"The United States is not a Christian nation any more than it is a Jewish or Mohammedan Nation."I wish people who so vehemently profess otherwise would take a few moments to review history.
And this humdinger is from Benjamin Franklin, on extending the right to vote to people without property:
"Today a man owns a jackass worth fifty dollars and he is entitled to vote; but before the next election the jackass dies. The man in the meantime has become more experienced, his knowledge of the principles of government, and his acquaintance with mankind, are more extensive, and he is therefore better qualified to make a proper selection of rulers--but the jackass is dead and the man cannot vote. Now, gentlemen, pray inform me, in whom is the right of suffrage? In the man or in the jackass?"
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That quote below is also attributed to George Washington.... so who knows who really said it?
["The government of the United States is in no sense founded upon the Christian religion. The United States is not a Christian nation any more than it is a Jewish or Mohammedan nation."
- George Washington]
Here is another Geo Washington quote:
"Such being the impressions under which I have, in obedience to the public summons, repaired to the present station, it would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being, who rules over the universe, who presides in the council of nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States.." "...Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation, seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency" From President George Washington's Inaugural Address, April 30th, 1789, addressed to both Houses of Congress.
as well as this one:
"It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible" President George Washington, September 17th, 1796
Even before the Revolution the colonies and early educational institutions were founded upon Christianity (Puritanism, or Presbyterianism)
April 10, 1606 - The Charter for the Virginia Colony read in part:
"To the glory of His divine Majesty, in propagating of the Christian religion to such people as yet live in ignorance of the true knowledge and worship of God."
November 3, 1620 - King James I grants the Charter of the Plymouth council.
"In the hope thereby to advance the enlargement of the Christian religion, to the glory of God Almighty."
Summer 2-4, 1776 - Declaration of Independence written and signed.
"We hold these truths ... that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights ... appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world ... And for the support of this Declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence..."
As the Declaration was being signed, Samuel Adams said: "We have this day restored the Sovereign to Whom all men ought to be obedient. He reigns in heaven, and from the rising to the setting of the sun, let his kingdom come."
On the same day, Benjamin Franklin suggested that the national motto be: "Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God."
September 17, 1787 - The Constitution of the United States is finished.
At least 50 out of the 55 men who framed the Constitution of the United States were professing Christians. (M.E. Bradford, A Worthy Company, Plymouth Rock Foundation., 1982).
Eleven of the first 13 States required faith in Jesus Christ and the Bible as qualification for holding public office.
I could go on, but that is some of the research that shows me America was indisputably founded as a Christian Nation. In addition, Harvard, Princeton, and Yale were all Chrisitan instutions, Harvard founded as a Christian seminary for young men. 'Truth For Christ and the Church' was its original motto. In its directive to its students it laid out the purpose of all education; "Let every student be plainly instructed and consider well that the main end of his life and studies is to know God and Jesus, which is eternal life. And therefore to lay Christ at the bottom as the only foundation of all sound learning and knowledge."
Are Jesus and God such a terrible thought?
Elizabeth -
Consider that at least 50 out of the 55 men who framed the Constitution were professing Christians; and eleven of the first 13 States required faith in Jesus Christ and the Bible as qualification for holding public office, AND the references to a Creator in the Declaration of Independence, AND the many varied quotes supporting God and religion which can be attributed to the founding fathers.
Consider all this, and then note that the Constitution references religion ONLY in exclusionary terms: "no religious test shall ever be required for office" (Article VI). "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion" - First Amendment, etc
Further, the Constitution contains no mention of God or Christianity at all. None. The constitution does outline the oath of office for president, (Art. II, Sec. 1, Clause 8), but this oath contains no "so help me God" nor any requirement to swear on the Bible.
It doesn't sound like Jesus and God were considered (or indeed, are considered) "terrible thoughts". It's not a terrible thing that the governing are men of faith (or women -- go Hillary!). Contrast the founding father's personal statements with the hard fact of the constitution. Jesus and God in Life: good. Jesus and God in government: bad.
Yeah, the quote was written during Washington's tenure and signed into law by Adams.
I see Darr has already responded. Here's your final question: "Are Jesus and God such a terrible thought?" Absolutely not. People should be free to worship or not worship as they wish.
Jefferson actually wrote: "All men are created equal and independent. From that equal creation they derive rights inherent and inalienable."
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