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The '''United States of America''' (commonly referred to as '''the United States''', '''the USA''', '''the US''', or lazily as '''America''') is a North American nation that consists of a federal union of fifty individual states and the federal District of Columbia. Its origins lie in the [[British Empire]]: it was founded on July 4, [[1776]] with the signing of the [[Declaration of Independence]], and its independence from Britain was formally recognized in 1783, following the [[American Revolutionary War|War of Independence]]. The US is currently the world's sole [[superpower]]; it has the world's largest economy, and is recognized as having the world's most powerful military.

The '''United States of America''' (commonly referred to as '''the United States''', '''the USA''', '''the US''', or simply as '''America''') is a North American nation that consists of a federal union of fifty individual states and the federal District of Columbia. Its origins lie in the [[British Empire]]: it was founded on July 4, [[1776]] with the signing of the [[Declaration of Independence]], and its independence from Britain was formally recognized in 1783, following the [[American Revolutionary War|War of Independence]]. The US is currently the world's sole [[superpower]]; it has the world's largest economy, and is recognized as having the world's most powerful military.

Although officially a [[Republic]],  since the Presidency of [[John Quincy Adams]],  the United States has been governed by two [[political parties]] under the rules of a "Representative [[Democracy]]."  Those two major political parties are the [[Democrat Party]], and the Republican Party.  The younger of the two parties, the [[Republican Party]], was created in 1854.

Although officially a [[Republic]],  since the Presidency of [[John Quincy Adams]],  the United States has been governed by two [[political parties]] under the rules of a "Representative [[Democracy]]."  Those two major political parties are the [[Democrat Party]], and the Republican Party.  The younger of the two parties, the [[Republican Party]], was created in 1854.

In The United States' political life, the relationship between God and government is the prime characteristic differentiating the various political parties.

In American political life, the relationship between God and government is a prime characteristic differentiating the various political parties.

    

    

The [[Declaration of Independence]] supposes the existence of a God when it refers to "the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God" and says all men "are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights."  That statement was inserted at the request of [[Thomas Jefferson]], whose religious beliefs were more Unitarianism / Christian.   

The [[Declaration of Independence]] acknowledges the existence of God when it refers to "the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God" and says all men "are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights."  That statement was inserted at the request of [[Thomas Jefferson]], whose religious beliefs were more Unitarianism / Christian.   

It is established fact that most early The United Statesians came there for Religious Freedom. It is also an established fact that people did live here before North America was "discovered." The United States'[[Founding Fathers]] called themselves Christians, and acted as though the United States was founded upon the principles and ideals of Christianity.   

It is established fact that most early, non-Native Americans came there for Religious Freedom.  The [[Founding Fathers]] called themselves Christians, and acted as though the United States was founded upon the principles and ideals of Christianity.   

Despite their own beliefs however,  the [[Founding Fathers]] specifically placed into the [[First Amendment]] to the [[U.S. Constitution]] a statement that the government cannot interfere in the conduct of religious groups, and grants "Freedom of Religion" for all faiths.  That statement is often referred to as the "Free Exercise Clause."

Despite their own beliefs however,  the [[Founding Fathers]] specifically placed into the [[First Amendment]] to the [[U.S. Constitution]] a statement that the government cannot interfere in the conduct of religious groups, and grants "Freedom of Religion" for all faiths.  That statement is often referred to as the "Free Exercise Clause."

This is important to understand, as in recent decades,  the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] has re-interpreted this clause to represent an actual, "physical separation" of Religion from Government.  This "separation of Church and State" interpretation has become a continuing source of conflict in United States' society.  

This is important to understand, as in recent decades,  the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] has re-interpreted this clause to represent an actual, "physical separation" of Religion from Government.  This "separation of Church and State" interpretation has become a continuing source of conflict in United States' society.  

In The United States today, what political party one belongs to is sometimes determined by their personal view of the relationship between "God and government." To this group of people, all other social issues, whether they be abortion, euthanasia, freedom of speech, cloning, etc. are all subservient in one way or another to an individuals' view of "God and government." Another way to gauge one's political beliefs is by considering the relationship between "freedom and government."

In the United States today, what political party one belongs to is often determined by one's personal view of the relationship between "God and government",  or "freedom and government." To these groups of people, all other social issues, whether they be abortion, euthanasia, freedom of speech, cloning, etc. are all subserviant in one way or another to an individuals' view of "God and government," and what "freedoms" will be impacted thereof.

The [[Republican Party]] does not believe in a "physical separation" between Church and State.  The [[Democrat Party]] firmly believes in that "physical separation."

The [[Republican Party]] does not believe in a "physical separation" between Church and State.  The [[Democrat Party]] firmly believes in that "physical separation."