular nation?" ...

    How do I answer YES or NO to and either/or question?

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  • by my2cents--Vote for Paul on December 11th, 2009
    voted: Yes

    my2cents--Vote for Paul

    While we are not officially a Christian nation. As nearly 80% of Americans identify themselves as Christian YES we are indeed a Christian nation.

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  • by themyelinsheath on March 8th, 2009

    themyelinsheath

    No, it shouldn't be Christian or any other religion. People are diverse and you can't legislate morality or religion.

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  • by dtreleaven on January 2nd, 2010
    voted: No

    dtreleaven

    The US is a nation captive to religious fundamentalism and due to that sad fact is often viewed by the world as backward....70% of US people believe that the world is 6000 years old and was created in 6 days.

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  • by Divine Black Beauty on December 23rd, 2009
    voted: Yes

    Divine Black Beauty

    The U.S. was built on a Christianity since George Washington.

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  • by dfernandez on December 23rd, 2009
    voted: Yes

    dfernandez

    I believe that the U.S is a relatively conservative country when it comes to moral issues, and believe that this makes it a Christian nation

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  • by LarryH54 on December 21st, 2009
    voted: Yes

    LarryH54

    Christianity is not a religion. It is a meta-religion. The US was never intended to follow Catholic or Baptist or Lutheran or any other religious dogma. But it is intended to follow Scriptural principles. True, we have not always done so. But just because men are sinful is no reason to claim that we are not a Christian Nation.

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  • by broken_beauty17 on December 15th, 2009
    voted: Yes

    broken_beauty17

    I do have to admit that when the US was created, it was so that christians could freely practice their religion. That means we were created on freedom of religion, and everyone should still be allowed to do so, otherwise we would just be another Iraq or Iran where everyone is forced to live by some one else's views, and that is why we are called the land of the free. The only problem I have is that christians are being denied their rights because we are not allowed to display our symbols or say things such as merry christmas in many places, yet all the other religions can do as they please. I believe everyone is entitled to their opinon and can display it in a non-offensive way.

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  • by Tallyman on December 15th, 2009
    voted: Yes

    Tallyman

    Yes. Anyone with a rudimentary grasp of history knows that.
    I'm sure that the public schools with their state reliligion of Atheism has brainwashed the last and present generation into believing the revisionist history though.

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  • by SmallTownCelebrity on December 15th, 2009
    voted: Yes

    SmallTownCelebrity

    I believe the majority of the American public are Christian and most of the administration ARE NOT.

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  • by rabid on December 15th, 2009
    voted: Yes

    rabid

    If you check your religious history you will find that most of the people whe established colonies in this new world were fleeing the persicution of the Catholic Church. Any belief or point of view other than that of the Catholic Church was deemed heresey. new founded churches were sought out and those involved were beaten and often murdered for theid beliefs. That is one of the main reasons for our Constitution's provision for freedom of religious expression.

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  • by wildnative on December 14th, 2009

    wildnative

    Yes, it's a Christian nation, whether others want to agree with it or not. At least, it was in 2001, according to this website...http://www.adherents.com/rel_USA.html#religions, don' argue with me about, contact the website.

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  • by Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT on December 12th, 2009
    voted: Yes

    Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT

    With 83% of Americans identifying themselves as Christians, 4% as identifying themselves with other religions, and 13% not identifying with any religion, I think it is safe to say that the U.S. is very much a "Christian" nation. It is a Christian nation which tolerates the few other religions and also allows for open non-belief. The U.S. was founded under a Constitution which guarantees both freedom of religion and freedom from religion. No "state religion" was one of the first ammendments to be placed firmly in the Constitution. This does not change the simple realities, however. And it is unlikely that the 83% majority (Wikipedia) is going to tolerate any infringement of their freedom of worship or the expression of it. Silly to think so. If you don't like displays of religious faith, tough. Just don't participate. No-one forces you too. I don't like dispays of pornography shoved in my face, either, but as long as it is not illegal, or with under aged participants, I can't do much about it...except not buy it or watch it.

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  • by Catherine on December 11th, 2009
    voted: Yes

    Catherine

    We are a Christian Nation.....Get over yourselves if you think its not.

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  • by ryunkin on December 11th, 2009
    voted: Yes

    ryunkin

    Without Christianity as its foundation the United States will be engulfed by a monolithic and intolerant religion called Islam.

    Although I do not consider myself a Christian I do believe that without its influence the greater of the two evils will prevail.

    I use as an example the imminent destruction of the European culture. Islam is currently sweeping through the unprincipaled nations of western Europe, wreaking greater havoc to Europe than the great plagues of the Middle Ages.

    I can trace this destruction to the eradication of the traditions Christianity fostered that gave us our great art, architecture, music and even to some degree, although it came kicking and screaming, science.

    Although secularism may appeal to the head, the balance of Christianity is needed to soothe the European soul whether we actually believe its tenets or not and without it we are at risk of extinction.

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  • by Andrew on December 11th, 2009
    voted: Yes

    Andrew

    It may have slipped in recent years but it was in fact founded as one.

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  • by sauble0 on January 11th, 2010
    voted: Yes

    sauble0

    Majority of Americans are Christians, would you agree, if you look around what do you see the most of? Synagogues, Buddhist Temples, No we don't. We are a melting pot of people from around the world, but we have a Christian majority.

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  • by dawg75 on January 9th, 2010

    dawg75

    i see a lot of comunity churches promoting christianity, but if your asking me if the US is a chrustian nation my awnser would no. i aso see a number of temples. i dont know if this is because i live in a less populated northern illnios urban/suberban area but as a christian my self i dont feel that the united states if fully christian, like Vatican City

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  • by trmitch35 on January 3rd, 2010

    trmitch35

    there is no where in any governmental docuen that names the US as a "Christian religion"

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  • by kimberly4562 on December 21st, 2009
    voted: Yes

    kimberly4562

    The US was formed on Christianity, and I see God coming out of a lot of aspects of it. It is pretty awesome, but it is not as solely Christian as another country might be Buddhist, because there is such a mix of cultural backgrounds here. I am not bagging others, but a country is allowed to have a dominant belief, I would never go to another country and insult others or get mad because they have different religious views. That is the reality of life.

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  • by Football on December 17th, 2009
    voted: Yes

    Football

    it was. it was based on christian princables. that is why our country thrived. from the Bible "blessed is the nation whos God is the Lord..."

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  • by Siyanor on December 11th, 2009
    voted: No

    Siyanor

    I think the major problem is people are answering two different questions...

    The poll question is NOT the last question of the description. It's the title, "Is the U.S. a Christian Nation?" The inflectional phrase's head is a PRESENT marker. Yes, the U.S. was founded upon Christian ideals. That does not mean it is currently a Christian nation OR completely secular. It's neither.

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  • by thatsJustme on March 8th, 2009
    voted: Yes

    thatsJustme

    at one time it was mostly, but it has always been a nation where it's freedoms of speech,worship , etc. can be any's choice...
    if it were a "should be Christian "nation..how would it be a Liberty,Free Nation...so,no, it should not be...people came here and come here to be FREE....
    what would it say for us,AMERICA, if we became as other suppressed/controlled, countries/peoples in this world? we should be a country where other than Christian u have to worship underground or hide ur faith from the government...?
    mind u ,these FREEDOMS arent FREE, we have a military and men who fight to keep it this way...
    but i do not agree with other beliefs coming in and protesting and disallowing anothers,stopping others...as long as a Jew ,for instance observes his holidays,rituals, lives Jewish..he harms no one...Christians should be allowed also without offense taken , as Moslem, Buddhist all...
    but i do most adamantly ,disagree with wanting to take GOD out of money,courthouses, etc...HE was there first...and I see where any religion should take offense...they knew this when they came to live here...:)

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  • by KiwiBruce on March 8th, 2009

    KiwiBruce

    5 truly righteous people would have saved the cities of the plain, Sodom. Gomorrah. Admah. Zeboiim. Zoar. I have seen estimates made from the size of the ruins that about one hundred thousand inhabited the 5 cities. If this is the "End Time" and the USA has 350,000,000 people, 17,500 truly righteous people could save the whole country. We should be very Christian right now.

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  • by mzsnj1 on March 31st, 2010

    mzsnj1

    The answer to this question depends on what people believe "Christian" to be. The question is not in past tense, it is asking is it Christian now. The U.S. is not & has never been a TRUE CHRISTIAN NATION. Jesus Christ is NOT & HAS NEVER BEEN a liar, luster, slave owner, abuser, thief, fornicator, gambler, murder, rapist, drunk, hater,etc. Yet this nation was built with these demonic things operating in full effect, and they are even more so active as we speak. God has been blessing America, now I am praying for God to HAVE MERCY on America. We will reap what we have sown.

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