The U.S. was not founded as a Christian nation. (Deists, America)

[kai]

whether the founding fathers were deists,theists pan-atheists, or any thing else you want to call them is i think irrelevant. What is relevant is what they intended for the birth of the nation was it intended to be secular?

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by kai

whether the founding fathers were deists,theists pan-atheists, or any thing else you want to call them is i think irrelevant. What is relevant is what they intended for the birth of the nation was it intended to be secular?

Like everything else, I don't think that the founding fathers were all of one mind on this. For example, Patrick Henry did NOT intend for the U.S. to be secular. There was disagreement. However, I think that those who intended for the U.S. to be secular won out. And what's more, I think those who intended for the U.S. to be secular are the ones whom we more often admire.

[kai]

Originally Posted by lilithu

Like everything else, I don't think that the founding fathers were all of one mind on this. For example, Patrick Henry did NOT intend for the U.S. to be secular. There was disagreement. However, I think that those who intended for the U.S. to be secular won out. And what's more, I think those who intended for the U.S. to be secular are the ones whom we more often admire.

well i am of the opinion that because of the influence of religion in England in particular the idea was not to let that happen in the Americas, the freedom of people to worship but not to be governed on religious concepts, or for religion to be a prerequisite of any badge of office.

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by kai

well i am of the opinion that because of the influence of religion in England in particular the idea was not to let that happen in the Americas, the freedom of people to worship but not to be governed on religious concepts, or for religion to be a prerequisite of any badge of office.

Yeah, that's what eventually won out. My point is that there was a diversity of opinions on the matter.

In school here in the U.S. we are taught the myth that our country was founded by pilgrims who came from England fleeing religious persecution, and as a result the U.S. is secular. In reality, the pilgrims came to the "New World" because they didn't think that English Anglicanism went far enough in terms of reforming the Catholic church. They weren't necessarily persecuted in England. It was more the case that they didn't want to be around people who weren't devoted enough and so they went to America to found a new "City on the Hill." A new Jerusalem. Virginia was founded as an Anglican/Episcopalian colony. Maryland was founded as Catholic. Several of the original colonies had established churches (ie - state sanctioned religions). And a lot of people wanted to keep it that way. It was only because of the foresight of a few wise and far-sighted men, Madison and Jefferson chief among them, that the U.S. constitution ended up upholding the separation of church and state.

[kai]

Originally Posted by lilithu

Yeah, that's what eventually won out. My point is that there was a diversity of opinions on the matter.

In school here in the U.S. we are taught the myth that our country was founded by pilgrims who came from England fleeing religious persecution, and as a result the U.S. is secular. In reality, the pilgrims came to the "New World" because they didn't think that English Anglicanism went far enough in terms of reforming the Catholic church. They weren't necessarily persecuted in England. It was more the case that they didn't want to be around people who weren't devoted enough and so they went to America to found a new "City on the Hill." A new Jerusalem. Virginia was founded to as an Anglican/Episcopalian colony. Maryland was founded as Catholic. Several of the original colonies had established churches (ie - state sanctioned religions). And a lot of people wanted to keep it that way. It was only because of the foresight of a few wise and far-sighted men, Madison and Jefferson chief among them, that the U.S. constitution ended up upholding the separation of church and state.

very interesting!

[Charity]

U.S. WAS NOT FOUNDED AS A CHRISTIAN NATION.

Now I know what is wrong with this country.

[Father Heathen]

Originally Posted by Charity

U.S. WAS NOT FOUNDED AS A CHRISTIAN NATION.

Now I know what is wrong with this country.

Yeah, damned so-called "rights", "freedom" and "democracy" ruining everything! Why can't we be more like Iran or Saudi Arabia?

[Bouncing Ball]

I am so glad the Netherlands accepted that we are a bunch of religions all together so we don't have to fight over something trivial as what religion the people had hundreds of years ago...