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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
It may seem intuitive, at first, to attempt to answer this question by focusing on government. But the best way to determine whether or not the United States is a Christian nation is to compare the...
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Arun Kumar
I am an Indian and being well aware that this website is US based, I do not have rights or deserve anything to declare that US is not a non-christian nation! Because many people in the world have come into the knowledge of Christ because of the sacrificial American missionaries who have lost their lives (Invested in Christ) in many third world countries. But now, it is more evident that situations have changed much, people have lost much of their Biblical standards. Much of the people are gaining interest in "Monism or Advaita" which is a part of hinduism. I do not mean the Hindu religion here, because Hindutva and Hindu religion are different. The devotions of the Hindu religion such as Saivism and Vaishnavism which were the off-shoots of the ministry of the apostle St.Thomas in the first century do not have connection with philosophy of Advaita (Monism). Many Americans are now being attracted to the self-destructive philosophy of the monism (Advaita). It simply means "God and I are one", simply implying "I am God". In India, it is called "Aham Brahmasmi". This is what being called as the basic concepts of Hindutva. Many Americans yield themselves to this philosophy and are spoiling themselves. I remember having read the statement "IN GOD WE TRUST" in American currency notes, which was a result of the devotion of the early Americans towards Christ, which was really honourable to God. It was also apparent that God blessed this devotion with immense wealth. But nowadays, this devotion is waning. I worry that this situation shoud not aggravate to the extent this verse mean "But many who are first will be last...." Matthew 19:30. We are in a situation to stand in the breach for America. God save America!
Glenn Harrell
A CHRISTIAN NATION? There has been much to do about this nation being “Christian”. How many Christians must be present in the populace to constitute? Does one or more unbeliever mess the whole thing up? Is this a majority rule kind of thing? The reality is that this is a nation founded on religious freedom, and in the early years perhaps the majority of people were Christian. But the inevitable has happened. Our Constitution has allowed people of all expressions of faith to join the ranks. Prayer in school used to mean a Christian prayer. Increasingly, it could be a Muslim, Jewish or Hindu prayer. Agnostics and atheists want their freedom of expression and freedom from ours too. If we accept the fact that we have never been a “Christian” nation, we can move forward without fear. Attempting to obligate God to make all the people in this country “Christian” is futile. Does this mean that we no longer believe and desire with God for all to know Him, the Jesus of love and salvation? Certainly not; quite the opposite. (II Peter 3:9) “Some people accepted Him (Jesus) and put their faith in Him, so He gave them the right to be the children of God.” (John 1:12) If we Christians do not a Christian nation make, then what is our purpose? We are Christ followers, his disciples and witness in a place called the world.The USA is a pluralistic nation where people of many faiths co-exist. God is not nearly as threatened by this invasion of world religion as we might be. He is not panicking. He is too busy loving (John 3:16) and we often miss out because we are fussing about trying to protect a title that never existed. Instead of allowing Him to love through us, we often busy ourselves with saving God and country. Instead of being excited at the prospect of personally getting in on the fulfillment of the Great Commission, we carry on as if God needs to chase these unbelievers out of “our” country. The “people of all nations” are here! (Mark 13:10) Why aren't we happy? Because we have an agenda not belonging to God. Like Peter, James and John, (Matt. 17) who wanted to enshrine the mountain top where God’s presence was seen, we too seek this brand of security. Does the bible inform us on what it means to be Christian in this nation? Yes. When Jesus birthed His church, and when they were first called Christians at Antioch, it was in the midst of a mission field. Christ followers often had to choose faithfulness over persecution. They were most certainly in a minority. Nations and cities were pagan, religious and nothing. Judaism was all about laws that had no hope of saving people. Jesus could have pronounced them all Christian and assured that only Christian people existed. Instead, He gave them a choice. From then until now, people most often want anything but the narrow path Jesus offers. The U.S.A. has much of the Jewish and Christian bible at the core of it’s laws and government. This does not make the nation Jewish or Christian any more than the Greek influences make us Grecian. The people in her democracy can change her laws as they choose and it is obvious that we as a country are always changing. What’s the worst that can happen as we do? We may continue to regress towards a way of life similar to those early followers. They knew the difference between standing up for God and taking up for God. God does not need us to put on the gospel gloves and come out swinging. He is not some impotent, fearful entity who cannot fend for Himself. (remember the 70's--the moral majority was neither) He means for us to trim our lamps, to stand firm for him, his Word, truth and justice, whether we are a minority or majority. We have been commanded to love and to tell — then leave the results of our obedience in his powerful hands. The USA is still the earth. It is a place of temporary residence for the Christian. (I Peter 2:1) Let us pray continually that God blesses us as we share his love in Christ with all. Glenn Harrell
Emo Tenorio
This nation's foundation was on Judeo - Christian percepts and heritage that served it well, in our very short span of time as a nation. But today like ancient Israel we've gone after every other false god to come down the pike, and the evidence of this folly is everywhere to see. The current rise in sadistic violence as is the game of knockout for no logical reason of profit or theft as crime was in the pass, is but a sign of this cultural slide. Jeremiah 2:5 We have foolishly spent the many blessings that pass generations were banking, for the future unborn generations and instead we have bequeathed to them a yoke of bondage. God is driven from every part of the public square and is replaced by every abomination that is now quite fashionable and said to be good. 2Chronicles 7:14 The motto God bless America But really what has America done to bless God lately? America was a great Christian nation, but in it's present state of rebellion and lawlessness, the republic has become just another godless banana republic. In the Lord's freedom to......warrior on
rogers ward
Contrary to many critics America is not only a Christian nation but the leading Christian nation. America was founded on freedom of religion, and that religion was and is Christianity. We fought the world and ourselves to preserve and overcome any and all non-Christian values. We have a country where we can practice our religion without any fear of retribution. We are and have been the most God blessed country in the world in all of history. The stories of the Old Testament were written on the Isrealites but for the Americans. We are the leaders in technology, business,military, science, percentage of practicing Christians and missionary work. This is no accident and it could not have been accomplished without the Almighty God. Being a Christian nation does not mean that we do not make mistakes, we are still growing. If this country fails it will be because the CHRISTIANS are not doing what we were called by God to do... praying, teaching, and evangelizing. As one adage goes, 'all it takes for evil to suceed is for good men and women to do nothing.' This starts at home! Christians should not be Christians on just Sunday morning but every day. If our government is wrong we should call them on it. If our legal system is failing we should seek Gods advice. We live in different times in a very complex society. We should seek God for new revelation, a rhema word for today. We are and have been the most God-blessed nation in the world bar none. This is an awesome responsibility. The question is what have we done and what are we going to do with that blessing?
Steve Bookout
Simply put, a Christian is a disciple or learner of Christ. One who abides in His teachings, Acts 11:26, John 8:31. It follows that a Christian nation would be likewise. It should be clear to all that, as a nation, we do not abide in his teachings in either our government, our laws, our schools, our entertainment, our speech, our dress, or the values we exhibit each day. We are at best a pagan nation or even an atheist nation. This fact is seen in our skyrocketing national debt, our increasing disgust with our leaders, our mistrust of one another, our disrespect for the life and property of others, crime rate, drug and alcohol use, depression, gross immorality, etc., etc., etc.. Since we do not abide in His teachings, as a nation, we are not His disciples, we are not Christian, and we do not know the truth and we are not free. John 8:32, Romans 6:16.
Salvador Silva
John 18:36 Jesus answered, "My kingship is not of this world; if my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the Jews; but my kingship is not from the world." If you are aware of the above passage, you will realize that the United States of America or others are not a single Christian nation. Christian Kingdom or Nation is in heaven for sure!
gord chevy
Please be reminded, that portions of the "Declaration of Independence" contain verbatim language taken from certain persons, such as Thomas Jefferson, who believed in and espoused the popular views coming out of the movement known as the "Age of Enlightenment" or Age of Reason" (refer herein to the definition of "Enlightenment Age" following my comments). Therefore, even before the U.S.A. won independence from England, many of our deist founding fathers believed in a "man-centered" worldview as opposed to a "Christ-centered" worldview. Think about the contradictory statement taken from the "Declaration of Independence" as follows: "All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." Yet, subsequent to America's independence and for many years after, the U.S.A (our country) condoned, sanctioned, and practiced all forms of slavery (including, but not limited to, slavery of blacks and whites who were called "indentured servants"). Definition of "Age of Enlightenment": The Age of Enlightenment, sometimes called the Age of Reason, refers to the time of the guiding intellectual movement, called The Enlightenment. It covers about a century and a half in Europe, beginning with the publication of Francis Bacon's Novum Organum (1620) and ending with Immanuel Kant's Critique of Pure Reason (1781). From the perspective of socio-political phenomena, the period is considered to have begun with the close of the Thirty Years' War (1648) and ended with the French Revolution (1789). The Enlightenment advocated reason as a means to establishing an authoritative system of aesthetics, ethics, government, and even religion, which would allow human beings to obtain objective truth about the whole of reality. Emboldened by the revolution in physics commenced by Newtonian kinematics, Enlightenment thinkers argued that reason could free humankind from superstition and religious authoritarianism that had brought suffering and death to millions in religious wars." Bibliographic details for Age of Enlightenment Page name: Age of Enlightenment Author: New World Encyclopedia contributors Publisher: New World Encyclopedia,. Date of last revision: 3 November 2016 16:03 UTC Date retrieved: 4 September 2017 15:52 UTC Permanent URL: http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/p/index.php?title=Age_of_Enlightenment&oldid=1001194 Page Version ID: 1001194
Brian Ansell
If the US were a Christian country it woukd be full of chtisians and always have a Christian president who loves his neighbour as himself. Clearly that is not the case but it was probably based on some Christian values.
James Kraft
There is no such thing as a "Christian " nation. However, God does judge nations corporately as well as individuals. As a nation, we used to believe Christian principles. Both the unsaved and the saved. Most believe it is wrong to steal, murder, commit adultery, fornicate, and all the other laws God has given us to live by. And we also believe in individual freedom within the law. You can not have freedom with lawlessness. The two can not coexist. We only have to look at the nation of Israel to see when they crossed the line they were given in to captivity. This nation has been blessed by God as long as we stayed close to what He gave us to do, and lived by His law which is to love others as ourself. Or do unto others as we would have them do unto us. As Christians, those born again believers, we are blessed when we do right and chastened when we do wrong. It is the same with nations. As long as people obey the law of love for one another, we live in peace. I am old enough to remember never locking the door to our house, because no one would cross that line at least when we were home. If people never sinned, we would have no need for laws. But since we are all sinners, we have to have laws and rules to keep the peace. When the laws and rules get to oppressive, we lose our freedom, and when the laws get so lax there is no punishment for wrong doing, then we have lawlessness or chaos. But you can not legislate morality. Just because we have laws does not mean we don't still break them. But the laws do restrain evil if the people know there are punishments for breaking them. As believers, we are left here for God's purpose. To be salt and light. If we fail in our purpose and live in continual sin, God will take us out. We can not lose our salvation, but we can lose our life. Believers should live in the fear of the Lord, not that we can be lost, but God does chasten His children. We reap what we sow. When we do right, God blesses us, and when we do wrong he chastens us. But not all the bad things that happen to us are chastening as Job learned. As a nation, socialism destroys individual freedom and incentive to work. It takes from those who work and gives it to those who don't. In God we trust can not coexist with socialism. All nations who have gone to socialism have to remove Gods authority in order to become the authority. The government wants to take the place of God and rule over the people so that the people are dependent on the government instead of God. Whether we like it or not, that is where we are headed. Trump has only slowed down the inevitable. But the rulers of darkness are moving ahead with their agenda and are not outlawing bibles in California and other places.
Robert Hibbard
As both a long time Christian and long time history and government teacher I feel particularly qualified to answer this question. America is not and never was a Christian nation. However, there is no doubt that America has a Christian heritage. What's the difference? I'm sure for some it is a matter of definition, certainly for me. In none of our founding documents is Jesus declared Lord which is the foundation of the the Christian confession. Most of our founders were deists of some kind, believing in a Creator or even an active God, but weren't personal followers of Christ. Certainly, biblical principles were admired and followed in general. But the person and work of Jesus Christ is the basis of Christianity, and this was not evident in the founding of the country as the USA and its subsequent history. But this is not to say that there was no Christian influence in this founding. The Pilgrims/Puritans and other groups brought the faith in the beginning of American settlement before 1776, and the Great Awakening in the approximately mid-1700's certainly solidified a strong element of Christian faith, which was not shared by all personally, but accepted as good for moral guidelines. But even as the country developed we see there was little national commitment to Christ. And today we see a decline in Christian confession and reference to things of God. I would argue that most people in America today would consider Christianity, and religion in general, as irrelevant to their lives to any major degree. Remember that Jesus spoke of a narrow gate in following him, but most would enter the larger gate to their destruction. All this is not to say America is bad; I am grateful to be born and live here. But to call America Christian in light of the rejection of Christ as Lord in our history seems to redefine what being Christian is.
ben christopher
If we look at some Islamic countries, we can see how they profess and practice the Islamic code of conduct and the teachings. They don't care about others religious freedom. If you live in our country you have to live as what our religion says, this is the stand they have. But America has not stood for the Christian commitments and teachings. It has diluted its stand, and today in the name of Religious freedom, other religions were given importance by the American Government and less importance to Christian faith and life.
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