statue of jesus in front of american flag
Is America a Christian nation?

What could be more American than hot dogs on the grill, fireworks lighting up the night sky, and... Bible verses?

As we approach another Fourth of July celebration for the nation's birthday, the debate once again has been raised: is the United States a Christian nation?

It's a question that seems to come up every year around this time, and advocates on both sides fiercely insist they are correct. 

There are certainly compelling points of view on either side. Christianity is by far the dominant religion in the United States – both demographically and culturally – with Christian iconography baked into the very fabric of daily American life.

On the other hand, the Constitution makes no express mention of the Christian faith as a governing force in the United States, and in fact explicitly rejects the notion that government should endorse one particular religious viewpoint. 

“In God We Trust” vs. Separation of Church and State. Who wins? 

"One Nation, Under God"

Many Christian faithful would argue that America is absolutely a Christian nation.

Joining them are certain faith-forward corporations. Every year around the Fourth of July, for example, the craft giant Hobby Lobby puts out a full-page ad in newspapers across the country arguing that we are one nation under God.

Filled to the brim with pro-Christian quotes from some of America’s most important and influential leaders – including presidents, politicians, and Supreme Court justices – the ads seemingly argue that America is a Christian country through and through.

Faiths of Our Fathers

Much of the pro-Christian nation argument is that many of America’s founders were Christians – and thus naturally sought to build America on Christian values.

But it’s not so cut and dry. In fact, the faiths of the founders have long been the subject of debate among historians. Most of the founding fathers were Protestants, or at least raised as such.

But a philosophical movement called Deism, popular in the 18th century, complicates things. As it happens, some of the founders are believed to be followers of Deism. This belief system can best be described as a natural faith, the belief in a god – but not a god that intervenes in their creation.

Deists believed in the rational, not the supernatural. This inclination can be seen in The Jefferson Bible, a stripped-down version of the Bible edited by Thomas Jefferson to remove all supernatural elements, focusing the text on the morals and philosophy of Jesus rather than his divinity.

“In God We Trust”

So maybe not all the founders were devout Christians – at least not in the traditional sense we would understand today.

So what? Say proponents of the Christian nation argument. The evidence hardly ends there, they argue, pointing to the ways that Christianity is entwined with every aspect of our lives:

  • “In God We Trust” is printed on our currency.
  • Millions of school children recite “one nation under God” every morning during the pledge of allegiance.
  • Creationism is taught in some public schools.
  • Politicians invoke their Christian faith in support of one bill or another.
  • Women's health care options are dictated by faith-informed policy decisions

At seemingly every turn, Americans come face to face with Christian beliefs, phrases, iconography, or public policy – whether they want to be or not.

One could argue that many of these examples are relatively recent additions to American life (for example, the words “under God” were only added to the pledge in 1954, and students are not legally required to recite it). 

Their existence, however, at the very least indicates a strong Christian influence on both politics and culture that extends far beyond church pews.

An Opposing View

Of course, many disagree with this notion that America is a Christian nation.

One need only look at the Constitution, which makes no mention of God or Christianity. Indeed, the First Amendment explicitly establishes that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

Article 11 of the Treaty of Tripoli also states that “the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion.”

What about the Pilgrims? Some ask. While many (but not all) of the early colonists were Puritans seeking religious freedom, their arrival in the United States preceded the founding of the country by more than 150 years.

Local colonial governments also often persecuted members of their community for being the wrong faith (or simply for being “not Christian enough”), and the founding fathers definitively eschewed such practices by separating church and state.

A Christian Nation?

So can you define America as a Christian nation? It depends.

Legally, Americans are free to practice the faith of their choosing (so long as it doesn’t harm anyone), and there is no state-sponsored religion to speak of.

But culturally, America undoubtedly has more Christian influences than from any other faith – and it's not particularly close. The majority of Americans identify as Christian. And more recently, a re-shaped Supreme Court appears intent on extending the rights of this religious majority in some important and influential ways. 

What do you think? America: Christian nation or not?

112 comments

  1. Rev. Kev's Avatar Rev. Kev

    Is America Christian nation?

    No.

    It may have Christians in it but it also has people of many other faiths, or no religious faith at all. And our laws must apply to them all equally.

  1. Echo's Avatar Echo

    The founding fathers had a diverse types of faith, and decided that the bill of rights should state freedom of religion. That states the whole answer, not a christian nation. Many make up this nation.

  1. Joy's Avatar Joy

    We are a melting pot of faiths. One faith should NOT be claimed for us all.

    1. ServantOfJudgement's Avatar ServantOfJudgement

      Comment has been removed.

  1. Rev. SolomonSaint's Avatar Rev. SolomonSaint

    Separation of State and Church is a cornerstone of freedom; Freedom should not be touched...

  1. Shirley Jean Davis's Avatar Shirley Jean Davis

    I agree. America is NOT a Christian nation as the founding fathers wanted to be because religion can and is used to suppress people's rights as it has throughout the centuries.

    1. Pamela Kay Waters's Avatar Pamela Kay Waters

      Very well said.

    2. ServantOfJudgement's Avatar ServantOfJudgement

      True, it can do that. Since we have some great examples of nations without religion like China, North Korea and Russia, we know religion isn't a requirement. The common denominator to oppression is mankind.

  1. Michael Holland's Avatar Michael Holland

    America would LIKE to think they're Christians but it's anything but! If we were we would open our doors to immigrants, feed the poor, love the loveless and care for ALL humanity !

    1. Stephen P Singleton's Avatar Stephen P Singleton

      There ya go. The lessons Jesus teaches in just the four “official” gospels—loving your enemies; giving away riches, etc—isn’t found in the “Christianity” that seems to be followed by those who insist that this is the religion of “our” nation. A profit driven capitalism that exploits every resource to its depletion, demands endless expansion, and supports the violence of warfare to defend its interests, does not sound like an enterprise Jesus would approve of. In fact, he’s constantly reproving and upbraiding the wealthy and “entitled” through all of his gospels. So I’m pretty sure He’s not OK with the America we’ve become. As for Jefferson and his fellow Deists, I kind of like the “natural” God; the blessings (?) of “Divine Providence”. It’s a spirituality on the order of the “Higher Power” of the 12 Step Program and leaves monumental room for individual faith and worship of every shade and flavor. Add in the “high minded” words if the Preamble of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and one has the makings of a fairly impressive moral guide. (It would be nice if the Country actually made policies that lived up to these ideals, but I guess we’re working on that.)

    2. ServantOfJudgement's Avatar ServantOfJudgement

      Those immigrants contain terrorists, murders, rapists, theives and drug cartels from 170 nations totalling 20 million invaders. Largest invasion in history, watch your future dissolve. Lol. They're dismemberment us citizens like in Mexico, lol.

      1. Michael Hunt's Avatar Michael Hunt

        Where'd you get this fake news? Immigrants dismembering US citizens? If that was actually happening it would be all over the news, both mainstream and fringe outlets.

        1. ServantOfJudgement's Avatar ServantOfJudgement

          Michael,

          In Texas, and no, the news will not negatively cover illegal invasions. Nope, they wont.

          1. Kenneth Lafe Eric Sanderson's Avatar Kenneth Lafe Eric Sanderson

            And that's how you know so much about it - because only alt-right media 'covers' it.

    3. Steven Ferrell's Avatar Steven Ferrell

      But we also must consider how you would pay for all that? Remember the government does not make a product to sell to bring in income, the only money it gets is what it takes from the taxpayers.
      How much of your money are you willing to give away to those things.

      1. Rev Ned's Avatar Rev Ned

        Read Ezekiel 16:49. It might explain why Texas and Florida have been going through so many natural disasters and now pestilence (Malaria).

        1. Campuscoll's Avatar Campuscoll

          If you think God makes disasters of any kind, you are terribly mistaken.

          1. Rev Ned's Avatar Rev Ned

            I believe that, if out of all the religions in the world only 1 is true (as most profess), logic would dictate that none are true.

            That said, to hedge my bet, in case the Norse religion is the true one, I’ve made a pole arm and neck knife to be buried with me. Then when the Valkyries carry me across the Rainbow Bridge, I’ll have weapons to fight the Ice Giants. 😸

  1. Najah P Tamargo's Avatar Najah P Tamargo

    Minister Najah Tamargo USA

    I know that the Christians would like to proclaim it, but it IS NOT TRUE. There are many, many religions (and non-religion) belief systems in this country. So saying America is a Christian Nation is completely FALSE. Hence the reason our Founding Fathers insisted on separation of Church and State, as they were members of different religions.

    Granted, in the current environment, the Christians would LOVE to make it so, but it simply isn't. But what I find disturbing is the movement to FORCE Christianity down our throats. By the laws they are pushing thru they are trying to TAKE AWAY our 1st Amendment rights - governing who and who you can or cannot love, making a woman's body their business to dictate to, crippling our voters rights, persecuting immigrants, etc. They are literally taking us backward instead of forward.

    These are not "Christian" actions. These are the actions of a Theocracy. So calling the United State a "Christian" Nation is laughable!

    1. shiningwolf9's Avatar shiningwolf9

      Fanning your flame !

    2. James Riggle-Johnson's Avatar James Riggle-Johnson

      And yet they constantly claim we are trying to make them follow our beliefs. Christian Nationalism is the last thing this country needs. Let’s start imprisoning people for saying the earth isn’t the center of the universe.

      1. Campuscoll's Avatar Campuscoll

        A little harsh, but I get your point.

  1. William R Clapie's Avatar William R Clapie

    I had posted an eloquent reply but was confused about my password, SO. I will say no, NOT a Christian nation. Here is the info from a history website. "The founding fathers were a mixture of deists, Christians, and possibly one atheist". So. We are a nation of stubborn individualists. One need only look at any current news to figure that out.

  1. Matthew Mastrogiovanni's Avatar Matthew Mastrogiovanni

    Christians aren't even practicing the faith anymore. The religion has been weaponized, to oppress the non-GOP.

    1. Catherine's Avatar Catherine

      Organized religion oppress everyone, not only the non-GOP. Some are more or less honest about recognizing that.

    2. Lester Stanley Petrie's Avatar Lester Stanley Petrie

      You've got thAmen!

  1. Katelynne Shouse's Avatar Katelynne Shouse

    That's a HUGE NOPE!!!

  1. Pamela Kay Waters's Avatar Pamela Kay Waters

    There is no one religion in America.

  1. Dr. Zerpersande, NSC's Avatar Dr. Zerpersande, NSC

    The thoughts of two of the founding fathers…

    “The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.” John Adams

    “The day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus by the Supreme Being in the womb of a virgin, will be classed with the fable of the generation of Minerva in the brain of Jupiter. ... But we may hope that the dawn of reason and freedom of thought in these United States will do away with all this artificial scaffolding.” Thomas Jefferson

    Jefferson’s hope of the dawn of reason in the US still has not come to fruition. The problem is ‘thought’. The xtians aren’t really big on that.

    1. Keith Allen Steele Eash's Avatar Keith Allen Steele Eash

      Beg to differ. The Anglicans, Roman Catholics. Lutherans and Orthodox are the most biggest thinkers in Christ. We've got the theologians to prove it. Where have you been?

      1. John Robert Peters's Avatar John Robert Peters

        Most biggest? Your grammar is consistent with the sort of pseudo education preferred by orthodox Christians. Christians have a long history of biased education, selection of what "truths" are allowable for education, and confusing myth and methaphor with historic fact. Suppression of fact, denigration of science, and persecution of all opposition is characteristic. There is your most biggest truth. If Jesus descended on a throne of clouds surrounded by angelic beings He would likely shake his head and pop right back to te heavenly realms rather than participate in the bigotry, intolerance and narrow mindedness of those that claim to follow his teachings.

      2. John's Avatar John

        "Biggest thinkers...Theologians to prove it" An Oxymoron if ever there was one.

    2. ServantOfJudgement's Avatar ServantOfJudgement

      Dr z Plenty of founders were dripping with the water of life. You'll find Christians on the front line of anything of such importance as the freedom of mankind.

      1. Campuscoll's Avatar Campuscoll

        So, Servant, what does your comment actually mean? Christians have been on the frontline since our founding, but that doesn't mean they forced their ideology on the public. The Constitution guarantees the freedom of religion which also means a freedom from religion. Jesus could have changed the world to His way but didn't. Why do you think that is? John 18:36

        1. ServantOfJudgement's Avatar ServantOfJudgement

          Post attempt whatever, lost count. Just pointing to Dr z he's free to post his loathing feeling towards Christians because they did what must be done for that freedom. The sacrifice and loss of life is sluffed off like dead skin cells by the ungrateful whelps of this country.

        2. Rev Ned's Avatar Rev Ned

          The 1st Amendment states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”

  1. Stephanie A Willey's Avatar Stephanie A Willey

    "In God We Trust" and "... one nation UNDER GOD ..." are 20th Century additions to our currency and the pledge of allegiance and are in no possible way connected to or associated with our nations founders. The addition of "under God" to the pledge occurred after WWII early in the 1950's. I think the 1st amendment is clear about not establishing any national religion and the Declaration of Independence specifically does not mention God but instead refers "their creator" (small c) "... we hold these truths to be self evident ... and endowed by their creator ...", who ever one might identify as their creator.

  1. David Richard Procter's Avatar David Richard Procter

    Not according to the Framers of the Constitution, but as you can see, Republicans are trying to change this. First Amendment: "Congress shall make no law....etc." Well neither can the Supreme Court, but they have done. They have made law!

  1. Colleen McAllister's Avatar Colleen McAllister

    It is so sad to see so many use this forum to vent their hatred and bigotry. To simply answer the question, no we are not a "Christian" nation but are a nation that recognizes that beliefs differ but all of them matter. Pur forefathers chose to put the separation of church and state into the Constitution NOT to keep religion out, but to rebel against the Church of England of which the reigning king or queen is also the head of the church.

  1. shiningwolf9's Avatar shiningwolf9

    Greetings !

    I agree with all that has been said here, that the fact has already been stated, written into our constitution, and upheld by our early government leaders, before being re-worded, or twisted to mean something different, so, once again, it is the republicans (today's republican party) which is weaponizing religion, christianism, for their own political force to control people as a whole, and, recently, women's bodies, minds, beliefs, desires, and denying them their rightful place as an Equal in respect of being the Second half of the Human Race; not Man, but Man and Woman. The so called christian faith, had been in disrepair not long after it came into being after it's founder, called Jesus, for a lack of knowing his real name. And for those who want to dispute this fact need to do some real digging into history before replying. The teachings of this person was taken over by zealots of the faith, and later on by governments using it to control the populace, before our own time. Other faiths had similar down turns like it as well. So, is the U.S. of America a christian nation? In name only. And under power hungry politicians (on either side), who dare to weaponize it to even undermine any other Religion, or Faith belief.

    1. Keith Allen Steele Eash's Avatar Keith Allen Steele Eash

      You are so gaslighting it pains me.

  1. Maximillian Martin's Avatar Maximillian Martin

    ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! And never will be!!! It's not a theocracy and those who want it that way need to move to the middle east where their abrahamic religions come from!!!

    1. Keith Allen Steele Eash's Avatar Keith Allen Steele Eash

      Only certain Muslim groups wish to establish a. authoritarian state.

      1. David Arthur Lewis's Avatar David Arthur Lewis

        Not to mention the millions of Christian Nationalists who are currently working to overthrow democracy.

        1. ServantOfJudgement's Avatar ServantOfJudgement

          I bieve the FBI tagged all white male Christians as as threat citing Christian nationalism. If I understand the FBI correctly, they're worried these Christian nationalists are demanding the USA constitution be adhered to. As we know, supporting the founding document of a nation really means they want it dismantled. Sneaky Christians. Tricky.

          1. David Arthur Lewis's Avatar David Arthur Lewis

            More conspiracy theories from the ULC Troll Farm.

            1. ServantOfJudgement's Avatar ServantOfJudgement

              David,

              Didn't you say millions of Christians are working to overthrow democracy? That sounds like a conspiracy. My my, you aren't falling for a conspiracy theory are you? When the fbi says it you fall for it, when I say what the fbi said, that you believe, you call me a conspiracy theory troll. I must confess, I don't think you've had enough corn flakes this morning, you should have another bowl and read what you wrote.

              1. Kenneth Lafe Eric Sanderson's Avatar Kenneth Lafe Eric Sanderson

                SOJ you said "all white male Christians".

                DAL said "millions of Christian Nationalists".

                NOT the SAME group. Though associated by Christianity, it is a far cry from "Nationalists" to "all white male[s]".

  1. Krystina S.'s Avatar Krystina S.

    The attempt to make the United States into a Christofascist Autocracy is a perversion of the efforts by our founders to create a NONreligious state. Imperfect, but never Christian. A more perfect union did not mean weaponizing one type of Christianity to meet their warped "values."

    1. Keith Allen Steele Eash's Avatar Keith Allen Steele Eash

      First ofvall the Gounders never intended to make the U.S. a non religious state. Christianity technically has the same values if thought carefully . And if Christians get active we are nota Christian fascist Autocracy. Where is the intended autocratic ruler.

      1. Robert James Ruhnke's Avatar Robert James Ruhnke

        The pastors, religious leaders, and gop officials. Stop playing naive, Eash. You are a bunch o christo-fascists if you try to erase and snuff out everyone who doesn’t agree with with you Particular superstition.

        1. John Robert Peters's Avatar John Robert Peters

          Right on! Intolerance, bigotry, misogyny, homophobia, racism...none of that was taught by Jesus. If you don't like the term fascist, then at least acccept the fact that the "moral majority" is neither moral nor a majority and is an oligarchical self-righteous group fully intending to impose their psychocultural ideology on everyone. Orthodox have always played the heretic card against anyone opposing their narrow views.

  1. Marvin James Sawyer's Avatar Marvin James Sawyer

    Dr marv here with a thought. As the term providence at that the time of the country's founding was used instead of God it is taken by many that we as a country are to follow or worship God as our personal beliefs in the denomination we adhere to prescribes that's what MOMMA TOLD ME

  1. Bishop William Dusenberry, DD's Avatar Bishop William Dusenberry, DD

    All religions are attempts by one tribe or other, to personify nature, and to we Pantheists, and nature is synonymous with God (which is the only provable God).

    Pantheism offers the best hope, for unifying all intolerant religions into one unified religion, and to ameliorate the threats of global overheating and overpopulation at the same time.

    All the tens of thousands of religions (tribes) need to do, is to respect nature and to try to follow the Golden Rule,

    Arguing about manmade gods, has caused more human misery, than anything else in human history.

    “Imagine no more supernatural religions, it’s easy if you try,”

    “No more make believe Gods to die for”

    “Above us only sky.”

    1. ServantOfJudgement's Avatar ServantOfJudgement

      Comment has been removed.

  1. Charles Jude Platt's Avatar Charles Jude Platt

    I am a follower of Jesus. However, not all Americans are so, nor should they be. We are "One nation under God." Whatever you believe is the right thing. Who the hell am I or anyone else to demand others conform to their ignorance?

  1. Amber Fry's Avatar Amber Fry

    No. It's a nation with predominantly Christians of many sects in it... along with many other religious persuasions. Our founding fathers were mostly deists and masons who believed it was the right of the individual to decide. Every time religion tries to take a hard foot hold it ends badly and I'd really like for people to study the over all religiously run government and how things go so bad. It's worth the time and effort to understand it. Whether it's liked or not is beside the point.

  1. Paul Seldes's Avatar Paul Seldes

    America is NOT a Christian nation. There is a lot of history pointing to the effort our founding fathers made in not defining a state religion for our new nation.

    And more pointedly, too many "so-called" Christians use the label as a cover for plain old hate and racism. expressing hate for someone else's religious beliefs, faith, gender, race, etc is anything but Christian love.

  1. Thomas J Kasprik's Avatar Thomas J Kasprik

    I was raised Catholic and could not deal with the fear it projected. As a young adult I rejected my religion and belief in god. I remain secular and content with the way I choose to live. DO NO HARM I do not force my beliefs on anyone and expect the same from others

  1. Ralph A. Lawrence's Avatar Ralph A. Lawrence

    Many people seem to forget that many, if not all, people who left their European countries to settle in America did so to GET AWAY FROM government ruled by religion. Or do they teach that any more in school? If we were to have government by religion, whose religion will it be? Roman Catholic? Southern Baptist? Muslim? Latter Day Saint? Lots to choose from out there. The Founding Fathers knew what they were doing.

  1. Warren Calvin Wall's Avatar Warren Calvin Wall

    I surely will say that the United States of America was not created to be a Christian nation. Just read the Constitution and it is self evident. 1/3 of the signers of the Constitution were Freemasons. It is plain that the intent was that of the Freemasons themselves, only that one must accept a creator. Any creator. No specifics. Many people involved in the founding were deist. Whatever god you worship, or not, and how you worship whichever god, or not, is your business and between you and your creator. With the caveat that you must not infringe on the rights of others. If you consider the U.S. to be a Christian nation, it is solely because of the number of citizens that are Christian. Christianity has no legal bearing on the administration, laws or functions of the government of the United States.

  1. Megan Vanna's Avatar Megan Vanna

    Considering ower laws are based on Engish law which was written with the hand of the christian church. No, there has never been, and never truely will be a seperation of church and state.

  1. Alejandro Medina de Wit's Avatar Alejandro Medina de Wit

    Is America a nation? No. It's a continent that goes from Greenland to Argentina

    1. ServantOfJudgement's Avatar ServantOfJudgement

      Free trade and unregulated migration. Yep, America is a nation.

  1. Russel A. Kester's Avatar Russel A. Kester

    Great job on this article! It was well written and very balanced. Thank you.

  1. John Alex Paxson's Avatar John Alex Paxson

    In God We Trust does not state what GOD ... so it means the one YOU believe in.

  1. Charles E Rogers's Avatar Charles E Rogers

    When it come to our creator Commandments, The LGBTQ Community - is Leviticus 20:13 - If a man also lay with mankind, as he lay with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination and also the the same women with women. So these act of sex is a sin and a lie that these people are trapped in and need to be laid out of this lie. Not through hate but LOVE and the truth. Because when it come down to it, what our Creator,Teacher and Heavenly Father (GOD) has Commanded mankind to do is what we need to be doing OR our SINS will cause us to see the second Death. Also our Creator gave us the freedom choice so if people as an adult want to live in SIN and face the second Death that is freedom but leave the Children out this LIE.

    1. Tareq Asfour's Avatar Tareq Asfour

      Amen ! GBU !

  1. shiningwolf9's Avatar shiningwolf9

    May need to wait before seeing, but I posted a reply, but do not see it.

    Shining Wolf Shiningwolf9 Shiningwolf7

    1. ServantOfJudgement's Avatar ServantOfJudgement

      90 percent of my posts are not posted.

  1. shiningwolf9's Avatar shiningwolf9

    Why was my comment not posted ? I was not disrepectful of anyone, and upheld all the comments before me.

    Shiningwolf7

    1. ULC Admin's Avatar ULC Admin

      Shiningwolf,

      We're seeing a number of comments you submitted, all of which are displaying publicly here. Your comments may have required manual review, which can mean a delay between posting and publishing.

      As an FYI to you (and any other posters who see this message):

      The ULC blog system has a review process that requires most comments to be manually approved by our admin team. While we do our best to review comments in a timely fashion, we have other duties to attend to throughout the day that can occasionally cause delays in approval times.

      Furthermore, any comments that come through the system on nights or weekends may face additional delays, as the office is not typically staffed during those times.

      We hope that all our ministers know that we're doing our best to help their voices be heard, and we greatly appreciate everyone's contributions and engagement to these important discussions happening here on our blog!

      Thanks!

      ULC Admin Team

      1. Kenneth Lafe Eric Sanderson's Avatar Kenneth Lafe Eric Sanderson

        Thank you for the information.

    2. Catherine's Avatar Catherine

      Try emailing the website contact email address? I've experienced the same a few times.

  1. Rev David Drudge's Avatar Rev David Drudge

    Jesus Christ, where do we start with this Christian Semite Religion? This is not about a Country or a state. This is about present day exploitation of Christianity through deception and confusion. Jesus Christ saw himself as a saviour, or maybe the Son of God? This is and will always be a controversial subject. But he was born to the Mother Mary, the Mother of Semites. Today many people forget this or just do not understand that Anti Christian Semite is connectively directed at hatred towards the Anti Semite Jewish Nazi past, which is a distraction from both Judas and Christ, that were both Semites, of Hebrew Semite lands, one of which was called Israel, not the 1948 Israel as of today after the Nazi defeat of Hitler Germany.

    1. Robert Edward Szekely's Avatar Robert Edward Szekely

      Yeshua bar Yosef did not see himself as Mesach (messiah), or "Chosen by God". Others placed that title upon him. He was a very wise teacher (Rabbi), and a moral exemplar, hence "This is my son, in whom I am very pleased". The best any of us can do--professed Christian and otherwise--is to follow Yeshua's teachings and actions. As Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi (a Hindi and famous Indian pacifist) said, "I like your Christ, not so much your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."

      We must keep in mind when reading the OT/NT, that the Holy Bible is neither a textbook nor a history book. f Rather it is a book of hidden wisdom, requiring the reader to dig beneath the surface for its deeper and true meanings. Yet, most Fundamentalists treat it like its God's version of "Dick and Jane".

    2. Keith Allen Steele Eash's Avatar Keith Allen Steele Eash

      Immigrznts should be vetted. Certain.ones accepted, certain ones not. No open borders period ever. I could go on.

      1. David Arthur Lewis's Avatar David Arthur Lewis

        Christianity is the total and complete opposite to democracy. Christianity is all about kings, lords, and masters. Servants obey your masters. Women obey your husbands. Render unto Caesar. Bow down, sacrifice, worship, beg for forgiveness, or else! There is no room for compromise. That is why Religion is banned from democratic government - it is intrinsically un-democratic.

        1. Kenneth Lafe Eric Sanderson's Avatar Kenneth Lafe Eric Sanderson

          Well said DAL.

        2. ServantOfJudgement's Avatar ServantOfJudgement

          Wrong. Christianity is more like a republic. Democracy is mob rule.

          1. Rev. Dr. Father JJ's Avatar Rev. Dr. Father JJ

            slaveofjebus WRONG. your cristofascistism is a dictatorship, are you that stupid you don't get that? your Dog is a dictator, a malignant, psychopathic, misogynistic, pedophile who encourages followers to rape and kill children.

            seriously, that you could actually write "...more like a republic..." shows just how truly, stunningly, blazingly ignorant you really are. while I suspect it's too late to stop you, people like you need to be neutered so as to stop contaminating the human gene pool

      2. Joe Stutler's Avatar Joe Stutler

        We do vet immigrants. You're welcome to leave.

        1. Tony Steven Minish's Avatar Tony Steven Minish

          Not in the last 2 1/2 years we have not vetted more then a handful of the millions that have poured in.

          1. David Arthur Lewis's Avatar David Arthur Lewis

            Wrong. False. X-tian Nationalist Propaganda with NO basis in facts.

    3. Tareq Asfour's Avatar Tareq Asfour

      1st of all our Yashua of Mary/ Jesus Christ is from the tribe of Judah- Palestine not supposed to be called Israel using the family name of 12 tribes. We are not supposed have ownership of any lands, Im from the tribe of Judah also after the Israelites not listening to Prophet Moses to intermarriages to our Baal pagan women of philistines & phoenician's of Canaan(Levant) making us superior, but a dangerous blending in our forbidden Baal deities with using the very devilish Babylonian Chaldeans Tamlud, So how is it possible? Jesus is a Rome catholic christ while during his ministry it was Emperor Augustus Cesar Nero reigning. Actually christianity emerged with Emperor Augustus, Caesar Constantine when he transformed himself from Emperor of Rome into the 1st Pope of Rome and converted himself with writings of Pharisee Saul of Tarsus aka St Paul then later with Simon/St Peter.

  1. Rev. Ken Shostad's Avatar Rev. Ken Shostad

    It was until about 1962 when they [Globalists] took The Ten Commandments out of our public school systems, then all hell broke loose, and it's turning into a Sodom and Gamora in ALL respects...

    https://youtu.be/tHSS_V7DgAw

    This will answer many questions about the state of our country, since 1962, and how to fix it, put The Ten Commandments back into our schools...

    Zimmerman studied the downfall of civilizations and one thing they ALL had in common are the following 5 conditions:

    1) Alternative forms of marriage [men to men, and women to women, etc] 2) Feminist movement flourishes, women lose their inclination toward childbirth and childbearing, and reduction in the birthrate. 3) Increasing desire and celebration for adultery 4) Growing disrespect for authority, both parents and others. 5) Greater tolerance for sexual perversion; trans, LGBT, gay and lesbian, etc...

    Does any of this look or sound familiar?

    STOP ANY Gun Control https://chng.it/pgzVddhCGx

    https://www.qfs1776.com Go to the far right of the screen to click on the "Original Organic Constitution of 1787"

    GOD Bless the Patriots of this World, The Globalists MUST go, one way or another, LORD please put a hedge of Protection around us ALL... AMEN…

    1. Rev. Dr. Father JJ's Avatar Rev. Dr. Father JJ

      brought to you buy your local, friendly christo-fascist who wants to force x tianity down everyone's throat, even if it kills them. they want the x tian version of sharia law and to eliminate anyone who is not a practicing x tian...but eventually it will only allow one flavor of x tianity and the first to go will be the roman cataholics, after that...well you're all on your own if you allow these people to contine

      1. Keith Allen Steele Eash's Avatar Keith Allen Steele Eash

        Due to the fact that we believe Christ established the Church which was Catholic because it was and is universal. Same beliefs and different cultural practices but he founded one church. The Reformation was a revolt of those beliefs. Their denominations were founded by men, not by Jesus Christ. And yes we may believe in the basic doctrines we also differ how we define Seven Sacrements. Orthodox and Catholics believe in the same doctrines. Only difference is.mostly on the Papacy and how much authority he has over the election of Bishops.
        Protestant believe in 2 Sacremants. The other five are sacramental. We as Catholics believe they are equal in the sharing of Christ's grace through them. He wouldn't have meant them not be Sacrements if He had not acted and spoken so much of the greatness of these practices. Not enough time to go into them . The Catholic faith is universal and like it or not anyone who leaves it or born within the reformation and antibaptists churches are still Catholic. They have chosen to stand outside but are still apart of the Greater Catholic Church because they do share two of the basic Sacrements. They do not share in Apistolic Succession, except the Anglicans.

  1. Jimmy Moon's Avatar Jimmy Moon

    I believe America WAS a Christian nation until we elected a muslim into office. And to add to our downfall, slow joe got the sodomite law passed making it okay for sodomites to be recognized as being a real marriage. We have told GOD to get the Hell out. HE will do that until we repent, or America will fall even faster than we are now.

    1. Kenneth Lafe Eric Sanderson's Avatar Kenneth Lafe Eric Sanderson

      https://www.themonastery.org/training/sermons/the-real-sin-of-sodom-and-gomorrah-wasnt-homosexuality

      1. Russel A. Kester's Avatar Russel A. Kester

        Kenneth, that was a great link thank you. And a huge thanks to the ULC minister Corey Collins who wrote it. We do have some impressive members.

    2. Keith Allen Steele Eash's Avatar Keith Allen Steele Eash

      Amen .

  1. Anne 'Arie's Avatar Anne 'Arie

    I think America is predominantly a Christian nation.

  1. Rev. Elizabeth's Avatar Rev. Elizabeth

    I believe the majority is Christian. We are a diverse country and the same goes for the religious beliefs. Some are based on God, but they believe Jesus was a prophet, not our God’s son. Then there is the Quran, which it talks about God, but I didn’t see Jesus in it. It was a long time ago, so I may be wrong. They don’t call themselves Christians. So many different religions in our country and I don’t know all the religions in our country. There are many who believe in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit but don’t attend a Church. They say they have their own relationship with God and they call themselves Christian. I say to each their own. If they want to know about my God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit, I share with them. Many of the religions are close to our beliefs. I’m shocked how close the Quran is to our Christian Bible.

    Please, if you don’t like what I have to say, just say nothing. I get people attacking me in here and we are supposed to be Christian’s. There is no need for attacking. We all have our opinions and I respect your opinion. May your life be blessed with all you desire from life.

  1. Keith Allen Steele Eash's Avatar Keith Allen Steele Eash

    For all who commented on my posts have no tolerance whatsoever towards anything called faith. You just show that you're all a bunch of uneducated idiots.

    1. ServantOfJudgement's Avatar ServantOfJudgement

      Comment has been removed.

  1. Mrknowitall's Avatar Mrknowitall

    Sorry we are a Christian based nation and founded upon those beliefs which are also etched in granite all over Washington DC.......You don't like it, Leave, move, Get the F out

  1. Steven Frederick Gordon's Avatar Steven Frederick Gordon

    Not in the Constitution but in the Declaration of Independence, the term Creator.

    At the time the Declaration was written, England had just been through their own Wars of Religion and had seen what evil Establishmentarianism would wreak. We didn't want to have that kind of idiocy, and the Bill of Rights prohibited the Feds from establishing a religion or preventing the free exercise thereof.

    But they probably didn't intend that clause to apply to the States.

    Things have changed, communications are faster, the States have fewer rights and powers. Keeping the government out of religion is good for religion, and it's one of the reasons the US is the most religious industrialized country. If you want to corrupt the houses of worship, bring in government support. Or, worse yet, let the Feds dictate policies. One of the worst things to happen to religion is the economic support (in the form of school vouchers) of parochial schools.

    Yes, I have argued on both sides of the question. Because there is little truth in political agenda.

  1. Lady Celynia's Avatar Lady Celynia

    I do not believe we have ever been a completely Christian nation. The Constitution clearly states the government cannot establish a state religion.

    1. Keith Allen Steele Eash's Avatar Keith Allen Steele Eash

      I hate to say this but by Amendment that can be changed. I wouldn't agree because I do believe in the practice of religion but we were founded on Judeo/Christian values. Many of the world's religions do not accept those same values. Hence, when I state immigrants should be vetted some should not be allowed to enter period. Hinduism and Buddhism are naturally pagan and aren't really a religion but a political philosophical form of life. Hinduism naturally believes in a caste system. Buddhism is naturally a similar form. Islam is naturally a fascist political system not recognizing the rights of women. Judeo/ Christian values have helped to create a democratic system and morals through time. Of course, some will attack me. But, human rights were granted to us by God, not by man. The oldest Abrahamic faiths acknowledge this. Islam does not. All cultural differences must adapt to our moral values or we should not let them in. Open borders are destroying just that.

  1. Ronaldo's Avatar Ronaldo

    The question becomes; while Congress is not allowed to prohibit the free exercise of religion by the People, are the states also limited in the same fashion? The recent Supreme Court decision says 'yes, the states cannot prohibit the free exercise of religion'. Since our Founding Fathers knew the states would not always follow the lead of the federal government, they gave the states an 'out' in the form of the 10th Amendment. They expected each the citizens of each state to choose their own form of government and laws as long as they did not deny the basic rights for citizens as laid out in the Constitution. This system worked fairly well until we became a more connected, more mobile, and more global society, then the laws had to change at the federal level because the state laws were conflicting. Had those changes not been made, we might have wound up being a collection of 50 little feudal governments.

  1. ServantOfJudgement's Avatar ServantOfJudgement

    We were founded on biblical principals, all civilized nations are. It's interesting how the hatedd biblical laws are pretty much rolled into our laws. True, we've added a few hundred thousand pages of laws and pushed their rationale over the cliff to point of insane laws but we started well. Today There's no chance we're a Christian nation. Not even close. With the imminent hard times we're approaching, who knows? If we survive then maybe we'll be a Christian nation. You know how it goes, 7 atheists enter the lifeboat and 2 weeks later they pull out 6 christians....

    1. Michael Hunt's Avatar Michael Hunt

      Not all civilized nations are based upon biblical principles. There are plenty of civilized nations that were founded without any knowledge of the Bible: China and India are two of the largest civilizations in the world and neither nation was founded on Biblical principles. This is just a lie perpetuated by the "moral majority" in their quest to re-write history in their image where Christians are the ultimate saviors who can do no wrong. Plenty of religions share the same basic rules of don't murder and don't steal because it's easy to say, "I don't want to be killed or stolen from so lets make it a rule that you don't do that." No one needs a Bible to tell them that.

      1. ServantOfJudgement's Avatar ServantOfJudgement

        Michael Right. My point is to expose the universal truth for civilization building found in the bible to counter the 'fairy tale' mentality so prevalent here. I do not believe these civilizations adopted the bible teachings, rather its citizenry automatically knows these things as the bible says they do.

        My ultimate point is: One can believe the God speak of the Bible is bunk but one can't say the countless universal truths contained within are bunk for all civilizations have coded the same or similar rules into their laws. Such great timeless universal wisdom from uneducated, unprofessional goat herders. Pretty amazing if not unbelievable such a work of art would come from the bottom of the barrel.

        1. Kenneth Lafe Eric Sanderson's Avatar Kenneth Lafe Eric Sanderson

          Empathy and compassion are higher brain functions.

          This is what causes the fall of empires: https://www.nytimes.com/1983/03/17/us/roman-empire-s-fall-is-linked-with-gout-and-lead-poisoning.html#

          The foundation of productive morality is empathy - the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. One simple needs to understand that others do not want to be robbed, or murdered, or lied to, etc, just like oneself, and right behavior will follow.

          Why a person comes to this conclusion is less important. In secular thinking it is a rational discerning judgement to recognize others as oneself. It is the result of deep thought and understanding.

          In Christianity it is Matthew 22:36-40, which I am sure you know well. Let me point out that the second commandment is worthless without the first. The first, I submit, only exists to enforce the second.

          This is the source of the 'universal truths' of the Bible - that they are true independently of the Bible, and were long before the Bible, and will be, long after the Bible.

  1. Warren Calvin Wall's Avatar Warren Calvin Wall

    I surely will say that the United States of America was not created to be a Christian nation. Just read the Constitution and it is self evident. 1/3 of the signers of the Constitution were Freemasons. It is plain that the intent was that of the Freemasons themselves, only that one must accept a creator. Any creator. No specifics. Many people involved in the founding were deist. Whatever god you worship, or not, and how you worship whichever god, or not, is your business and between you and your creator. With the caveat that you must not infringe on the rights of others. If you consider the U.S. to be a Christian nation, it is solely because of the number of citizens that are Christian. Christianity has no legal bearing on the administration, laws or functions of the government of the United States.

  1. Lester Stanley Petrie's Avatar Lester Stanley Petrie

    You've got that right!

  1. JaZe's Avatar JaZe

    Mostly it is a Christian country with all the human failings inherent in it.

    But overall it is a multi faith country and it is very galling to have ultra anything forced on us thus taking away the right to choose. ☹

  1. Mary's Avatar Mary

    No it isn't. America is not a Christian Nation even after everything they have done.

  1. Eileen Perkins's Avatar Eileen Perkins

    We were “ one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Now we are divided by “under god”!

  1. P. Keith Benefiel's Avatar P. Keith Benefiel

    So which one of the estimated 20,000 brands of Christianity are we founded on? I like the Fellowship of Ockham. Keep it simple, seeker. Being nice is always the default position.

  1. Richard Lee Cornell's Avatar Richard Lee Cornell

    A American Indian might tell you otherwise. Since they were here eons before and one from Europe set foot on this side of the ocean. There is something else you are not aware of every culture that lands in America (US) comes in with their own type of religion. The Catholic Church is a Christian religion all others smell of sulfur. My religion is a (36- 4379249) religion and the rest of you your playing in the mud. Your God talks directly to me, and Mike Pence. The guy in Rome has a problem with wine.

  1. Dr. Zerpersande, NSC's Avatar Dr. Zerpersande, NSC

    Not according to a couple of the founding fathers. Adams clearly states that such is not the case and Jefferson thought xtianity was silly hokum.

    “The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.” John Adams

    “The day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus by the Supreme Being in the womb of a virgin, will be classed with the fable of the generation of Minerva in the brain of Jupiter. ... But we may hope that the dawn of reason and freedom of thought in these United States will do away with all this artificial scaffolding.” Thomas Jefferson

  1. Michael Chandler's Avatar Michael Chandler

    I love this…. How many have said America is not a Christian nation and quote the constitution. Yet. Look closely.. officially you may not be but the separation of church and state is getting very small and is definitely leaning towards Christian.. So maybe you all need to take more care over the rights you cherish so much because they do seem to be slipping away quietly…. Very quietly. I thought it was “rage against the dark” not sit back and wait for the lights to go out….

  1. Tareq Asfour's Avatar Tareq Asfour

    no it’s not. I don’t know what America is or was ?

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