talon | A Christian Nation?

America is definitely not a Christian Nation, not in the way that Iraq is a Muslim Nation. I don't think any of us would want that, not even the most fanatical evangelical Christian would want us to have a system similar to Iraq's for surely they can see what it has done to that country and wouldn't want that for themselves and their own children. They would not want a country where there was only one recognized form of Christianity and every other religious expression would be illegal. They would not want to lose their right to change their mind about which form of Christianity they would choose - or even to choose some religion other than Christianity or no religion at all. They would not want to see themselves, their spouses, their children, their parents persecuted for holding a slightly different interpretation of their beliefs.

Those who espouse America as a Christian Nation are using sloppy language. They are lazy and giving in to the easy sound byte instead of the truth.

The truth is, America is most certainly a nation of Christians, not a Christian Nation, and it's not a nation of just Christians. When the settlers of America came here, they came from many countries and from many religious backgrounds. Even then, Christianity was not a single religion but many different religions sheltering under the name of Christianity: Protestants, Quakers, Catholics, Baptists, Calvinists. And then we grew some of our own versions of Christianity here - the Mormons and the Shakers spring quickly to mind.

Those who wrote the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution knew what they were doing in creating one nation from so many people of such diverse backgrounds by leaving religion separated from governance. The separation of Church and State means that the Church (any church, any religion) will not control the government, and the government will not control religion - except where a religion infringes upon the rights of those not of that religion, and to protect the religious of one religion from religiously inspired violence of another religion. No jihads on American soil, no Inquisitions, no witch hunts. With a secular government, our families, friends, neighbors, and co-workers can co-exist mostly peacefully regardless of their ethnic backgrounds or their religious preferences. Since ours is a nation that has traditionally welcomed immigrants from all over the world, this is essential.

Having Church and State separate strengthens us as a nation. Keeping Church and State separate doesn't mean they cannot interact together, nor that one doesn't influence the other. Religious tyranny is kept in check by laws that apply to everyone equally, regardless of their religious beliefs and adherences. Government is kept in check by the will and the heart of good people - and religion develops the goodness in people, whether that religion is widespread world religion or a small home-grown religion, or even of no religion at all or actively anti-religious. A great statesman (as opposed to the petty politicians with whom we are infested right now) not only embodies their religious ethics and beliefs, they transcend those beliefs to work comfortably and confidently in the secular world to see to it that the needs of all their constituents are satisfied. They don't cherry-pick who they represent in their districts, so there's no favoritism for this religion or that, for this belief or lifestyle or that one.

No one religion has a stranglehold on ethics, morality, goodness, kindness, charity, hope, love, diligence, patience, altruism, compassion, forgiveness, generosity, honor, sympathy, trustworthiness, wisdom, justice, loyalty, mercy, integrity, helpfulness, friendliness, hospitality, commitment, service, responsibility, spirituality, sincerity, dependability, enthusiasm, flexibility, perseverance, optimism, restraint, tenacity, hard work, or understanding.

America is a nation of Christians, not a Christian Nation. And we all need to keep that distinction in mind.