Was America truly founded as a Christian nation? In 2009, President Barak Obama made the statement that Americans “do not consider ourselves a Christian nation” (Barton, 2009). In spite of the two – thirds majority that allegedly claims that it considers America to be a Christian nation, the idea that it is not is still prevalent today. This notion is rampant because of a lack of the knowledge of the true American founding brought on by the twisted view of history taught and believed today. Liberal media, teachers, authors, etc., adamantly deny the Christian roots of the United States. Despite the opinions of modern day liberalists, America was founded as a Christian nation by predominately Christian men which is best seen in the lives of these men, the events of the time, and the documents that were vital to the founding of the American nation. One of the paramount ways to understand the founding of America is to probe the lives of the men who actually founded it. Their words greatly show the principles on which they chose to found the nation. Charles Carroll once said, “The great, vital, and conservative element in our system is the belief of our people in the pure doctrines and the divine truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ” (Barton, 2008) which shows that the motivating force for the men who campaigned American Independence was Biblical Christianity (Gibbs & Newcombe, 110). They used the Word of God to fashion the framework for U.S. government. As Noah Webster stated, “The moral principles and precepts found in the Scriptures ought to form the basis of all our civil constitutions and laws” (Barton, 2008). Also, Patrick Henry’s statement that “The great pillars of all government… [are] virtue, morality, and religion” (Barton,... ... middle of paper ... ...755 [accessed March 15, 2014.] ------. 2009. WallBuilders. Is President Obama Correct: Is America No Longer a Christian Nation? http://www.wallbuilders.com/libissuesarticles.asp?id=23909 [accessed March 15, 2014] ------. 2013. WallBuilders. Unconfirmed Quotations. http://www.wallbuilders.com/libissuesarticles.asp?id=138585 [accessed March 22, 2014] Gibbs Jr., David, and Gibbs, Sr., David 2006. Understanding the Constitution: Ten Things Every Christian Should Know About the Supreme Law of the Land. Seminole, FL.: Christian Law Association. Gibbs, Jr., David, and Newcombe, Jerry. 2003. One Nation Under God: Ten Thing Every Christian Should Know About the Founding of America. Seminole, FL.: Christian Law Association. Motte, M.I. 1840 WallBuilders. Sermon – Christian Patriot – Boston 1840. http://www.wallbuilders.com/libissuesarticles.asp?id=74 [accessed March 22, 2014]
The American political notions we practice today take root from early colonial times. Our political understanding had its genesis as early as the 17th century, which stemmed from the writings of intellectuals, such as John Winthrop and William Penn. Equipped with these convictions, both Winthrop and Penn brought about visions of how their respective colonies will be structured in the New World. John Winthrop wrote The Modell of Christian Charity as a platform to lead a group of Puritan refugees in the colony of Boston, Massachusetts. Also armed with his own political philosophies, William Penn’s Frame of Government of Pennsylvania constructed a settlement, which promoted religious liberty and individual conscience. Although the two founders wrote about varying principles, there were some parallels evident between their founding visions. Furthermore, by highlighting the outward distinctions and similarities of their visions, we can recognize the strengths and weaknesses of the two political structures. Ultimately, the explorations of these very elements aid in determining which community is more appealing to call home. In my case, the principle of individual
By 1763, although some colonies still maintained established churches, other colonies had accomplished a virtual revolution for religious toleration and separation of church and state. The Anglican Church was the only established denomination in England. In contrast, the colonies supported a great variety of churches. The largest were the Congregationalist, Anglican, and German churches, but many smaller denominations could be found through the colonies. In addition to this, a high percentage of Americans didn’t belong to any church. These differences could be attributed to the fact that many of the Europeans who immigrated to America didn’t fit in to or agree with the churches in their homelands.
Religion was a key component to the construction of the early American colonial society. It shaped the beliefs and actions of the settlers within the society in many ways. Originally, the newcomers settling on North American land had main motives of owning their own land, increasing their country’s empire and gaining personal profit. Alongside those motives came the sheer desire to spread their religion with whom they encountered in the new land of opportunity. As stated, settlers set out to convert others towards Christianity because they believed freedom was found in worshiping God. Socially, if a person identified as a Christian they automatically were placed higher on the hierarchy. In the same respect, religion and politics at this time were delicately intertwined. Being Christian also meant the government heavily favored you and your peoples since you were to be considered influential in society. In the Maryland Act Concerning Religion (1644), John Winthrop’s Speech to the Massachusetts General Court (1645), the Trial of Anne Hutchinson (1637) and Roger Williams Letter to the Town of Providence (1655) one can notice the striking role religion plays both socially and
President Obama sat down with the President of Turkey and told him “We have a very large Christian population, we do not consider ourselves a Christian nation or a Jewish nation or a Muslim nation; we consider ourselves a nation of citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values” (White House Press Release). Although the United States has a large Christian following we also have many religions within our culture; with an ongoing conflict against citizens that are nonreligious, Atheist, Agnostic, etcetera. The two words that were added to the Pledge of Allegiance proves the favoring of religion in a secular government. Even though the pledge does have a loyalty amongst the majority of citizens, we should remove the words "Under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance because by removing the words "Under God" it will give equality to everyone, hold us to be a Secular Government, not a Christian Nation and ?
The Democratization of American Christianity, by Nathan Hatch, is written about “the cultural and religious history of the early American republic and the enduring structures of American Christianity” (3). Hatch writes to make two arguments: 1) the theme of democratization is central to understanding the development of American Christianity, and 2) the years of the early republic are the most crucial in revealing to process that took and is still taking place. The story of the democratization of American Christianity begins with the population boom in America from the Revolution up to 1845. Hatch writes that during this boom, “American Christianity became a mass enterprise” (4).
America today still maintains the separation of church and state, an idea that was founded by some of the earliest colonists.... ... middle of paper ... ... William Penn, Quaker and founder of Pennsylvania, soon after wrote the Pennsylvania Charter of Privileges and Liberties, a constitution for the colony of Pennsylvania, which enabled the people to freely practice their religion of choice without fear of government punishment. American colonies were clearly established with the intent to all live together with Christian beliefs, but with so many interpretations and versions of the same religious scripture, freedom to practice whichever adaptation feels right became most important in colonial life. And as a safe haven for those who were persecuted in their home countries, America truly flourished as a place for the religiously tolerant.
Fea, John. Was America Founded as a Christian Nation?: A Historical Introduction. 1st ed. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2011.
Religion in the New World exploded into the land with the colonization of thousands of immigrants. It played an important role in the development of thought in the West. Religion was one of the first concepts to spark the desires of people from other countries to emigrate to the new lands. While many religions blossomed on the American shores of the Atlantic, a basic structure held for most of them, being predominantly derived from Puritanism. Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement, showed the link the new settlers had to God when Sir Thomas Dale said the following in 1610:
Throughout the year Christians have strived to do the will of God. From to converting people into Christians to making a society pleasing to God. Christians in America have been present since the colonial times. In the late 19th century, they were still thriving in the United States. In the early 20th century they were still involved in the broader American culture, committed to shaping public policy and welcome in political life. But as time continued, evangelicals started to create their own subculture, no longer involving themselves in politics and the rest of the American culture. By mid to late 20th century, evangelicals saw that the nation was becoming further way from God and it was affecting them. They sought to partly reinsert themselves in the American culture and politics and found they were not as welcome as before. Even though they are not welcome, Christians must try to do the will of God by turn peoples eyes back to Him in everyday life and politics.
This country was founded upon the Judo-Christian Faith and the our four fathers who created our government were true believers. In establishing this great nation, they understood the inherent rights that God, their Creator, gave to all men. Within these rights given to all citizens, there is a statement that reads, ”that all men were created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.” (The Declaration of Independence: Full Text) They are endowed by their creator is referring to a divine power such as God. This nation was built upon faith and it often helped out in hard times such as, the attack on pearl harbor, as well as 9/11. Both tragic days in our society where faith and hope have been relevant in bringing this nation together as
The history of America actually begins in Europe, during a time of political tyranny and religious persecution, under an oppressive monarchy. Religious persecution began during the reign of King Henry VIII (1509-1547), as the king directed the establishment of a national church, and declared himself the presiding official. Subsequently (1558-1603), King Henry’s daughter, Queen Elisabeth, firmly solidified the “Church of England,” ensuring conformity of religious pursuit to the established doctrines of the Anglican Church. By the early 1600s, as the Bible became widely available to the average citizen, a public outcry demanded religious reform, and a return to less structured forms of worship. A group, labeled “Separatists,” believed the Church of England was beyond reform, and aimed to establish new congregations, basing worship, and church organization, on Biblical doc...
Around the time the pilgrims rebelled against King James in England, philosophy was abundant, especially that influenced by the belief in god. A majority of the governments around the world were monarchies. As far as our country is concerned, the pilgrims were the first to establish a covenanted government with the Mayflower Compact. This compact stated that all aboard the ship headed for the “new city of God”, were under the rule of God. Here is the clincher: even though it was a government under the rule of God, the agreement was that the people in God’s name would run the institutions of government. People executed God’s will his “permission”. In these times, people believe that they were carrying out God’s name and very will. These people weren’t bound together by caprice and whim, but for and out of necessity and deep-rooted religious beliefs. They formed a civil body politics so they may increase their chances at survival.
Thomas, Oliver "Buzz". "How To Keep The 'United' In United States: Coping With Religious Diversity In The World's First 'New' Nation." Church & State Feb. 2007: 19+. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 1 Mar. 2013.
The Constitution reflects our founder’s views of a secular government, protecting the freedom of any belief or unbelief. Some will argue religion, specifically Christianity, played a large role in the creation of this great nation’s government, the United States Constitution; however the facts reveal otherwise. The historian, Robert Middlekauff, observed, "the idea that the Constitution expressed a moral view seems absurd. There were no genuine evangelicals in the Convention, and there were no heated
Introduction: Neither the resolve of patriots nor the labor of men freed Americans from the hands of tyranny. The fathers of this nation, as well as those who fought for her ability to prosper were united by their unwavering faith and trust in God. The future of this world lay heavily upon their shoulders, yet they carried the burden willingly for the duration of their lives and passed it down from generation to generation. As a result, a new nation was born and grew into one of the most powerful countries of the world. Although America began as a Christian nation, it has pulled away from the fundamental beliefs that held this nation together. Despite their ancient predecessor’s emphasis on faith and Christianity, the current government has taken a more secular path. The legality of abortion and the exclusion of religious references in public institutions are a couple of examples how morality has been corrupted within the government. Society itself also forsakes the religious path, twisting the concept of morality to fit the lifestyles they wish to lead. David Barton uses line graphs to demonstrate the decrease of morality since 1950. Violent behavior, the circulation of sexually transmitted diseases, and the birth rate for unwed girls, has drastically inclined while educational achievement and family stability have dropped at an accelerated rate (242). It is apparent through the government’s choices, the media, and the attitudes present in average society that Americans have drifted far away from the principles on which this country was founded. Without a genuine faith and trust in God, American society will continue to deteriorate until memories of a once great nation are all that remains.