April 8, 200917 yr I would ask this, not just of you but of others with similar convictions, if Religious Liberty is only to apply to Christians in this nation, and our Government and systems must only allow Christian expression (irregardless of what form or fashion, i.e. Catholic, Mormon, Baptist, Jehovah Witness) then do we ban the practice, liberty or mission activity of any other faith like Islam, Buddhism, or Hinduism? I'm not saying my view is what I think should happen, religious freedom is better than what I think the law means, I'm just answering how I feel constitution should be approached. I don't believe forcing people to be a certain religion against their will is right, I'm just saying I believe that the original intent was, and as someone who really looks to original intent for meaning, I can't help but believe the original intent of the first amendment was to prevent a protestant/catholic type of war.
April 8, 200917 yr The very basis of the christian faith: Jesus says these are the two greatest commandments love God with all of your heart love your neighbor as yourself Where does capitalism, or social darwinism fall in either of these two categories? If our laws, and our ideas, and our principles are not in line with these then we are not a Christian nation. Simply acknowledging God does not make us a Judeo Christian nation. If we want to be that, we do not try to take rights and liberties away from people who are different from us, we love them, we make it easier for people to get health care, even if that means I make less money, we are good stewards of the earth for future generations . . . we are meek, we are peacemakers, we mourn, we give when we see others in need. We are not a Christian nation, but I think with this new administration we are heading in the right direction. There's no such thing as a Christian nation. Not on this side of eternity, anyway. You can't legislate Christianity. You can't force people to be Christians. And, people aren't Christians because they are American or follow some rules. It is a Christian idea to use what you have to help others. It is not a Christian idea to force other people to do the same. The current administration is heading in the same direction as the previous one...and the one prior to that. And, that path does not end with the United States as a "Christian" nation.
April 8, 200917 yr There's no such thing as a Christian nation. Not on this side of eternity, anyway. You can't legislate Christianity. You can't force people to be Christians. And, people aren't Christians because they are American or follow some rules. It is a Christian idea to use what you have to help others. It is not a Christian idea to force other people to do the same. The current administration is heading in the same direction as the previous one...and the one prior to that. And, that path does not end with the United States as a "Christian" nation. agreed
April 8, 200917 yr There's no such thing as a Christian nation. Not on this side of eternity, anyway. You can't legislate Christianity. You can't force people to be Christians. And, people aren't Christians because they are American or follow some rules. It is a Christian idea to use what you have to help others. It is not a Christian idea to force other people to do the same. The current administration is heading in the same direction as the previous one...and the one prior to that. And, that path does not end with the United States as a "Christian" nation. agreed I think someone may want to call an ambulance for me...I agree with everything written here.
April 9, 200917 yr Author Christopher Hitchens v Kenneth Blackwell on this subject: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/30114573#30114573
April 9, 200917 yr If it was our founding fathers intention to be a christian nation then wouldn't the U.S. have a national religion and wouldn't be illegal for U.S. citizens to pratice other relgions... I think the question is whether the Founding Fathers actually were meaning religion or protection of one Christian denomination taking over the others. My understanding is that they fleed where they came from to free themselves form the latter, not the oppression of the Buddhists or Muslims.
April 9, 200917 yr Regarding the founding fathers' intent on religious freedom: Surely, when writing such an all-encompassing piece, they envisioned that the American ideal of religious freedom would attract people of all stripes? If this country was intended to be a "Christian Nation," shouldn't they have put language into the Constitution stating that religious freedom applies only to Christian sects, and non-Christians need not apply? I think we give the founders less credit than they deserve for being forward-thinking. They too said you have the freedom of speech but yet can you write whatever you want in the paper you write for? We have limited the scope of several of the "freedoms" that the Founding Fathers listed.
April 9, 200917 yr Are the actions of "christians" determined by the inconsistant, interpretations found through-out the bible? Yes it says to turn the other cheek. The meek shall inheret the earth. I read, let other walk over you and your faith. It also talks about an eye for an eye? Turns people into salt. I read that there should be negative consequences for a negative action. As in most things today, if you do not see things the same as another, then the argument is that you are wrong. While I do think that we are a nation of believers, I think we are also a nation of selfish, its about me people. We rationalize we do not have to carry out the behaviors of the bible or the constitution. I don't believe that we act like christians,(believers), or patriots. Just my opionion, I will get off here so as not to offend any further.
April 9, 200917 yr Are the actions of "christians" determined by the inconsistant, interpretations found through-out the bible? Yes it says to turn the other cheek. The meek shall inheret the earth. I read, let other walk over you and your faith. It also talks about an eye for an eye? Turns people into salt. I read that there should be negative consequences for a negative action. As in most things today, if you do not see things the same as another, then the argument is that you are wrong. While I do think that we are a nation of believers, I think we are also a nation of selfish, its about me people. We rationalize we do not have to carry out the behaviors of the bible or the constitution. I don't believe that we act like christians,(believers), or patriots. Just my opionion, I will get off here so as not to offend any further. That's all people...becoming an American citizen doesn't change human nature.
April 9, 200917 yr That's all people...becoming an American citizen doesn't change human nature. ????? What did I say about becoming or not being and American Citizen?
April 9, 200917 yr ????? What did I say about becoming or not being and American Citizen? I'm sorry...when you said, "we are a nation" and "we are also a nation", I didn't realize you were referring to Canada. Just making a statement. You can go back to DEFCON 4.
April 9, 200917 yr I'm sorry...when you said, "we are a nation" and "we are also a nation", I didn't realize you were referring to Canada. Just making a statement. You can go back to DEFCON 4. It's not that, I can see your point. The U.S. Americans.... defend the religious rights of non-citizens as well, and so forth. I am sure that peoples religous beliefs all around the world are somewhat compromised by their individual beliefs that are not congruant with the religous teaching. Baptist do not believe in drinking, yet they will throw their empties in the Catholic neighbors garbage. Then come Sunday the again will denounce drinking. I do not think this is just an issue of American Citizens, but the thread was about this country. I am not even at a Yellow Alert level. :lol: Edited April 9, 200917 yr by FootballisKing wrong word
April 9, 200917 yr It's not that, I can see your point. The U.S. Americans.... defend the religious rights of non-citizens as well, and so forth. I am sure that peoples religous beliefs all around the world are somewhat compromised by their individual beliefs that are not congruant with the religous teaching. Baptist do not believe in drinking, yet they will throw their empties in the Catholic neighbors garbage. Then come Sunday the again will denounce drinking. I do not think this is just an issue of American Citizens, but the thread was about this country. I am not even at a Yellow Alert level. :lol: :thumb:
April 10, 200917 yr http://townhall.com/columnists/DavidLimbaugh/2009/04/10/a_christian_nation So is (or was) America a Christian nation? If by that we mean that America is a Christian theocracy, that our government should give Christians preferential treatment, or that members of other faiths aren't welcome, the answer is an emphatic "no." But if we are talking about the ideals that led to the very colonization of this land, our declaration of independence from Britain, and the formulation of our Constitution, then the answer is certainly "yes."
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.