Changes

Within the Christian Right, concern over social, cultural, and political issues such as [[abortion]], [[euthanasia]], [[same-sex marriage]], sympathy for Israel sometimes expressed as Christian Zionism, the banning of teacher-led prayer in the public schools, and the reduction of overtly fundamentalist Christian perspectives in the public square has prompted participation in elections since the 1970s. Activists and intellectuals in the Christian Right work in a coalition of religious conservatives, operating through the Republican Party to promote their influence.  These dominionists sometimes make the claim that "America is a Christian nation."

Within the Christian Right, concern over social, cultural, and political issues such as [[abortion]], [[euthanasia]], [[same-sex marriage]], sympathy for Israel sometimes expressed as Christian Zionism, the banning of teacher-led prayer in the public schools, and the reduction of overtly fundamentalist Christian perspectives in the public square has prompted participation in elections since the 1970s. Activists and intellectuals in the Christian Right work in a coalition of religious conservatives, operating through the Republican Party to promote their influence.  These dominionists sometimes make the claim that "America is a Christian nation."

Dominionist authors look to 19th century court rulings for a different perspective on Christianity's role in government. [http://ecclesia.org/truth/rulings.html] They argue the U.S. Supreme Court has undermined the framers' intent for the establishment clause since the 1947 Everson v. Board of Education case.[http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/ChurchAndMinistry/ChurchHistory/David_Barton3.aspx] They claim the morality expressed in American laws, such as the Blue laws, passed during the early part of American history deeply reflected Christianity's influence upon the culture. Such perspectives were advanced in 19th century cases such as Updegraph v. Commonwealth (1824) and Holy Trinity v. Commonwealth (1892), which Dominionist authors frequently cite in support of their arguments. [http://press-pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/documents/amendI_speechs30.html][http://supreme.justia.com/us/143/457/case.html]

Dominionist authors look to 19th century court rulings for a different perspective on Christianity's role in government.<ref>http://ecclesia.org/truth/rulings.html</ref> They argue the U.S. Supreme Court has undermined the framers' intent for the establishment clause since the 1947 Everson v. Board of Education case.<ref>http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/ChurchAndMinistry/ChurchHistory/David_Barton3.aspx</ref> They claim the morality expressed in American laws, such as the Blue laws, passed during the early part of American history deeply reflected Christianity's influence upon the culture. Such perspectives were advanced in 19th century cases such as Updegraph v. Commonwealth (1824) and Holy Trinity v. Commonwealth (1892), which Dominionist authors frequently cite in support of their arguments.<ref>http://press-pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/documents/amendI_speechs30.html</ref><ref>http://supreme.justia.com/us/143/457/case.html</ref>

The Dominionist Chalcedon Foundation argues:

The Dominionist Chalcedon Foundation argues:

:"Based upon those premises, secularists would have to admit that at the time the Constitution was ratified, America was a full-blown theocracy. Sodomy laws, blasphemy laws, and even Sabbath laws were common in various states. If secularists are crying “theocracy” now, they would’ve marched in the streets of eighteenth-century America."[http://www.chalcedon.edu/articles/article.php?ArticleID=2308]

:"Based upon those premises, secularists would have to admit that at the time the Constitution was ratified, America was a full-blown theocracy. Sodomy laws, blasphemy laws, and even Sabbath laws were common in various states. If secularists are crying “theocracy” now, they would’ve marched in the streets of eighteenth-century America."<ref>http://www.chalcedon.edu/articles/article.php?ArticleID=2308</ref>

Now, they feel shut out, and feel the need to re-assert their presence as religious people with a valid perspective in the democratic political process and the institutions of the culture.

Now, they feel shut out, and feel the need to re-assert their presence as religious people with a valid perspective in the democratic political process and the institutions of the culture.

Few, however, articulate a position that could be called theocratic.  However, there is a branch of dominion theology called "Christian Reconstructionism" which teaches that the Levitical Law, including its harsh penalties, remains binding on Christians today; adherents would argue for a theocracy.

Few, however, articulate a position that could be called theocratic.  However, there is a branch of dominion theology called "Christian Reconstructionism" which teaches that the Levitical Law, including its harsh penalties, remains binding on Christians today; adherents would argue for a theocracy.

Another variation of dominion theology is "Kingdom Now" (also called "Latter Rain", "Joel's Army", and "Seven Mountain Mandate").  This branch has a large following within [[Pentecostal]] and [[Charismatic]] branches of Christianity, and teaches that in order for God's Kingdom to be established on Earth, Christians must take possession of seven "mountains" which influence society.<ref>As defined by Charismatic author C. Peter Wagner, the "mountains" -- also called spheres of influence, realms, and many other terms -- are Religion, Government, Business, Education, Media, Arts & Entertainment, and Family.</ref>

Another variation of dominion theology is "Kingdom Now" (also called "Latter Rain", "Joel's Army", and "Seven Mountain Mandate").  This branch has a large following within [[Pentecostal]] and [[Charismatic]] branches of Christianity, and teaches that in order for God's Kingdom to be established on Earth, Christians must take possession of seven "mountains" which influence society.<ref>As defined by Charismatic author C. Peter Wagner, the "mountains" – also called spheres of influence, realms, and many other terms -- are Religion, Government, Business, Education, Media, Arts & Entertainment, and Family.</ref>

 

== Critiques ==

== Critiques ==

Critics argue the claim that the United States is a Christian nation is of questionable historic validity (often pointing out the deism of various founding fathers), is ethnocentric, and reduces secularists and members of other religions (such as Judaism, Islam, and Hinduism) to second-class status.

Critics argue the claim that the United States is a Christian nation is of questionable historic validity (often pointing out the deism of various founding fathers), is ethnocentric, and reduces secularists and members of other religions (such as Judaism, Islam, and Hinduism) to second-class status.