Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

Debate: Is America a Christian nation?

2017-06-19T04:50:18Z

Coolguy: United States was never a Christian Nation.

==Yes==
:[http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/poll_of_us_christian_gx3ryO4cJ2tohJhf7KlbHP] --[[User:Jpatt|Jpatt]] 12:48, 28 December 2012 (EST)

==No==
No, it never was. United States was founded as a secular nation rather than a Christian theocratic nation. You have to realize that the founding fathers who used to be devout Christians
became deist later life.The are even articles in Conservapedia
that admit that Americans was founded as a secular nation
AND that most of the founding fathers were deists.
((See:[[Deism]],[[Secular]])) Besides I was told that the founding fathers were very religious at public school but I
found out that that is a lie that they taught me at school.

This is a message to you Christian conservatives:
'''we do not need a Christian nation,''' or a nation based
Bible rules. Instead we need to follow what Jesus commanded
:to preach to people of "all nations" (Matthew 28:19,20)
not create a theocratic nation.We need to supposed the
Kingdom of God instead, which is mankind's only hope
for peace and security. So creating a Christian nation
would violate Jesus command and the Bible.

Really if America was founded as a Christian nation why slavery
,racism etc. had happened in America?
Why are moral values declining in America?
George Washington who was supposedly a devout Christian had
destroyed the the homes of many American tribes and also
founding fathers like Washington had immoral lifestyles.That
does not prove that the founding fathers were devout Christians.
Reference to these quotes:
"The United States is not in any sense founded on Christianity".
John Adams.
"Christianity is the most perverted system ever shone on man ".
"Question with boldness even the existence of God....."
Thomas Jefferson.
"The United States is no sense founded on Christianity."
George Washington.

You conservatives still believe that the founding fathers were devout Christians simple because of your pro-American ideology.
But America is already in [[moral decline]].

==Maybe==

[[Category:Conservapedia Debates]]

==National Perspectives==

I will quote three scriptures only here.

John 17:16: "They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world" - Jesus' words in prayer talking about his followers
Acts 15:14: "Symeon has related thoroughly how God for the first time turned his attention to the nations to take out of them a people for his name." - James speaks up about how God chooses a nation OUT of all nations.
Daniel 2:44: "And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite. - Daniel shows by the prophecy given by the dream of a true permanent nation ruled by God that crushes all these kingdoms.

Talk:Founding Fathers quotes that mention God

2017-06-19T04:11:57Z

Coolguy:

==deletions==

I really don't trust a blog that sources anti-Christian material to deny "There is no king but Jesus." Second, the reasoning for removing Penn as not a founding father, he died before the revolution?--Jpatt 23:40, 19 July 2016 (EDT)

:Generally, the term "Founding Fathers" is used to refer to the Revolutionary generation, right? Those statesmen and and generals, like John and Samuel Adams, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, etc, who fought during the Revolution or were involved in US independence. William Penn founded Pennsylvania and was active in the settlement of the country, but he died 60 years before the Revolutionary War, and I wouldn't consider him a "founding father", anymore than I would William Bradford or John Smith. Founding Great grandfather, maybe. I don't think he should be included, but obviously, this is a judgement call, and I don't feel strongly enough about it to mind that much if you put the quote back/.

:The thing with the first quote, even if you don't trust the blog, the cite for the "We have no king but Jesus" quote is an unsourced secondary document, and one that doesn't even discuss the quote; just one of a grabbag of Christian sounding statements. So where are they getting it from? How do we know the quote is reliable? That's distinct from some of the other quotes on the page. We can be sure, for instance, that Robert Morris said "Religion is the solid basis of good morals; therefore education should teach the precepts of religion, and the duties of man towards God.", because that comes from an original source; a work written by Morris himself. So what's the original source for the No King but Jesus quote?

:I'm not sure that the blog is sourcing anti-Christian material, really. Its sources are Eades Home Ministry, Charles Jennings, John Ashcroft, Frank Warren Coburn, Rev. Clark, and Sir Richard Sutton. It might use anti-Christian material on other pages, I'm not sure. But regardless, it seems like if we're going to make a quote, we should support it. It seems like there's this tendency all over these days to find stuff that already agrees with us, and then just use it, not worrying about whether its true or not. But I know you're on Conservapedia because you worry about the truth, and you worry about what's real or not; that seems like it is, or should be, at least, the mission of Conservapedia, and it weakens the project, I think, when we allow ourselves to become to credulous, or when we shade the truth to fit our biases. That's not why I'm here, and I'm pretty sure it's not why you're here either.--[[User:Whizkid|Whizkid]] ([[User talk:Whizkid|talk]]) 00:12, 20 July 2016 (EDT)

::So many quotes are proven fabrications hence I try to find them in published works instead of say brainyquote. I am undecided on Penn. I would say he is a 17 century Founding Father who had enormous impact on the later formed Continental Congress. Though he wasn't an honorary citizen of the Republic until 1980.--Jpatt 06:43, 20 July 2016 (EDT)

== Founding Fathers as devout Christians ==

The Founding fathers where not actually devout Christians. They were actually deist,or at least Christian deist. Yes indeed they have made quotes about God and the Bible but at the same time,some of them made quotes that are critical of Christianity.

Refer to these quotes:

"The United States is not in any sense founded on Christianity ".
John Adams

"Christianity is the most perverted system ever shone on man."
Thomas Jefferson

You must admit that most of them were actually deist.
:WRONG. First, you're taking those quotes out of context, like so many others have done. Second, you never bothered to read what the Founders had to say, beyond those quotes. As homework, you're going to read the letters, speeches, and writings of both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams - completely, and at least one biography by an author who personally knew both. [[User:Karajou|Karajou]] ([[User talk:Karajou|talk]]) 20:23, 3 April 2017 (EDT)

::The problem with that claim, Coolguy, is that most of them weren't.
::"It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and Bible." - George Washington
::"Make sure you are doing what God wants you to do---then do it with all your strength." - George Washington
::"God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God?
::That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever; That a revolution of the wheel of fortune, a change of situation, is among possible events; that it may become probable by Supernatural influence! The Almighty has no attribute which can take side with us in that event." - Thomas Jefferson
::"Here is my Creed. I believe in one God, the Creator of the Universe. That He governs it by His Providence. That He ought to be worshipped." - Benjamin Franklin
::The list can go on and on. Those who pray, study the word, and seek to do God's will, trusting in Him always to do what is best should not be called deists. This mostly, if not entirely, a claim invented in revisionist history. --[[User:DavidB4|David B]] ([[User talk:DavidB4|TALK]]) 20:26, 3 April 2017 (EDT)
:::I'd guess that, like others of his type who favor revisionist history, Coolguy got his info on the Founding Fathers from the usual liberal-biased sites. [[User:Northwest|Northwest]] ([[User talk:Northwest|talk]]) 21:08, 3 April 2017 (EDT)

:::Each Founding Father listed on this site has their religious affiliation under their photo. All Christ followers.--Jpatt 21:17, 3 April 2017 (EDT)

::::Of course, this was probably a (successful) trolling attempt, but oh well. Northwest, probably s/he got the info from Wikipedia, or at least those who taught him/her did. --[[User:DavidB4|David B]] ([[User talk:DavidB4|TALK]]) 22:18, 3 April 2017‎ (EDT)
There is more quotes they made about religion:
John Adams:

"God is an essence that we know nothing of. Until this awful blasphemy is got rid of, there will never be any liberal science in the world."

George Washington:

"Religious controversies are always productive of more acrimony and irreconcilable hatreds than those which spring from any other cause. Of all the animosities which have existed among mankind, those which are caused by the difference of sentiments in religion appear to be the most inveterate and distressing, and ought most to be depreciated. I was in hopes that the enlightened and liberal policy, which has marked the present age, would at least have reconciled Christians of every denomination so far that we should never again see the religious disputes carried to such a pitch as to endanger the peace of society." -- letter to Edward Newenham, 1792

Benjamin Franklin:

"In the affairs of the world, men are saved, not by faith, but by the lack of it."

Thomas Jefferson:

"Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind and unfits it for every noble enterprise." - letter to Wm. Bradford, April 1, 1774

"I have recently been examining all the known superstitions of the world, and do not find in our particular superstition (Christianity) one redeeming feature. They are all alike founded on fables and mythology."

“Christianity is the most perverted system ever shone to man.”

"Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear." letter to his nephew,Peter Carr,August 10,1787

“Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man & his god, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between church and state.”

The Treaty of Tripoli:

"As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion,--as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Musselmen,--and as the said States never have entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mohammedan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever interrupt the harmony existing between the two countries." signed by John Adams in 1797.

Whether they were deist or Christian '''you must realize that America was founded as a secular nation and Christianity was
never the official religion.''' If America was really founded on Christianity, why is Christianity and morality declining in America today? I mean why is prayer banned in public schools.
If you still really think that America is or was a Christian nation, we must not forget the atrocities that America committed
such as the slavery of the African people, the civil war,racism, and George Washington was nicknamed by the Iroquois tribe and the language roughly translates to “Town Destroyer” or “Devourer of Villages.” That probably does not prove that Washington was a humble or
"God-fearing" Christian since Washington destroyed their homes and had genocidal tendencies. A true "God-fearing" Christian Would never
commit such a thing since he must be humble and not seek power. A true Christian nation would never commit such atrocities like slavery and genocide(since it happened Native Americans which was known as The California Indian Genocide 1846 and 1870).A true Christian nation
would treat and will have always treat all ethnic group equally and fairly and will always strictly adhere to Biblical principles(not
heading for decline of Christianity and Moral Values) and would never seek dominance, power, or conquer the lands that originally
belonged the people(like America one did).
It seems though that the used to be devout Christians and later became deist and where are the fully aware of the bloodshed
and atrocities that Christianity committed. Or it seemed that they used to be devout Christians,but their doubts had taken over and later
became deist. --Unsigned comment by User:([[Coolguy]])

:Most of these quotes don't mention God. So user:Coolguy's additions here are just an attempt to show that we were never a Christian nation. The Pilgrims fled England due to religious persecution, it's was the King's mandated religion or punished. So they came to America. Did they come to America to practice Buddhism, Hindu, Taoism, Islam, Judaism, etc? The Pilgrims came here to practice Christianity. The Christian church, in all its denominations, has been here since the beginning. A church was in is every town since its founding. The government that formed was a government of Christian men who were fervent believers in Christ Almighty. Did they create a theocracy? Nope. It doesn't mean they were anti-Christian or anti-religion as much as user:Coolguy attempts to persuade. --Jpatt 19:35, 21 April 2017 (EDT)

Christian Nation

2017-06-08T03:04:44Z

Coolguy:

'''Christian Nation''' is a concept held among some [[Christian fundamentalists|fundamentalist Christians]] that the United States was founded as a "Christian Nation," then lost its way, and now should be restored to its original character.

==The founding fathers==
The [[founding fathers]] were religiously and theologically diverse, coming from several denominational backgrounds.<ref name="Holmes">David L. Holmes. [https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Founding-Fathers-Deism-and-Christianity-1272214 The Founding Fathers, Deism, and Christianity]. ''Encyclopædia Britannica''. Retrieved May 22, 2017.</ref> Their actual beliefs and practices are debated, but here too, they were diverse and must not be generalized.<ref name="Frazer"/> Some argue that the majority of the founding fathers were deists,<ref name="Holmes"/> while others argue that the most important fathers were "theistic rationalists," meaning they were not deists, but not necessarily Christians either.<ref name="Frazer">Dr. Greg Frazer. [http://masters.edu/the-faith-of-the-founding-fathers/ The Faith of the Founding Fathers]. ''The Master's University''. Retrieved May 22, 2017.</ref> Despite this, scholars agree that some founding fathers were orthodox Christians.<ref name="Holmes"/><ref name="Frazer"/> The founding fathers that were not Christians were influenced by Christianity in a culture where publically being a Christian was normal.<ref name="Frazer"/>

The founding fathers considered to be "theistic rationalists" did believe God was active in earthly affairs and that religion was essentially important to society because it brought [[morality]].<ref name="Frazer"/> However, they believed this to be true for all religions, rather than just Christianity.<ref name="Frazer"/> They opposed the establishment of an official religion but supported religion in public life.<ref name="Frazer"/>

Regarding [[Thomas Jefferson]], Peterson states Jefferson was a [[Theism|theist]] "whose God was the Creator of the universe ... all the evidences of nature testified to His perfection; and man could rely on the harmony and beneficence of His work."<ref>{{cite book |last=Peterson |first=Merrill D. |authorlink=Merrill D. Peterson |isbn=978-0-19-500054-2|authormask=2 |title=Thomas Jefferson and the New Nation; a Biography |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=1970 |ref=Peterson70 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XcOXEb0O4-UC}}, ch. 2 [e-book].</ref>

Jefferson was firmly [[Anti-clericalism|anticlerical]], writing in "every age, the priest has been hostile to liberty ... they have perverted the purest religion ever preached to man into mystery and jargon."<ref>{{cite book |last=Wood |first=Gordon S |authormask=2 |isbn=978-0-19-503914-6 |title=Empire of Liberty: A History of the Early Republic, 1789–1815 |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2010 |ref=Wood2010 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AWI8fmyhN5IC}}, p. 577.</ref> Jefferson once supported banning clergy from public office but later relented.<ref>{{cite book|editor=Finkelman, Paul |ref=Finkelman2006 |title=The Encyclopedia of American Civil Liberties A-F Index|publisher=Taylor & Francis Group|volume=1|year=2006|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UVgKAgAAQBAJ|isbn=978-1-135-94704-0}}, p. 921.</ref> In 1777, he drafted the [[Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom]]. Ratified in 1786, it prohibted mandatory attendance or contributions to any state-sanctioned religious establishment illegal and declared that men "shall be free to profess ... their opinions in matters of religion."<ref>{{cite book |last1=Yarbrough |first1=Jean M.|last2=Jefferson |first2=Thomas |year=2006 |title=The Essential Jefferson |publisher=Hackett Publishing|isbn=978-1-60384-378-2 |ref=Yarbrough2006 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iQGA8iIpZxQC}}, p. 28.</ref> The Statute is one of only three accomplishments he chose to have inscribed in the epitaph on his gravestone.<ref>[[#Peterson|Peterson, 2003]], p. 315.</ref><ref>W. W. Hening, ed., Statutes at Large of Virginia, vol. 12 (1823): 84–86.</ref>

==Acceptance among conservatives and Christians==
Many conservative figures reject, at least in part, the "Christian Nation" theme. President [[Ronald Reagan]] wrote to [[Norman Lear]] in 1984 to say that he was "not aware of any 'Christian Nation movement' and I certainly do not support the notion."<ref>Ronald Reagan, ''Reagan: A Life in Letters'', ed. by Kiron K. Skinner (2004) p. 642, Norman Lear was a Hollywood producer and an important organizer of secularism.</ref>

Many conservatives and Christians generally speak in terms of Judeo-Christian ethics and values, of America having a Christian heritage, or that the founding fathers were mainly, but not in entirety, Christian men. Most conservatives view both the Old Testament and the New Testament as co-equal contributors to American heritage.

Many Christians also believe that while not intended to be a Christian nation, "the ''principles'' upon which the United States was founded" were based on the [[Bible]], both the Old and New Testaments.<ref>[https://www.gotquestions.org/Founding-Fathers.html Were the Founding Fathers of the United States Christians?]. ''[[GotQuestions]]''. Retrieved May 22, 2017.</ref> Christians also point out that the founding fathers did not intend a "[[separation of church and state]]" as liberals and secularists envision it.<ref name="Frazer"/>

==Christian heritage==
Some people accept that the United States' heritage is mostly a Christian heritage, but reject the Christian nation claim.

Prior to (and during) the American Revolution, the involvement of preachers was well known.(See [[Black Robed Regiment]])
After the revolution, the involvement of the clergy did not end. It was common for election day sermons to occur.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=O1RgAAAAcAAJ A Sermon, Preached Before His Excellency John Hancock, Esq. Governour; the Honourable the Council, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 28, 1788. Being the Day of General Election], By David Parsons</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=72o0AQAAMAAJ A Sermon Preached Before His Excellency John Hancock, Esq: Governour, the Honourable the Senate, and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, October 25, 1780. Being the Day of the Commencement of the Constitution, and Inauguration of the New Government], by Samuel Cooper</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=HKFgAAAAcAAJ A Sermon Preached Before the Honorable Council, and the Honorable House of Representatives of the State of Massachusetts-Bay, in New-England, at Boston, May 26, 1779. Being the Anniversary for the Election of the Honorable Council.], by Samuel Stillman</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=OlRgAAAAcAAJ A Sermon, Preached Before His Excellency John Hancock, Esq. Governour; His Honor Samuel Adams Esq. Lieutenant-Governour; the Honourable the Council, and the Honourable the Senate and House of Representatives, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 25, 1791. Being the Day of General Election.], By Chandler Robbins</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Ve5CAQAAMAAJ A Sermon Preached Before His Excellency Samuel Adams, Esq., Governour: His Honor Moses Gill, Esq., Lieutenant-governour: the Honourable the Council, Senate, and House of Representatives, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 25, 1796. Being the Day of General Election], by Jonathan French</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/details/cu31924102767807 A sermon, preached before His Excellency Samuel Huntington, Esq. L.L.D. governor, and the Honorable the General Assembly of the state of Connecticut : convened at Hartford, on the day of the anniversary election, May 10th, 1792], by Timothy Stone</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/details/cu31924104014588 The duty of praying for all that are in authority, illustrated : a sermon preached before His Excellency Oliver Wolcott, and the honourable legislature of the state of Connecticut, at the general election, May 4, 1825], by Daniel Dow</ref><ref>[http://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/8295429 A sermon, preached before His Honor Oliver Wolcott, Esq. L.L.D. lieutenant-governor and commander in chief, and the Honorable the General Assembly of the state of Connecticut, convened at Hartford, on the day of the anniversary election, May 12th, 1796], by John Marsh</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLkvuxNgnJM David Barton]</ref>

== State Church ==
Countries with an official religion are not necessarily theocratic or Christian Nations (not in way Fundamentalists describe a theocratic nation). It only means that the governments recognize the church as their religion, yet some of these countries also recognize religious freedom.
<ref>[http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/07/22/in-30-countries-heads-of-state-must-belong-to-a-certain-religion/]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Political Terms]]
[[Category:Fundamentalism]]
[[Category:Religion and Politics]]

Talk:Conservapedia

2017-06-08T02:44:06Z

Coolguy: Sign my username.

I'm a bit confused about the following statement from the about conservapedia page- "When a student handed in her paper using the date-markers “BCE” and "CE” from Wikipedia, Schlafly realized that Wikipedia, despite its claim of neutrality, contained bias against the achievements of Christianity and conservatism."

I am not expressing any opinion whether or not Wikipedia contains bias in general. Conservapedia's bias page defines bias on encyclopedia as follows- "In works describing a potentially controversial topic, bias refers to the tendency of an author who holds a particular viewpoint to express that viewpoint (whether intentionally or subconsciously) in his work."

BCE and CE specifically can be understood to mean before Christian era and Christian era or before Common era and Common era. It is a current academic trend meant to avoid holding a particular viewpoint to express that viewpoint, ie- to avoid bias. The term is meant to specifically avoid suggesting any viewpoint regarding Christianity, Islam, Judaism, or any other religion. The above statement thus confuses me. By definition, a lack of bias will endeavor to not lean in any direction, and how that is interpreted as a bias against the achievements of Christianity perplexes me. In actuality, a claim for bias by the usage BCE and CE can be made more so for every other religions, as it signifies using the Christian dating of the calendar, revolving around Jesus' birth, and not any other calendar, such as the Muslim one (which revolves around Mohammed's Higra) or the Jewish one (which revolves around the creation of all of humanity in the Garden of Eden).

I would appreciate a clarification. Thank you.

Where are the claims of bias? The controversial aspects? [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reliability_of_Wikipedia#Notable_incidents Even Wikipedia says] it has been controversial. --[[User:Gert3|Gert3]] 09:07, 13 July 2010 (EDT)

== Cannot edit? ==

When I view this page the "edit button" isn't there, is this a purposeful measure? I wanted to change ''...Conservapedia originally contained mostly history articles, it has grown over '''two years''' to be a general reference...'' because if Conservapedia was launched in 2006 that would make it nearly 5 years old. [[User:MaxFletcher|MaxFletcher]] 22:07, 14 March 2011 (EDT)
: I think that means the page has been 'protected'. Only some of the more senior users (administrators?) have access. You can ask for it to be temporarily unprotected, probably ask ASchlafly. [[User:CharlieJ|CharlieJ]] 22:17, 14 March 2011 (EDT)
::I think I have already bothered him enough today (I couldn't find the help index despite it being right in the menu!). Hopefully a senior user will see this. [[User:MaxFletcher|MaxFletcher]] 22:23, 14 March 2011 (EDT)
:::Hi Max, good catch! I made that change for you: I made it "grown over several years". If there were any other changes you wanted to make, let me know or I'll unlock the article for you. [[User:AddisonDM|AddisonDM]] 13:07, 15 March 2011 (EDT)
::::Thanks Addison! [[User:MaxFletcher|MaxFletcher]] 15:27, 15 March 2011 (EDT)

== Differences with Wikipedia Section ==

Under this section, it might be helpful to add a wiki link to this page: [[Conservapedia:How Conservapedia Differs from Wikipedia]]. One of the better differences, in my opinion, is that Conservapedia allows primary sources while Wikipedia does not. According to Wikipedia, if the liberal media has not mentioned it, then it must not exist. This is the same tactic liberals used when [[ClimateGate]] went public; they simply ignored the story and hoped it would disappear.

Secondary sources can be very helpful in explaining a more complex topic, but an encyclopedic approach would be to cite the primary and secondary sources, which Wikipedia does not allow. This means that Wikipedia is a source for less reliable, second-hand citations; unless a page is completely unrelated to politics of any kind, Wikipedia references mostly liberal opinions with a bias view discussing a primary source. Even then, Wikipedia's non-political pages still can't use primary research as a citation. In my opinion, primary sources are more encyclopedic than the opinions of HuffPo writers, MSNBC reporters and the vast liberal media machine. [[User:DerekE|DerekE]] 21:32, 19 August 2011 (EDT)

: Wow, that's a superb insight! I added the link as you suggested.--[[User:Aschlafly|Andy Schlafly]] 21:55, 19 August 2011 (EDT)

== Blocked user listed as influential ==
In the "influential users" list, "JacobB" is still listed even though that user was blocked for inserting false information. Was leaving this user on the list intended or an oversight? [[User:CWest|CWest]] 12:41, 8 June 2012 (EDT)

The following was mailed to me by SamHB. [[User:JudyJ|JudyJ]] 14:29, 10 June 2012 (EDT)

I take exception to the suggestion that user JacobB was "blocked for inserting false information". That is not true. Jacob was more knowledgeable about mathematics than everyone here, past or present, put together. He was caught up in some kind of internet password spoofing incident, and the "good guys vs. traitors" mindset kicked in. I believe he was allowed to come back briefly, but he quickly lost interest and moved on to other things. In his case, grad school in mathematics. He never inserted false information. You should show some respect, OK? If his user page showing as a redlink bothers you, why not just restore the page?

Another matter. While I had bitter fights with Terry Koeckritz, I was saddened to learn of his death. I think the existing entry does not show respect the way it should. The phrase "RIP" is used in many ways, from extremely solemn (Requiescat In Pacem) to downright silly and flippant (hanging an "RIP" sign on a computer.) Someone reading his entry wouldn't really know what was intended. They could even conclude that he was simply banned. I would suggest changing the line to something like

*[[User:TK|TK]] made many substantive contributions since coming to Conservapedia in 2007, and was known for his vigilance against vandals prior to his sudden passing in December, 2010.

:I meant no disrespect. I was not the one that made the block; I only joined this site about a week ago. Personally, the red link does not bother me; I did notice it and checked the reason for the block, but I simply wanted to check with the sysops. Even if I did restore the page, it may be deleted again anyway. There has been another instance where I redid something a sysop had undone and I caught some heat for it. I do not wish for that to happen again. Also, as I did not mention anything to do with that second paragraph, I will leave that part alone without replying. [[User:CWest|CWest]] 09:40, 11 June 2012 (EDT)

== Only for Americans? ==

I read people stating one forum that this site is only accessible to American IPs, with people from other countries complaining that they were not given access, though a Canadian said he did manage to get in. Is this true, or just propaganda? I'm moving to Israel, so I'd still like to be able to access this site.--[[User:Pubjabi20|Pubjabi20]] 17:57, 23 July 2012 (EDT)

:Conservapedia is available worldwide, and you should be able to access this site without difficulty from outside the [[U.S.]] Only a small percentage of international, anonymous proxies are blocked. Thanks for your interest.--[[User:Aschlafly|Andy Schlafly]] 18:03, 23 July 2012 (EDT)

== JacobB ==

[[User:JacobB|JacobB]] should be removed from the list of "Influential editors and users". He was a troll and has already been blocked.--[[User:JoeyJ|JoeyJ]] 10:52, 10 July 2014 (EDT)

== Alexa ==

Bad news - our Alexa rating went down 3,272 ranks from April to May, and now we're out of the Top 55,000. I can't tell if this is a decrease in traffic or just other websites increasing or not, but either way, our statistic is out of date. Also, pageviews, time on site, and search engine results are up.--[[User:Abcqwe|Abcqwe]] ([[User talk:Abcqwe|talk]]) 18:19, 4 May 2017 (EDT)
:Page views & site time up? I guess we gotta concentrate on quality over quantity right now. [[User:RobSmith|RobS]][[User talk:RobSmith|''The coup plotters won, for now'']] 21:59, 4 May 2017 (EDT)

== Books mentioning Conservapedia ==

These are all excerpts from books, found in Google Books, that mention Conservapedia:

{{cquote|While Wikiality is a humorous and entertaining concept, it does not relate to real world politics. Take, for example, Conservapedia, the online encyclopedia inaugurated by the son of arch-conservative Phyllis Schlafly as a "much-needed alternative to Wikipedia, which is increasingly Anti-Christian and Anti-American. Conservapedia seeks to offer conservative definitions of contested words and terms, from evolution and global warming to dinosaurs and kangaroos. Though such an endeavor, on its face, is patently absurd, the notion behind the site is quite powerful. These are the ''real'' truths, the site proclaims, and the ability now exists for conservatives and Christians to create their own public space where they need not endure the falsities propagated by the Anti-Christian and liberal establishment that have dominated public thought in their ability to define the world. Such a site is the culmination of years of effort to challenge the cultural hegemony of liberal media, government, and academics, and it does so by the establishment and control of language upon which reality is built. Whether effective or not, simply by its existence, the site actively contests the legitimacy of other such locations for the establishment of definitional truth, be it Wikipedia, ''Encyclopedia Britannica'', ''Webster's'', or some other. It challenges its users to question ''all'' such informational resources for their ideological biases before using them.<ref>Jones, Jeffrey P.
''Entertaining Politics: Satiric Television and Political Engagement''. Rowman and Littlefield Publishers: Plymouth, 2010.</ref>}}

{{cquote|Some maintain that Wikipedia's sources should be checked since they are user contributed and potentially biased, which is a good idea; however after they have passed a series of internal "tests" the article reliability grows, although even at this stage there may be a liberal bias. Enter Conservapedia.com (http://conservapedia.com/Conservapedia) featuring a conservative encyclopedia, which features excellent articles from my sampling, and I would recommend it over Wikipedia, though its article base isn't as large. (http://conservapedia.com/Main_Page). Just remember that initially posted articles at Wikipedia have not encountered any evaluation. There is often an editor's notation as to any concerns within an article, e.g., "This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed."<ref>Weldon, John. ''How to Survive the Coming Economic Meltdown''. ATRI Publishing.</ref>}}

{{cquote|In comparison to Wikipedia, Conservapedia defines ... an impressive impact on public thinking and reaction as a cumulative result of collective knowledge.<ref>Costigan, Sean S. and Jake Perry. ''Cyberspaces and Global Affairs''. Routledge: New York, 2012.</ref>}}

Do you think we should include these in some section about Conservapedia's being mentioned in other works, or a section about praise of CP?--[[User:Abcqwe|Abcqwe]] ([[User talk:Abcqwe|talk]]) 17:38, 6 May 2017 (EDT)

== Conservapedia only in English? ==

Is conservapedia only in English? If so, why?
Should this website have multiple languages?
Many wiki so have many languages especially Wikipedia.
(User: Coolguy)
== ==

Talk:Conservapedia

2017-06-08T02:42:01Z

Coolguy: /* Conservapedia only in English? */ new section

Christian Nation

2017-05-25T21:24:18Z

Coolguy:

'''Christian Nation''' is a concept held among some [[Christian fundamentalists|fundamentalist Christians]] that the United States was founded as a "Christian Nation," then lost its way, and now should be restored to its original character.

==The founding fathers==
The [[founding fathers]] were religiously and theologically diverse, coming from several denominational backgrounds.<ref name="Holmes">David L. Holmes. [https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Founding-Fathers-Deism-and-Christianity-1272214 The Founding Fathers, Deism, and Christianity]. ''Encyclopædia Britannica''. Retrieved May 22, 2017.</ref> Their actual beliefs and practices are debated, but here too, they were diverse and must not be generalized.<ref name="Frazer"/> Some argue that the majority of the founding fathers were deists,<ref name="Holmes"/> while others argue that the most important fathers were "theistic rationalists," meaning they were not deists, but not necessarily Christians either.<ref name="Frazer">Dr. Greg Frazer. [http://masters.edu/the-faith-of-the-founding-fathers/ The Faith of the Founding Fathers]. ''The Master's University''. Retrieved May 22, 2017.</ref> Despite this, scholars agree that some founding fathers were orthodox Christians.<ref name="Holmes"/><ref name="Frazer"/> The founding fathers that were not Christians were influenced by Christianity in a culture where publically being a Christian was normal.<ref name="Frazer"/>

The founding fathers considered to be "theistic rationalists" did believe God was active in earthly affairs and that religion was essentially important to society because it brought [[morality]].<ref name="Frazer"/> However, they believed this to be true for all religions, rather than just Christianity.<ref name="Frazer"/> They opposed the establishment of an official religion but supported religion in public life.<ref name="Frazer"/>

Regarding [[Thomas Jefferson]], Peterson states Jefferson was a [[Theism|theist]] "whose God was the Creator of the universe ... all the evidences of nature testified to His perfection; and man could rely on the harmony and beneficence of His work."<ref>{{cite book |last=Peterson |first=Merrill D. |authorlink=Merrill D. Peterson |isbn=978-0-19-500054-2|authormask=2 |title=Thomas Jefferson and the New Nation; a Biography |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=1970 |ref=Peterson70 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XcOXEb0O4-UC}}, ch. 2 [e-book].</ref>

Jefferson was firmly [[Anti-clericalism|anticlerical]], writing in "every age, the priest has been hostile to liberty ... they have perverted the purest religion ever preached to man into mystery and jargon."<ref>{{cite book |last=Wood |first=Gordon S |authormask=2 |isbn=978-0-19-503914-6 |title=Empire of Liberty: A History of the Early Republic, 1789–1815 |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2010 |ref=Wood2010 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AWI8fmyhN5IC}}, p. 577.</ref> Jefferson once supported banning clergy from public office but later relented.<ref>{{cite book|editor=Finkelman, Paul |ref=Finkelman2006 |title=The Encyclopedia of American Civil Liberties A-F Index|publisher=Taylor & Francis Group|volume=1|year=2006|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UVgKAgAAQBAJ|isbn=978-1-135-94704-0}}, p. 921.</ref> In 1777, he drafted the [[Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom]]. Ratified in 1786, it prohibted mandatory attendance or contributions to any state-sanctioned religious establishment illegal and declared that men "shall be free to profess ... their opinions in matters of religion."<ref>{{cite book |last1=Yarbrough |first1=Jean M.|last2=Jefferson |first2=Thomas |year=2006 |title=The Essential Jefferson |publisher=Hackett Publishing|isbn=978-1-60384-378-2 |ref=Yarbrough2006 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iQGA8iIpZxQC}}, p. 28.</ref> The Statute is one of only three accomplishments he chose to have inscribed in the epitaph on his gravestone.<ref>[[#Peterson|Peterson, 2003]], p. 315.</ref><ref>W. W. Hening, ed., Statutes at Large of Virginia, vol. 12 (1823): 84–86.</ref>

==Acceptance among conservatives and Christians==
Many conservative figures reject, at least in part, the "Christian Nation" theme. President [[Ronald Reagan]] wrote to [[Norman Lear]] in 1984 to say that he was "not aware of any 'Christian Nation movement' and I certainly do not support the notion."<ref>Ronald Reagan, ''Reagan: A Life in Letters'', ed. by Kiron K. Skinner (2004) p. 642, Norman Lear was a Hollywood producer and an important organizer of secularism.</ref>

Many conservatives and Christians generally speak in terms of Judeo-Christian ethics and values, of America having a Christian heritage, or that the founding fathers were mainly, but not in entirety, Christian men. Most conservatives view both the Old Testament and the New Testament as co-equal contributors to American heritage.

Many Christians also believe that while not intended to be a Christian nation, "the ''principles'' upon which the United States was founded" were based on the [[Bible]], both the Old and New Testaments.<ref>[https://www.gotquestions.org/Founding-Fathers.html Were the Founding Fathers of the United States Christians?]. ''[[GotQuestions]]''. Retrieved May 22, 2017.</ref> Christians also point out that the founding fathers did not intend a "[[separation of church and state]]" as liberals and secularists envision it.<ref name="Frazer"/>

==Christian Heritage==
Prior to (and during) the American Revolution, the involvement of preachers was well known.(See [[Black Robed Regiment]])
After the revolution, the involvement of the clergy did not end. It was common for election day sermons to occur.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=O1RgAAAAcAAJ A Sermon, Preached Before His Excellency John Hancock, Esq. Governour; the Honourable the Council, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 28, 1788. Being the Day of General Election], By David Parsons</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=72o0AQAAMAAJ A Sermon Preached Before His Excellency John Hancock, Esq: Governour, the Honourable the Senate, and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, October 25, 1780. Being the Day of the Commencement of the Constitution, and Inauguration of the New Government], by Samuel Cooper</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=HKFgAAAAcAAJ A Sermon Preached Before the Honorable Council, and the Honorable House of Representatives of the State of Massachusetts-Bay, in New-England, at Boston, May 26, 1779. Being the Anniversary for the Election of the Honorable Council.], by Samuel Stillman</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=OlRgAAAAcAAJ A Sermon, Preached Before His Excellency John Hancock, Esq. Governour; His Honor Samuel Adams Esq. Lieutenant-Governour; the Honourable the Council, and the Honourable the Senate and House of Representatives, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 25, 1791. Being the Day of General Election.], By Chandler Robbins</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Ve5CAQAAMAAJ A Sermon Preached Before His Excellency Samuel Adams, Esq., Governour: His Honor Moses Gill, Esq., Lieutenant-governour: the Honourable the Council, Senate, and House of Representatives, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 25, 1796. Being the Day of General Election], by Jonathan French</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/details/cu31924102767807 A sermon, preached before His Excellency Samuel Huntington, Esq. L.L.D. governor, and the Honorable the General Assembly of the state of Connecticut : convened at Hartford, on the day of the anniversary election, May 10th, 1792], by Timothy Stone</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/details/cu31924104014588 The duty of praying for all that are in authority, illustrated : a sermon preached before His Excellency Oliver Wolcott, and the honourable legislature of the state of Connecticut, at the general election, May 4, 1825], by Daniel Dow</ref><ref>[http://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/8295429 A sermon, preached before His Honor Oliver Wolcott, Esq. L.L.D. lieutenant-governor and commander in chief, and the Honorable the General Assembly of the state of Connecticut, convened at Hartford, on the day of the anniversary election, May 12th, 1796], by John Marsh</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLkvuxNgnJM David Barton]</ref>

Many people, primarily liberals, claim that because [[slavery]] was legal in several states up to 1865, the notion that the U.S. was founded on biblical principles with a Christian heritage (different from being a Christian nation) is either hypocritical or false. However, these liberals overlook several key facts, and their claims are exaggerated. First, slavery was common throughout the entire world (and still exists; 45 million people in the world were slaves in 2016<ref>[http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36416751 What does modern slavery look like?]. ''BBC''. May 31, 2016. Retrieved May 23, 2017.</ref>), existing in many different nations and cultures for millennia.<ref name="Medved">Medved, Michael (September 26, 2007). [https://townhall.com/columnists/michaelmedved/2007/09/26/six-inconvenient-truths-about-the-us-and-slavery-n876052 Six inconvenient truths about the U.S. and slavery]. ''Townhall''. Retrieved May 23, 2017.</ref> Only 3% of all the slaves taken from Africa actually went to North America,<ref name="Medved"/> and liberals commonly overlook the [[Arab slave trade]], which enslaved tens-of-millions of African people.<ref>Moore, A. (June 2, 2014). [http://atlantablackstar.com/2014/06/02/10-facts-about-the-arab-enslavement-of-black-people-not-taught-in-schools/ 10 Facts About The Arab Enslavement Of Black People Not Taught In Schools]. ''Atlanta Black Star''. Retrieved May 23, 2017.</ref><ref>Williams, Thomas D., PhD (August 2, 2016). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/08/02/islamic-state-muslims-ran-america-lucrative-african-slave-trade-continued/ Islamic State: If Muslims Ran America, ‘Lucrative African Slave Trade Would Have Continued’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 23, 2017.</ref><ref>Hochschild, Adam (March 4, 2001). [http://www.nytimes.com/books/01/03/04/reviews/010304.04hochsct.html Human Cargo]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved May 23, 2017.</ref> Additionally, the founding fathers mainly opposed slavery and put anti-slavery principles into the Constitution.<ref name="McCormack">McCormack, John (June 29, 2011). [http://www.weeklystandard.com/lincoln-said-it-best-the-founding-fathers-opposed-slavery/article/575904 Lincoln Said It Best: The Founding Fathers Opposed Slavery]. ''The Weekly Standard''. Retrieved May 23, 2017.</ref> They did not outright abolish it mainly due to pragmatic concerns, although the Northern states did.<ref>Anthony Iaccarino. [https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Founding-Fathers-and-Slavery-1269536 The Founding Fathers and Slavery]. ''Encyclopædia Britannica''. Retrieved May 23, 2017.</ref> The U.S. soon took steps to limit slavery, such as banning it in the [[Northwest Territory]] in 1787 and banning the [[slave trade]] in 1807.<ref name="McCormack"/> Unlike most other countries around the world, the U.S. quickly abolished slavery, and although the evil of slavery cannot be denied, the slave trade did not equal genocide and it was a long term benefit for the Africans to leave Africa and enter the U.S.<ref name="Medved"/> Regarding racism in general, racism exists throughout the enire world, with most countries being much more racist than the U.S., a [[melting pot]], and modern liberals hold racist attitudes.<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/Liberal-Racism-Fixating-Subverts-American/dp/0742522016 Liberal Racism: How Fixating on Race Subverts the American Dream], by Jim Sleeper. (2002)</ref>

== State Church ==
Countries with an official religion are not necessarily theocratic or Christian Nations (not in way Fundamentalists describe a theocratic nation). It only means that the governments recognize the church as their religion, yet some of these countries also recognize religious freedom.

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Political Terms]]
[[Category:Fundamentalism]]
[[Category:Religion and Politics]]

Christian Nation

2017-05-25T21:23:28Z

Christian Nation

2017-05-22T21:50:12Z

Coolguy:

'''Christian Nation''' is a concept held among some Fundamentalists that the United States was founded as a "Christian Nation," then lost its way, and now should be restored to its original character. The idea has become a favorite attack theme for liberals and secularists who claim that the political Right plans to impose Christianity upon on America.

The "Christian Nation" theme is not mainstream conservatism. President [[Ronald Reagan]] wrote to [[Norman Lear]] in 1984 to say that he was "not aware of any 'Christian Nation movement' and I certainly do not support the notion."<ref>Ronald Reagan, ''Reagan: A Life in Letters'', ed. by Kiron K. Skinner (2004) p. 642, Norman Lear was a Hollywood producer and an important organizer of secularism.</ref>

Mainstream conservatives usually speak in terms of Judeo-Christian ethics and values, of America having a Christian heritage, or that the founding fathers were, in the main, Christian men.

==Christian Heritage==
Prior to(and during) the American Revolution, the involvement of preachers was well known.(See [[Black Robed Regiment]])
After the revolution, the involvement of the clergy did not end. It was common for election day sermons to occur.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=O1RgAAAAcAAJ A Sermon, Preached Before His Excellency John Hancock, Esq. Governour; the Honourable the Council, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 28, 1788. Being the Day of General Election], By David Parsons</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=72o0AQAAMAAJ A Sermon Preached Before His Excellency John Hancock, Esq: Governour, the Honourable the Senate, and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, October 25, 1780. Being the Day of the Commencement of the Constitution, and Inauguration of the New Government], by Samuel Cooper</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=HKFgAAAAcAAJ A Sermon Preached Before the Honorable Council, and the Honorable House of Representatives of the State of Massachusetts-Bay, in New-England, at Boston, May 26, 1779. Being the Anniversary for the Election of the Honorable Council.], by Samuel Stillman</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=OlRgAAAAcAAJ A Sermon, Preached Before His Excellency John Hancock, Esq. Governour; His Honor Samuel Adams Esq. Lieutenant-Governour; the Honourable the Council, and the Honourable the Senate and House of Representatives, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 25, 1791. Being the Day of General Election.], By Chandler Robbins</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Ve5CAQAAMAAJ A Sermon Preached Before His Excellency Samuel Adams, Esq., Governour: His Honor Moses Gill, Esq., Lieutenant-governour: the Honourable the Council, Senate, and House of Representatives, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 25, 1796. Being the Day of General Election], by Jonathan French</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/details/cu31924102767807 A sermon, preached before His Excellency Samuel Huntington, Esq. L.L.D. governor, and the Honorable the General Assembly of the state of Connecticut : convened at Hartford, on the day of the anniversary election, May 10th, 1792], by Timothy Stone</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/details/cu31924104014588 The duty of praying for all that are in authority, illustrated : a sermon preached before His Excellency Oliver Wolcott, and the honourable legislature of the state of Connecticut, at the general election, May 4, 1825], by Daniel Dow</ref><ref>[http://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/8295429 A sermon, preached before His Honor Oliver Wolcott, Esq. L.L.D. lieutenant-governor and commander in chief, and the Honorable the General Assembly of the state of Connecticut, convened at Hartford, on the day of the anniversary election, May 12th, 1796], by John Marsh</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLkvuxNgnJM David Barton]</ref>

== State Church ==
Countries with an official religion are not necessarily theocratic or Christian Nations(not in way Fundamentalists describe a theocratic nation). It only means that the governments recognize the church as their religion,yet some of these countries recognize religious freedom.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!State (or D.C.)
!History
!Comments
|-
|Connecticut
|Same-sex "marriage" was "legalized" by decision of the state Supreme Court in 2008.
|
|-
|Delaware
|Legislation legalizing same-sex "marriage" was enacted in 2013.
|
|-
|Hawaii
|Legislation legalizing same-sex "marriage" was enacted in 2013.
|
|-
|Illinois
|Legislation legalizing same-sex "marriage" was enacted in 2013.
|
|-
|Iowa
|Same-sex "marriage" was "legalized" by decision of the state Supreme Court in 2009.
|After imposing same-sex "marriage", three justices were punished for their decision by removal from office in their retention election in November 2010.
|-
|Maine
|Same-sex "marriage" was legalized by popular referendum in 2012.
|However, this referendum, along with the ones in Maryland and Washington, were bought by pro-same-sex "marriage" lobbyists through massive spending on a misleading and deceitful propaganda campaign.
|
|-
|Maryland
|Legislation legalizing same-sex "marriage" was enacted in 2012.
|Voters approved the same-sex "marriage" law in a referendum in November 2012. However, this referendum, along with the ones in Maine and Washington, were bought by pro-same-sex "marriage" lobbyists through massive spending on a misleading and deceitful propaganda campaign.
|-
|Massachusetts
|Same-sex "marriage" was "legalized" by decision of the state Supreme Court in 2004.
|According to "What Same-Sex 'Marriage' Has Done to Massachusetts", however, the law banning same-sex "marriage" in Massachusetts has never been officially repealed. Because of this and in spite of the judicial ruling, same-sex "marriage" is still technically illegal in the state.<ref>[http://www.massresistance.org/docs/marriage/effects_of_ssm_2012/index.html What same-sex "marriage" has done to Massachusetts]</ref>
|-
|Minnesota
|Legislation legalizing same-sex "marriage" was enacted in 2013.
|
|-
|New Hampshire
|Legislation legalizing same-sex "marriage" was enacted in 2009.
|
|-
|New Jersey
|Same-sex "marriage" was "legalized" by decision of the state Supreme Court in 2013.
|
|-
|New Mexico
|Same-sex "marriage" was "legalized" by decision of the state Supreme Court in 2013.
|
|-
|New York
|Legislation legalizing same-sex "marriage" was enacted in 2011.
|
|-
|Rhode Island
|Legislation legalizing same-sex "marriage" was enacted in 2013.
|
|-
|Vermont
|Legislation legalizing same-sex "marriage" was enacted in 2009.
|Vermont was the first state to legalize same-sex "marriage" via legislation rather than court decision.
|-
|Washington
|Legislation legalizing same-sex "marriage" was enacted in 2012.
|Voters approved the same-sex "marriage" law in a referendum in November 2012. However, this referendum, along with the ones in Maine and Maryland, were bought by pro-same-sex "marriage" lobbyists through massive spending on a misleading and deceitful propaganda campaign.
|-
|Washington, D.C.
|Legislation legalizing same-sex "marriage" was enacted in 2009.
|
|}
[[File:Map of state religions.svg|border|thumb|550x550px|Countries with state religion.

====References====
<references/>

[[Category:Political Terms]]
[[Category:Fundamentalism]]
[[Category:Reagan Era]]
[[Category:Religion and Politics]]

Christian Nation

2017-05-22T21:48:48Z

Coolguy:

'''Christian Nation''' is a concept held among some Fundamentalists that the United States was founded as a "Christian Nation," then lost its way, and now should be restored to its original character. The idea has become a favorite attack theme for liberals and secularists who claim that the political Right plans to impose Christianity upon on America.

The "Christian Nation" theme is not mainstream conservatism. President [[Ronald Reagan]] wrote to [[Norman Lear]] in 1984 to say that he was "not aware of any 'Christian Nation movement' and I certainly do not support the notion."<ref>Ronald Reagan, ''Reagan: A Life in Letters'', ed. by Kiron K. Skinner (2004) p. 642, Norman Lear was a Hollywood producer and an important organizer of secularism.</ref>

Mainstream conservatives usually speak in terms of Judeo-Christian ethics and values, of America having a Christian heritage, or that the founding fathers were, in the main, Christian men.

==Christian Heritage==
Prior to(and during) the American Revolution, the involvement of preachers was well known.(See [[Black Robed Regiment]])
After the revolution, the involvement of the clergy did not end. It was common for election day sermons to occur.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=O1RgAAAAcAAJ A Sermon, Preached Before His Excellency John Hancock, Esq. Governour; the Honourable the Council, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 28, 1788. Being the Day of General Election], By David Parsons</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=72o0AQAAMAAJ A Sermon Preached Before His Excellency John Hancock, Esq: Governour, the Honourable the Senate, and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, October 25, 1780. Being the Day of the Commencement of the Constitution, and Inauguration of the New Government], by Samuel Cooper</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=HKFgAAAAcAAJ A Sermon Preached Before the Honorable Council, and the Honorable House of Representatives of the State of Massachusetts-Bay, in New-England, at Boston, May 26, 1779. Being the Anniversary for the Election of the Honorable Council.], by Samuel Stillman</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=OlRgAAAAcAAJ A Sermon, Preached Before His Excellency John Hancock, Esq. Governour; His Honor Samuel Adams Esq. Lieutenant-Governour; the Honourable the Council, and the Honourable the Senate and House of Representatives, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 25, 1791. Being the Day of General Election.], By Chandler Robbins</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Ve5CAQAAMAAJ A Sermon Preached Before His Excellency Samuel Adams, Esq., Governour: His Honor Moses Gill, Esq., Lieutenant-governour: the Honourable the Council, Senate, and House of Representatives, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 25, 1796. Being the Day of General Election], by Jonathan French</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/details/cu31924102767807 A sermon, preached before His Excellency Samuel Huntington, Esq. L.L.D. governor, and the Honorable the General Assembly of the state of Connecticut : convened at Hartford, on the day of the anniversary election, May 10th, 1792], by Timothy Stone</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/details/cu31924104014588 The duty of praying for all that are in authority, illustrated : a sermon preached before His Excellency Oliver Wolcott, and the honourable legislature of the state of Connecticut, at the general election, May 4, 1825], by Daniel Dow</ref><ref>[http://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/8295429 A sermon, preached before His Honor Oliver Wolcott, Esq. L.L.D. lieutenant-governor and commander in chief, and the Honorable the General Assembly of the state of Connecticut, convened at Hartford, on the day of the anniversary election, May 12th, 1796], by John Marsh</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLkvuxNgnJM David Barton]</ref>

== State Church ==
Countries with an official religion are not necessarily theocratic or Christian Nations(not in way Fundamentalists describe a theocratic nation). It only means that the governments recognize the church as their religion,yet some of these countries recognize religious freedom.
|} class="wikitable"
|-
!State (or D.C.)
!History
!Comments
|-
|Connecticut
|Same-sex "marriage" was "legalized" by decision of the state Supreme Court in 2008.
|
|-
|Delaware
|Legislation legalizing same-sex "marriage" was enacted in 2013.
|
|-
|Hawaii
|Legislation legalizing same-sex "marriage" was enacted in 2013.
|
|-
|Illinois
|Legislation legalizing same-sex "marriage" was enacted in 2013.
|
|-
|Iowa
|Same-sex "marriage" was "legalized" by decision of the state Supreme Court in 2009.
|After imposing same-sex "marriage", three justices were punished for their decision by removal from office in their retention election in November 2010.
|-
|Maine
|Same-sex "marriage" was legalized by popular referendum in 2012.
|However, this referendum, along with the ones in Maryland and Washington, were bought by pro-same-sex "marriage" lobbyists through massive spending on a misleading and deceitful propaganda campaign.
|
|-
|Maryland
|Legislation legalizing same-sex "marriage" was enacted in 2012.
|Voters approved the same-sex "marriage" law in a referendum in November 2012. However, this referendum, along with the ones in Maine and Washington, were bought by pro-same-sex "marriage" lobbyists through massive spending on a misleading and deceitful propaganda campaign.
|-
|Massachusetts
|Same-sex "marriage" was "legalized" by decision of the state Supreme Court in 2004.
|According to "What Same-Sex 'Marriage' Has Done to Massachusetts", however, the law banning same-sex "marriage" in Massachusetts has never been officially repealed. Because of this and in spite of the judicial ruling, same-sex "marriage" is still technically illegal in the state.<ref>[http://www.massresistance.org/docs/marriage/effects_of_ssm_2012/index.html What same-sex "marriage" has done to Massachusetts]</ref>
|-
|Minnesota
|Legislation legalizing same-sex "marriage" was enacted in 2013.
|
|-
|New Hampshire
|Legislation legalizing same-sex "marriage" was enacted in 2009.
|
|-
|New Jersey
|Same-sex "marriage" was "legalized" by decision of the state Supreme Court in 2013.
|
|-
|New Mexico
|Same-sex "marriage" was "legalized" by decision of the state Supreme Court in 2013.
|
|-
|New York
|Legislation legalizing same-sex "marriage" was enacted in 2011.
|
|-
|Rhode Island
|Legislation legalizing same-sex "marriage" was enacted in 2013.
|
|-
|Vermont
|Legislation legalizing same-sex "marriage" was enacted in 2009.
|Vermont was the first state to legalize same-sex "marriage" via legislation rather than court decision.
|-
|Washington
|Legislation legalizing same-sex "marriage" was enacted in 2012.
|Voters approved the same-sex "marriage" law in a referendum in November 2012. However, this referendum, along with the ones in Maine and Maryland, were bought by pro-same-sex "marriage" lobbyists through massive spending on a misleading and deceitful propaganda campaign.
|-
|Washington, D.C.
|Legislation legalizing same-sex "marriage" was enacted in 2009.
|
|}
[[File:Map of state religions.svg|border|thumb|550x550px|Countries with state religion.

====References====
<references/>

[[Category:Political Terms]]
[[Category:Fundamentalism]]
[[Category:Reagan Era]]
[[Category:Religion and Politics]]

Christian Nation

2017-05-22T21:47:07Z

Coolguy:

'''Christian Nation''' is a concept held among some Fundamentalists that the United States was founded as a "Christian Nation," then lost its way, and now should be restored to its original character. The idea has become a favorite attack theme for liberals and secularists who claim that the political Right plans to impose Christianity upon on America.

The "Christian Nation" theme is not mainstream conservatism. President [[Ronald Reagan]] wrote to [[Norman Lear]] in 1984 to say that he was "not aware of any 'Christian Nation movement' and I certainly do not support the notion."<ref>Ronald Reagan, ''Reagan: A Life in Letters'', ed. by Kiron K. Skinner (2004) p. 642, Norman Lear was a Hollywood producer and an important organizer of secularism.</ref>

Mainstream conservatives usually speak in terms of Judeo-Christian ethics and values, of America having a Christian heritage, or that the founding fathers were, in the main, Christian men.

==Christian Heritage==
Prior to(and during) the American Revolution, the involvement of preachers was well known.(See [[Black Robed Regiment]])
After the revolution, the involvement of the clergy did not end. It was common for election day sermons to occur.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=O1RgAAAAcAAJ A Sermon, Preached Before His Excellency John Hancock, Esq. Governour; the Honourable the Council, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 28, 1788. Being the Day of General Election], By David Parsons</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=72o0AQAAMAAJ A Sermon Preached Before His Excellency John Hancock, Esq: Governour, the Honourable the Senate, and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, October 25, 1780. Being the Day of the Commencement of the Constitution, and Inauguration of the New Government], by Samuel Cooper</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=HKFgAAAAcAAJ A Sermon Preached Before the Honorable Council, and the Honorable House of Representatives of the State of Massachusetts-Bay, in New-England, at Boston, May 26, 1779. Being the Anniversary for the Election of the Honorable Council.], by Samuel Stillman</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=OlRgAAAAcAAJ A Sermon, Preached Before His Excellency John Hancock, Esq. Governour; His Honor Samuel Adams Esq. Lieutenant-Governour; the Honourable the Council, and the Honourable the Senate and House of Representatives, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 25, 1791. Being the Day of General Election.], By Chandler Robbins</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Ve5CAQAAMAAJ A Sermon Preached Before His Excellency Samuel Adams, Esq., Governour: His Honor Moses Gill, Esq., Lieutenant-governour: the Honourable the Council, Senate, and House of Representatives, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 25, 1796. Being the Day of General Election], by Jonathan French</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/details/cu31924102767807 A sermon, preached before His Excellency Samuel Huntington, Esq. L.L.D. governor, and the Honorable the General Assembly of the state of Connecticut : convened at Hartford, on the day of the anniversary election, May 10th, 1792], by Timothy Stone</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/details/cu31924104014588 The duty of praying for all that are in authority, illustrated : a sermon preached before His Excellency Oliver Wolcott, and the honourable legislature of the state of Connecticut, at the general election, May 4, 1825], by Daniel Dow</ref><ref>[http://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/8295429 A sermon, preached before His Honor Oliver Wolcott, Esq. L.L.D. lieutenant-governor and commander in chief, and the Honorable the General Assembly of the state of Connecticut, convened at Hartford, on the day of the anniversary election, May 12th, 1796], by John Marsh</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLkvuxNgnJM David Barton]</ref>

== State Church ==
Countries with an official religion are not necessarily theocratic or Christian Nations(not in way Fundamentalists describe a theocratic nation). It only means that the governments recognize the church as their religion,yet some of these countries recognize religious freedom.
| class="wikitable"
|-
!State (or D.C.)
!History
!Comments
|-
|Connecticut
|Same-sex "marriage" was "legalized" by decision of the state Supreme Court in 2008.
|
|-
|Delaware
|Legislation legalizing same-sex "marriage" was enacted in 2013.
|
|-
|Hawaii
|Legislation legalizing same-sex "marriage" was enacted in 2013.
|
|-
|Illinois
|Legislation legalizing same-sex "marriage" was enacted in 2013.
|
|-
|Iowa
|Same-sex "marriage" was "legalized" by decision of the state Supreme Court in 2009.
|After imposing same-sex "marriage", three justices were punished for their decision by removal from office in their retention election in November 2010.
|-
|Maine
|Same-sex "marriage" was legalized by popular referendum in 2012.
|However, this referendum, along with the ones in Maryland and Washington, were bought by pro-same-sex "marriage" lobbyists through massive spending on a misleading and deceitful propaganda campaign.
|
|-
|Maryland
|Legislation legalizing same-sex "marriage" was enacted in 2012.
|Voters approved the same-sex "marriage" law in a referendum in November 2012. However, this referendum, along with the ones in Maine and Washington, were bought by pro-same-sex "marriage" lobbyists through massive spending on a misleading and deceitful propaganda campaign.
|-
|Massachusetts
|Same-sex "marriage" was "legalized" by decision of the state Supreme Court in 2004.
|According to "What Same-Sex 'Marriage' Has Done to Massachusetts", however, the law banning same-sex "marriage" in Massachusetts has never been officially repealed. Because of this and in spite of the judicial ruling, same-sex "marriage" is still technically illegal in the state.<ref>[http://www.massresistance.org/docs/marriage/effects_of_ssm_2012/index.html What same-sex "marriage" has done to Massachusetts]</ref>
|-
|Minnesota
|Legislation legalizing same-sex "marriage" was enacted in 2013.
|
|-
|New Hampshire
|Legislation legalizing same-sex "marriage" was enacted in 2009.
|
|-
|New Jersey
|Same-sex "marriage" was "legalized" by decision of the state Supreme Court in 2013.
|
|-
|New Mexico
|Same-sex "marriage" was "legalized" by decision of the state Supreme Court in 2013.
|
|-
|New York
|Legislation legalizing same-sex "marriage" was enacted in 2011.
|
|-
|Rhode Island
|Legislation legalizing same-sex "marriage" was enacted in 2013.
|
|-
|Vermont
|Legislation legalizing same-sex "marriage" was enacted in 2009.
|Vermont was the first state to legalize same-sex "marriage" via legislation rather than court decision.
|-
|Washington
|Legislation legalizing same-sex "marriage" was enacted in 2012.
|Voters approved the same-sex "marriage" law in a referendum in November 2012. However, this referendum, along with the ones in Maine and Maryland, were bought by pro-same-sex "marriage" lobbyists through massive spending on a misleading and deceitful propaganda campaign.
|-
|Washington, D.C.
|Legislation legalizing same-sex "marriage" was enacted in 2009.
|
|}
[[File:Map of state religions.svg|border|thumb|550x550px|Countries with state religion.

====References====
<references/>

[[Category:Political Terms]]
[[Category:Fundamentalism]]
[[Category:Reagan Era]]
[[Category:Religion and Politics]]

Christian Nation

2017-05-22T21:43:26Z

Coolguy:

Christian Nation

2017-05-22T20:12:20Z

Coolguy: still editing article

Talk:Same-sex marriage

2017-05-22T19:53:08Z

2017-04-21T20:46:20Z

Coolguy: Added more quotes by founding fathers on religion

==deletions==

I really don't trust a blog that sources anti-Christian material to deny "There is no king but Jesus." Second, the reasoning for removing Penn as not a founding father, he died before the revolution?--Jpatt 23:40, 19 July 2016 (EDT)

:Generally, the term "Founding Fathers" is used to refer to the Revolutionary generation, right? Those statesmen and and generals, like John and Samuel Adams, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, etc, who fought during the Revolution or were involved in US independence. William Penn founded Pennsylvania and was active in the settlement of the country, but he died 60 years before the Revolutionary War, and I wouldn't consider him a "founding father", anymore than I would William Bradford or John Smith. Founding Great grandfather, maybe. I don't think he should be included, but obviously, this is a judgement call, and I don't feel strongly enough about it to mind that much if you put the quote back/.

:The thing with the first quote, even if you don't trust the blog, the cite for the "We have no king but Jesus" quote is an unsourced secondary document, and one that doesn't even discuss the quote; just one of a grabbag of Christian sounding statements. So where are they getting it from? How do we know the quote is reliable? That's distinct from some of the other quotes on the page. We can be sure, for instance, that Robert Morris said "Religion is the solid basis of good morals; therefore education should teach the precepts of religion, and the duties of man towards God.", because that comes from an original source; a work written by Morris himself. So what's the original source for the No King but Jesus quote?

:I'm not sure that the blog is sourcing anti-Christian material, really. Its sources are Eades Home Ministry, Charles Jennings, John Ashcroft, Frank Warren Coburn, Rev. Clark, and Sir Richard Sutton. It might use anti-Christian material on other pages, I'm not sure. But regardless, it seems like if we're going to make a quote, we should support it. It seems like there's this tendency all over these days to find stuff that already agrees with us, and then just use it, not worrying about whether its true or not. But I know you're on Conservapedia because you worry about the truth, and you worry about what's real or not; that seems like it is, or should be, at least, the mission of Conservapedia, and it weakens the project, I think, when we allow ourselves to become to credulous, or when we shade the truth to fit our biases. That's not why I'm here, and I'm pretty sure it's not why you're here either.--[[User:Whizkid|Whizkid]] ([[User talk:Whizkid|talk]]) 00:12, 20 July 2016 (EDT)

::So many quotes are proven fabrications hence I try to find them in published works instead of say brainyquote. I am undecided on Penn. I would say he is a 17 century Founding Father who had enormous impact on the later formed Continental Congress. Though he wasn't an honorary citizen of the Republic until 1980.--Jpatt 06:43, 20 July 2016 (EDT)

== Founding Fathers as devout Christians ==

The Founding fathers where not actually devout Christians. They were actually deist,or at least Christian deist. Yes indeed they have made quotes about God and the Bible but at the same time,some of them made quotes that are critical of Christianity.

Refer to these quotes:

"The United States is not in any sense founded on Christianity ".
John Adams

"Christianity is the most perverted system ever shone on man."
Thomas Jefferson

You must admit that most of them were actually deist.
:WRONG. First, you're taking those quotes out of context, like so many others have done. Second, you never bothered to read what the Founders had to say, beyond those quotes. As homework, you're going to read the letters, speeches, and writings of both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams - completely, and at least one biography by an author who personally knew both. [[User:Karajou|Karajou]] ([[User talk:Karajou|talk]]) 20:23, 3 April 2017 (EDT)

::The problem with that claim, Coolguy, is that most of them weren't.
::"It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and Bible." - George Washington
::"Make sure you are doing what God wants you to do---then do it with all your strength." - George Washington
::"God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God?
::That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever; That a revolution of the wheel of fortune, a change of situation, is among possible events; that it may become probable by Supernatural influence! The Almighty has no attribute which can take side with us in that event." - Thomas Jefferson
::"Here is my Creed. I believe in one God, the Creator of the Universe. That He governs it by His Providence. That He ought to be worshipped." - Benjamin Franklin
::The list can go on and on. Those who pray, study the word, and seek to do God's will, trusting in Him always to do what is best should not be called deists. This mostly, if not entirely, a claim invented in revisionist history. --[[User:DavidB4|David B]] ([[User talk:DavidB4|TALK]]) 20:26, 3 April 2017 (EDT)
:::I'd guess that, like others of his type who favor revisionist history, Coolguy got his info on the Founding Fathers from the usual liberal-biased sites. [[User:Northwest|Northwest]] ([[User talk:Northwest|talk]]) 21:08, 3 April 2017 (EDT)

:::Each Founding Father listed on this site has their religious affiliation under their photo. All Christ followers.--Jpatt 21:17, 3 April 2017 (EDT)

::::Of course, this was probably a (successful) trolling attempt, but oh well. Northwest, probably s/he got the info from Wikipedia, or at least those who taught him/her did.

There is more quotes they made about religion:
John Adams:

"God is an essence that we know nothing of. Until this awful blasphemy is got rid of, there will never be any liberal science in the world."

George Washington:

"Religious controversies are always productive of more acrimony and irreconcilable hatreds than those which spring from any other cause. Of all the animosities which have existed among mankind, those which are caused by the difference of sentiments in religion appear to be the most inveterate and distressing, and ought most to be depreciated. I was in hopes that the enlightened and liberal policy, which has marked the present age, would at least have reconciled Christians of every denomination so far that we should never again see the religious disputes carried to such a pitch as to endanger the peace of society." -- letter to Edward Newenham, 1792

Benjamin Franklin:

"In the affairs of the world, men are saved, not by faith, but by the lack of it."

Thomas Jefferson:

"Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind and unfits it for every noble enterprise." - letter to Wm. Bradford, April 1, 1774

"I have recently been examining all the known superstitions of the world, and do not find in our particular superstition (Christianity) one redeeming feature. They are all alike founded on fables and mythology."

“Christianity is the most perverted system ever shone to man.”

"Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear." letter to his nephew,Peter Carr,August 10,1787

“Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man & his god, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between church and state.”

The Treaty of Tripoli:

"As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion,--as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Musselmen,--and as the said States never have entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mohammedan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever interrupt the harmony existing between the two countries." signed by John Adams in 1797.

Whether they were deist or Christian '''you must realize that America was founded as a secular nation and Christianity was
never the official religion.''' If America was really founded on Christianity, why is Christianity and morality declining in America today? I mean why is prayer banned in public schools.
If you still really think that America is or was a Christian nation, we must not forget the atrocities that America committed
such as the slavery of the African people, the civil war,racism, and George Washington was nicknamed by the Iroquois tribe and the language roughly translates to “Town Destroyer” or “Devourer of Villages.” That probably does not prove that Washington was a humble or
"God-fearing" Christian since Washington destroyed their homes and had genocidal tendencies. A true "God-fearing" Christian Would never
commit such a thing since he must be humble and not seek power. A true Christian nation would never commit such atrocities like slavery and genocide(since it happened Native Americans which was known as The California Indian Genocide 1846 and 1870).A true Christian nation
would treat and will have always treat all ethnic group equally and fairly and will always strictly adhere to Biblical principles(not
heading for decline of Christianity and Moral Values) and would never seek dominance, power, or conquer the lands that originally
belonged the people(like America one did).
It seems though that the used to be devout Christians and later became deist and where are the fully aware of the bloodshed
and atrocities that Christianity committed. Or it seemed that they used to be devout Christians,but their doubts had taken over and later
became deist.

Talk:United States of America

2017-04-14T22:32:26Z

Coolguy: United States as a Conservative Nation.

Talk:United States of America

2017-04-14T22:29:44Z

Coolguy: United States as a Conservative Nation.

Talk:United States of America

2017-04-14T22:27:20Z

Coolguy: /* United States as a Conservative Nation. */ new section

United States Population

2017-04-14T22:15:22Z

Coolguy: Reference to Pew Research

The [[United States]] has the third highest [[population]] in the world, and it is estimated at approximately 300 million people today. It is a very diverse country with people from virtually all races and religions.

The major religions in the United States are [[Christianity]] 70.6% ([[Evangelical [[Protestant]] 25.4%, Mainline Protestant 14.7%,Historically Black Protestant 6.5%, [[Catholic]] 20.8%, [[Mormon]] 1.6%,[[Orthodox]] [[Christian]] 0.5%, [[Jehovah's Witnesses]] 0.8%, other [[Christian]] 0.4%). Non-Christian Faiths:[[Judaism]] 1.9%, [[Muslim]] 0.9%. [[Buddhist]] 0.7%, [[Hindu]] 0.7%,other 1.8% . Unaffiliated 22.8%, [[atheist]] 3.1%, [[agnostic]] 4.0%, 'nothing in particular' 15.8%, 'don't know' 0.8%.<ref>↑http:http://www.pewforum.org/religious-landscape-study/</ref>

The major racial groups in the United States are: [[European American|Whites]] 78%, [[African Americans]] 12%, [[Mestizo]]s (people of mixed Spanish and Indian descent) 6%, [[Asian]]s just under 4% and [[Native American]]s less than 1%. Approximately 15% of Americans are [[Latinos]], although they may be of any race.<ref>↑ http://www.census.gov/</ref>

==See also==
* [[Population density]]
* [[Population]]
* [[List of countries by population]]
* [[Gross Domestic Product]]
* [[List of countries by area]]
* [[List of countries by GDP]]
* [[List of countries by GDP per capita]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Statistics]]
[[Category:Demography]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:Survivalism]]

United States Population

2017-04-14T22:13:18Z

Coolguy: Improve the religious demography of U.S

The [[United States]] has the third highest [[population]] in the world, and it is estimated at approximately 300 million people today. It is a very diverse country with people from virtually all races and religions.

The major religions in the United States are [[Christianity]] 70.6% ([[Evangelical [[Protestant]] 25.4%, Mainline Protestant 14.7%,Historically Black Protestant 6.5%, [[Catholic]] 20.8%, [[Mormon]] 1.6%,[[Orthodox]] [[Christian]] 0.5%, [[Jehovah's Witnesses]] 0.8%, other [[Christian]] 0.4%). Non-Christian Faiths:[[Judaism]] 1.9%, [[Muslim]] 0.9%. [[Buddhist]] 0.7%, [[Hindu]] 0.7%,other 1.8% . Unaffiliated 22.8%, [[atheist]] 3.1%, [[agnostic]] 4.0%, 'nothing in particular' 15.8%, 'don't know' 0.8%.<ref>http:http://www.pewforum.org/religious-landscape-study/

The major racial groups in the United States are: [[European American|Whites]] 78%, [[African Americans]] 12%, [[Mestizo]]s (people of mixed Spanish and Indian descent) 6%, [[Asian]]s just under 4% and [[Native American]]s less than 1%. Approximately 15% of Americans are [[Latinos]], although they may be of any race.<ref>↑ http://www.census.gov/</ref>

==See also==
* [[Population density]]
* [[Population]]
* [[List of countries by population]]
* [[Gross Domestic Product]]
* [[List of countries by area]]
* [[List of countries by GDP]]
* [[List of countries by GDP per capita]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Statistics]]
[[Category:Demography]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:Survivalism]]

Talk:Founding Fathers quotes that mention God

2017-04-14T21:44:35Z

Coolguy: U.S as a Christian nation

==deletions==

I really don't trust a blog that sources anti-Christian material to deny "There is no king but Jesus." Second, the reasoning for removing Penn as not a founding father, he died before the revolution?--Jpatt 23:40, 19 July 2016 (EDT)

:Generally, the term "Founding Fathers" is used to refer to the Revolutionary generation, right? Those statesmen and and generals, like John and Samuel Adams, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, etc, who fought during the Revolution or were involved in US independence. William Penn founded Pennsylvania and was active in the settlement of the country, but he died 60 years before the Revolutionary War, and I wouldn't consider him a "founding father", anymore than I would William Bradford or John Smith. Founding Great grandfather, maybe. I don't think he should be included, but obviously, this is a judgement call, and I don't feel strongly enough about it to mind that much if you put the quote back/.

:The thing with the first quote, even if you don't trust the blog, the cite for the "We have no king but Jesus" quote is an unsourced secondary document, and one that doesn't even discuss the quote; just one of a grabbag of Christian sounding statements. So where are they getting it from? How do we know the quote is reliable? That's distinct from some of the other quotes on the page. We can be sure, for instance, that Robert Morris said "Religion is the solid basis of good morals; therefore education should teach the precepts of religion, and the duties of man towards God.", because that comes from an original source; a work written by Morris himself. So what's the original source for the No King but Jesus quote?

:I'm not sure that the blog is sourcing anti-Christian material, really. Its sources are Eades Home Ministry, Charles Jennings, John Ashcroft, Frank Warren Coburn, Rev. Clark, and Sir Richard Sutton. It might use anti-Christian material on other pages, I'm not sure. But regardless, it seems like if we're going to make a quote, we should support it. It seems like there's this tendency all over these days to find stuff that already agrees with us, and then just use it, not worrying about whether its true or not. But I know you're on Conservapedia because you worry about the truth, and you worry about what's real or not; that seems like it is, or should be, at least, the mission of Conservapedia, and it weakens the project, I think, when we allow ourselves to become to credulous, or when we shade the truth to fit our biases. That's not why I'm here, and I'm pretty sure it's not why you're here either.--[[User:Whizkid|Whizkid]] ([[User talk:Whizkid|talk]]) 00:12, 20 July 2016 (EDT)

::So many quotes are proven fabrications hence I try to find them in published works instead of say brainyquote. I am undecided on Penn. I would say he is a 17 century Founding Father who had enormous impact on the later formed Continental Congress. Though he wasn't an honorary citizen of the Republic until 1980.--Jpatt 06:43, 20 July 2016 (EDT)

== Founding Fathers as devout Christians ==

The Founding fathers where not actually devout Christians. They were actually deist,or at least Christian deist. Yes indeed they have made quotes about God and the Bible but at the same time,some of them made quotes that are critical of Christianity.

Refer to these quotes:

John Adams:

"God is an essence that we know nothing of. Until this awful blasphemy is got rid of, there will never be any liberal science in the world."

George Washington:

"Religious controversies are always productive of more acrimony and irreconcilable hatreds than those which spring from any other cause. Of all the animosities which have existed among mankind, those which are caused by the difference of sentiments in religion appear to be the most inveterate and distressing, and ought most to be depreciated. I was in hopes that the enlightened and liberal policy, which has marked the present age, would at least have reconciled Christians of every denomination so far that we should never again see the religious disputes carried to such a pitch as to endanger the peace of society." -- letter to Edward Newenham, 1792

Benjamin Franklin:

"In the affairs of the world, men are saved, not by faith, but by the lack of it."

Thomas Jefferson:

"Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind and unfits it for every noble enterprise." - letter to Wm. Bradford, April 1, 1774

"I have recently been examining all the known superstitions of the world, and do not find in our particular superstition (Christianity) one redeeming feature. They are all alike founded on fables and mythology."

“Christianity is the most perverted system ever shone to man.”

"Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear."

“Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man & his god, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between church and state.”

The Treaty of Tripoli:

"As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion,--as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Musselmen,--and as the said States never have entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mohammedan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever interrupt the harmony existing between the two countries

You must admit that most of them were actually deist.

Or You Must admit that the U.S was never founded on Christianity.It was clearly founded as a secular republic.

:WRONG. First, you're taking those quotes out of context, like so many others have done. Second, you never bothered to read what the Founders had to say, beyond those quotes. As homework, you're going to read the letters, speeches, and writings of both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams - completely, and at least one biography by an author who personally knew both. [[User:Karajou|Karajou]] ([[User talk:Karajou|talk]]) 20:23, 3 April 2017 (EDT)

::The problem with that claim, Coolguy, is that most of them weren't.
::"It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and Bible." - George Washington
::"Make sure you are doing what God wants you to do---then do it with all your strength." - George Washington
::"God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God?
::That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever; That a revolution of the wheel of fortune, a change of situation, is among possible events; that it may become probable by Supernatural influence! The Almighty has no attribute which can take side with us in that event." - Thomas Jefferson
::"Here is my Creed. I believe in one God, the Creator of the Universe. That He governs it by His Providence. That He ought to be worshipped." - Benjamin Franklin
::The list can go on and on. Those who pray, study the word, and seek to do God's will, trusting in Him always to do what is best should not be called deists. This mostly, if not entirely, a claim invented in revisionist history. --[[User:DavidB4|David B]] ([[User talk:DavidB4|TALK]]) 20:26, 3 April 2017 (EDT)
:::I'd guess that, like others of his type who favor revisionist history, Coolguy got his info on the Founding Fathers from the usual liberal-biased sites. [[User:Northwest|Northwest]] ([[User talk:Northwest|talk]]) 21:08, 3 April 2017 (EDT)

:::Each Founding Father listed on this site has their religious affiliation under their photo. All Christ followers.--Jpatt 21:17, 3 April 2017 (EDT)

::::Of course, this was probably a (successful) trolling attempt, but oh well. Northwest, probably s/he got the info from Wikipedia, or at least those who taught him/her did.

Talk:Founding Fathers quotes that mention God

2017-04-03T23:55:06Z

Coolguy: /* Founding Fathers as devout Christians */ new section

United States Population

2017-04-03T19:54:35Z

Coolguy: added unaffiliated(on this article)

The [[United States]] has the third highest [[population]] in the world, and it is estimated at approximately 300 million people today. It is a very diverse country with people from virtually all races and religions.

The major religions in the United States are [[Protestants|Protestantism]] 46%, [[Roman Catholic Church|Cathlicism]] 25%, [[Pentecostalism]] 10%, [[Mormonism]] 3%, and [[Judaism]] 2%, unaffiliated(nonreligious) 16.5% .<ref>http://www.adherents.com</ref>

The major racial groups in the United States are: [[European American|Whites]] 78%, [[African Americans]] 12%, [[Mestizo]]s (people of mixed Spanish and Indian descent) 6%, [[Asian]]s just under 4% and [[Native American]]s less than 1%. Approximately 15% of Americans are [[Latinos]], although they may be of any race.<ref>↑ http://www.census.gov/</ref>

==See also==
* [[Population density]]
* [[Population]]
* [[List of countries by population]]
* [[Gross Domestic Product]]
* [[List of countries by area]]
* [[List of countries by GDP]]
* [[List of countries by GDP per capita]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Statistics]]
[[Category:Demography]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:Survivalism]]

United States of America

2017-04-03T19:50:30Z

Coolguy: Remove Christian from unaffiliated, the actual unaffiliated is irreligious and it is more than 16%

{{Country
|name =''United States of America''
|map =US map.PNG
|map2 =Loc of United States.png
|established=1776
|flag =50 star flag.png
|arms =United States arms.png
|capital =Washington, D.C.
|government =Constitutional Republic
|language =English
|official =n
|president =Donald John Trump
|area =3,796,742 sq mi
|pop =324,611,000 (2017)
|gdp =$18.558 trillion (2016)
|gdp-year =
|gdp-pc =$57,220 (2016)
|currency =United States Dollar (USD)
}}
The '''United States of America'''<ref>(''conventional short form'': '''United States'''; ''abbreviation'': '''US''' or '''USA'''; sometimes also referred to as '''the States''' or simply as '''America''')</ref> is a federal republic of fifty states, a capitol district, and fifteen territories. It is a prosperous and somewhat a [[conservative]],a [[liberal]] and Christian nation, based on the longest-running [[Constitution]] in history. Located on the [[North American]] continent, it is bound mainly by [[Canada]] to the north, [[Mexico]] to the south, the [[Pacific Ocean]] to the west, and the [[Atlantic Ocean]] to the east. Founded originally as 13 colonies in the [[British Empire]], Britain's American colonies formally broke with the mother country on July 4, 1776 with the [[Declaration of Independence]].<ref>IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776. [http://www.ushistory.org/Declaration/document/index.htm The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America], ushistory.org, (Accessed August 2010).</ref> Britain formally recognized the independence of the new nation, the United States of America, in the 1783 Treaty of Paris, which ended the [[American Revolutionary War]]. Shortly thereafter, in 1787, the [[United States Constitution]] was written; grounded on [[Republican form of government|republican]] political principles.

The Constitution remains in effect today, albeit with several amendments since then. The Americans created political parties and, since abolishing [[slavery]] in a bloody [[American Civil War|civil war]] (1861–65), instituted a form of government guided by the rule of law rather than the desires of a majority of voters. According to the U.S. Constitution written by America's [[Founding Fathers]], the United States is a [[Constitutional Republic]] that functions as a representative [[democracy]]. America derives many of its policies from Christian Principles and the logic behind the Bible.(See the section on ''Natural Law'') Many people view America as holding a special place among nations, due to its foundations in liberty and justice.

America's [[free market]] economy grew rapidly, becoming the largest in the world by the 1870s. Between 1791 and 1959, 37 new states were added to the original 13 as the nation expanded across the North American continent and acquired a number of overseas possessions. After defeating the Soviet Union in the [[Cold War]], the U.S. emerged as the world's only [[superpower]], boasting the largest economy and most powerful military. It exerts enormous cultural and intellectual influence worldwide, and in return is the target of the enemies of democracy and [[capitalism]].

The capital of the United States of America is [[Washington, DC]].

== People ==
[[File:Php3sfokfPM.jpg|225px|left|At Washington, DC.]]
Population: 321,634,000 (2015 est.)<ref>2016 ''Britannica Book of the Year''.</ref>
Population growth rate: 0.97% (2010 est.) Labor force: 153.9 million (2010 est.).

Ethnic groups: white 79.96%, black 12.85%, Asian 4.43%, Amerindian and Alaska native 0.97%, native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander 0.18%, two or more races 1.61% (July 2007 estimate) note: a separate listing for Hispanic is not included because the US Census Bureau considers Hispanic to mean persons of Spanish/Hispanic/Latino origin including those of Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, Dominican Republic, Spanish, and Central or South American origin living in the US who may be of any race or ethnic group (white, black, Asian, etc.); about 15.1% of the total US population is Hispanic <ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/us.html CIA - The World Factbook.]</ref>

In 2010, around 400,000 [[illegal immigrants]] were deported. The Pew Hispanic Center, a nonpartisan research organization in Washington, estimates 11.5 million to 12 million "unauthorized migrants" live in the US today.<ref>[http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0516/p01s02-ussc.html Illegal immigrants in the US: How many are there?]</ref>

Although the diverse group of immigrants that has come to the U.S. speak many languages, [[English]] is the traditional unifying language of the United States and is necessary for full civic and cultural participation.

The religious affiliation of the United States is summarized in the following table.<ref>2016 ''Britannica Book of the Year''.</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Religion
!Percentage
|-
|Independent Christian
|23.2%
|-
|[[Roman Catholic]]
|19.6%
|-
|[[Protestant]] (including Anglican)
|18.9%
|-
|unaffiliated
|16.5%
|-
|[[Mormon]]/[[Jehovah's Witnesses]]
|3.3%
|-
|Jewish
|1.9%
|-
|Orthodox
|1.8%
|-
|Muslim
|1.6%
|-
|Buddhist
|0.9%
|-
|Other
|12.3%
|}

==Geography==

[[File:Colorado.jpg|thumb|[[Colorado]].]]
Forty-eight of the fifty United States form a regional grouping known as the contiguous United States, bordering both the North [[Atlantic Ocean]] and the North [[Pacific Ocean]] and lying between [[Canada]] and [[Mexico]]. Two of the fifty states, Alaska and Hawaii, are not contiguous with any of the other states. Alaska is located to the northwest of [[Canada]] and lies across the [[Bering Strait]] from the Russian Federation. [[Hawaii]] is an [[archipelago]] located in the North Pacific Ocean. Puerto Rico, which is largely self-governing, is a commonwealth and is considered part of the U.S., as are several smaller territories in the Pacific Ocean, such as Guam. Each of the 50 states has a large degree of sovereignty, but the boundaries are debated and shift slightly every year.

At over 3.7 million square miles (over 9.6 million km²), the U.S. (including its non-contiguous and overseas states and territories) is the third largest country by total area (after Russia and Canada). It is the world's third most populous nation, with over 350 million people (after China and India).

Mt. McKinley, Alaska, is the highest point in North America and Death Valley, California, is the lowest point on the continent.<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/us.html CIA World Factbook], ''North America :: United States'', Updated on February 23, 2011, (Accessed on February 23, 2011).</ref>

Most American cities, such as [[Los Angeles]] or [[New York City]], are ugly, partly due to the massive inner-city crime within their boundaries and their failed leftist leadership which as ruined quality of life.

==History==
===Natural Law===
Many people familiar with the American Revolution do not realize that America is based on [[Natural Law]]. As [[Cleon Skousen]] points out:
{{cquote|Most modern Americans have never studied Natural Law. They are therefore mystified by the constant reference to Natural Law by the Founding Fathers.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Skousen|first1=Cleon|title=[[The Five Thousand Year Leap]]|date=1981|pages=33}}</ref>}}
[[Natural Law]] recognizes that certain laws are natural; that is, these laws naturally existing ''pre-date'' the existence of governments. Natural Law[s] generally indicate the existence of natural rights as well, which [[John Locke]] writes about in his book [[Two Treatises of Government]]. The writings of John Locke are mentioned several times in both the [[Constitutional Convention]] as well as [[The Federalist Papers]]. Natural Law is not only something that was very well understood by the generation that would become the [[Founding Fathers]], but it was also well recognized by the generations preceding the founding generation. Those generations that landed on the shores of America, most of whom were seeking religious liberty. The relationship between Liberty, Natural Law, and God can be seen in many of the documents preceding the founding, such as the dedication given at the [[Liberty Tree]] by a [[Sons of Liberty|son of liberty]] named [[Silas Downer]], as well as the first written constitution of the 13 colonies, [[Connecticut]]'s [[Fundamental Orders of Connecticut|Fundamental Orders]]
===American Revolution===
{{main|American Revolution}}
[[File:Washington-deleware.jpg|thumb|left|Washington, Chief of the Continental Army, is shown crossing the Delaware River.]]
The American Revolution exploded from fears the British Empire was trying to restrict the historic rights and liberties of Americans. The British victory in the French and Indian War ended the threat that foreign powers might attack the colonies; Britain's protection was no longer needed. At the same time Britain decided to assert its powers by imposing [[taxes]]. The taxes (as on stamps, sugar, and tea) were not large but the principle was simple: Americans insisted their own [[legislature]]s could impose taxes but not [[Parliament]], because Americans were not represented there. "No taxation without representation!" and "[[Don't tread on me]]" became common phrases in America by the American people, but the British refused over and over again to accept it. London sent in troops when Boston protested vehemently, and Americans organized shadow governments in every colony.

The Americans were adopting a new political philosophy, called [[republicanism]], which stressed civic virtue, fear of corruption, and disdain for [[aristocracy]] (there were no aristocrats in America apart from occasional British visitors). Republicanism alerted Americans to their constitutional rights as Englishmen – one right was that the people, through their elected officials, set the taxes and upheld law. Constitutionally, to Americans their "elected officials" were not represented in the British Parliament, it meant having their own colonial legislatures. The British replied haughtily toward this desire from the Americans, going so far as to suggest America was "virtually represented" by the British Parliament in some way or form.

====Boston Tea Party====
{{main|Boston Tea Party}}

The British Parliaments idea of representation in America fueled their desire to increase taxes on the Americans. The tax on stamps in 1765 incited near rebellion, as the 13 separate colonies began meeting together and sharing their grievances. The stamp tax was repealed but others followed, especially the tax on tea. In response, Americans boycotted tea and merchants refused to order it, except in Boston. There, a well-organized group of patriots dumped the tea in the harbor, historically known as the [[Boston Tea Party]]. These events infuriated London, so they sent troops to North America and stripped [[Massachusetts]] of its self-government and suspended the historic rights the colonists were so proud of.

====Thirteen Colonies====
{{main|Thirteen Colonies}} [[Image:Pop1750.jpg|right|thumb|400px]]

The thirteen original colonies began organizing shadow governments, called "Committees of Correspondence," which prepared the Americans for the day "patriots" (or "Whigs," as they called themselves) could assume all functions of local government. That day came when the British sent troops from Boston to seize gunpowder in attempt to dismantle a potential revolt, and the American patriots gathered there to defend their liberty. These patriots were known as the American "Minute men," a well trained militia, and had planned for this day at Lexington and Concord. When the militia clashed with the elite British troops they soundly defeated them, prompting an historic backlash from Britain. The American Revolution had begun.

The thirteen colonies, organized as the "[[First Continental Congress]]," became a national government as the shadow governments in each colony took control and ousted all royal officials. Congress set up a [[Continental Army]] and gave command to an American hero and Virginia's leader, [[George Washington]]. George Washington took charge in Boston, and he forced the British to leave in the spring of 1776. All 13 colonies were at this point in control of the American Patriots, and they listened as [[Tom Paine]] explained ''Common Sense'' principles, proudly boasting of America's strength and its power as a new nation. America, in its own right as an individual nation no longer needed nor wanted a foreign [[King]]. Congress called on the colonies to become States and to write new State constitutions. On July 4, 1776, Congress unanimously declared the independence of a new nation, the United States of America.

====France in the American Revolutionary War====
[[File:Marquis de Lafayette.jpg|thumb|[[Marquis de Lafayette]].]]
King [[George III]] could not abide the insolent Americans and he sent his small army and large navy to America in attempt to reconquer his lost colonies. They were able to recapture [[New York City]], but the King's failure to spread elsewhere greatly outweighed this small victory. The powerful Royal navy gave the British command of the seas and the ability to land troops anywhere and capture any specific place, but the shortage of British soldiers, and the very long 3000 mile supply line, meant that the British could only hold a few points at any one time. Hiring German soldiers (Hessians) was necessary, but they were not enough, for the Patriots always had more available soldiers. The British expectations that Loyalist would rise up and overthrow the Patriots was a [[chimera]]; the Loyalists did provide some help to British invasion forces, but were never strong enough to operate on their own or control any territory.

[[France]], humiliated by Britain in the 1760s, was stronger in the late 1770s than it was a decade earlier and wanted revenge against the British for their past woes. Thus, the French secretly armed and financed the Americans. Lafayette, a French general in the American Revolutionary War, served in the Continental Army under George Washington. He convinced France to send their first naval and land forces to the Americas and participated in defending Richmond, Virginia from Benedict Arnold and in the battle of Yorktown, Virginia; Lafayette contributed in no slight degree toward the grand result.

In 1777, the British sent a large army to invade [[New York]] and cut off the revolutionary states of [[New England]]. The plan was a disaster as the American militia captured the entire British invasion force at Saratoga. Encouraged by diplomat [[Benjamin Franklin]], the French recognized the United States as an independent nation, signed a treaty of alliance, and entered the war against Britain. Later, the treaty extended to [[Spain]] and the [[Netherlands]] as allies to America; Britain's diplomacy was disjointed that it had no allies at all, and was militarily matched or surpassed by America and its new allies. The British invasion of the South in 1780-81 was designed to bring out Loyalist support, but it failed and the second major British army was captured at the [[Battle of Yorktown]]. The British Parliament revolted at their reckless king and his incompetent government and sued for peace, which was achieved on terms favorable to the U.S. in 1783. About 20% of the Loyalists moved to [[Canada]], but many stayed in America, and the new peaceful nation resumed its rapid growth.

===New Nation===
[[File:Bierstadt Looking Down Yosemite-Valley 1865.jpg|thumb|[[Albert Bierstadt]], ''Looking Down Yosemite-Valley'', 1865.]]
In 1783, when the Treaty of Paris concluded the war of independence, the American population totalled some three million citizens and slaves living on about one million square miles of land. Tens of thousands of [[Native Americans]] also lived in the [[Northwest Territory]] and the Southwest.

The Thirteen original states are [[Connecticut]], [[Delaware]], [[Georgia]], [[Maryland]], [[Massachusetts]] (including [[maine]]), [[New Hampshire]], [[New Jersey]], [[New York]], [[North Carolina]], [[Pennsylvania]], [[Rhode Island]], [[South Carolina]] and [[Virginia]]. In 1790, an agreement between supporters of Jefferson and those of [[Alexander Hamilton]] resulted in the creation of the [[District of Columbia]] from part of [[Maryland]]; it has served as the national capital since 1800. The remainder of the 1783 territory was eventually organized as the states of [[Ohio]], [[Indiana]], [[Michigan]], [[Illinois]], [[Wisconsin]], [[Kentucky]], [[Tennessee]], [[Mississippi]] and [[Alabama]].

===Westward Expansion===
[[File:U.S. Territorial Acquisitions PD WC.jpg|thumb|left|Territorial acquisitions such as the Thirteen Colonies, the Louisiana Purchase, and British and Spanish Cession.]]
In 1803, [[French]] first consul [[Napoleon Bonaparte]] took advantage of a lull in his war with Great Britain to sell the [[Louisiana Territory]] to the United States, more than doubling the nation's land area. This territory would later be organized as the states of [[Minnesota]], [[North Dakota]], [[South Dakota]], [[Montana]], [[Wyoming]], [[Nebraska]], [[Iowa]], [[Missouri]], [[Arkansas]], [[Kansas]], [[Oklahoma]], and [[Louisiana]] proper. President Jefferson commissioned [[Lewis and Clark]] to explore the new territory from 1802 to 1804.

The U.S. seized, then purchased [[Florida]] from Spain in 1819. [[Texas]] joined the United States in 1845 after winning its revolution against Mexico.
[[File:Map Leading Group by County US.jpg|thumb|Map Leading Group by County, 2000.]]
After victory the [[Mexican American War]] of 1846-48, the U.S. purchased via the [[Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo]] territory that became the states of [[California]], [[Nevada]], [[Utah]], [[Colorado]], [[New Mexico]] and [[Arizona]]. In 1846 the U.S. and Britain agreed that the 49th Parallel (degree of latitude) would serve as the boundary between the U. S. and [[British Columbia]] (now part of Canada). The American portion became the states of [[Washington]], [[Oregon]] and [[Idaho]].

===Civil War===
{{main|American Civil War}}
An issue that had been left unresolved at the [[Constitutional Convention]] was [[slavery]]. The South's largely agricultural economy depended on slave labor to work its cotton plantations. The North was more heavily industrialized, and slavery was outlawed in northern states. After a series of failed compromises, the South broke away to form the [[Confederate States of America]], following the election of President [[Abraham Lincoln]] of the new [[Republican Party]] in the election of 1860. Four long years of war ended in the spring of 1865 with the surrenders of Confederate generals [[Robert E. Lee]] at Appomattox, [[Virginia]] and [[Joseph E. Johnston]] at Durham, [[North Carolina]].

===America Acquires an Empire===

In 1867, the U.S. purchased [[Alaska]] from [[Russia]]. It became a state in 1959.

Hawaii became an independent republic in 1894 and voluntarily joined the U.S. in 1898, becoming a state in 1960.

As a result of the [[Spanish-American War]], the United States took control of the [[Philippines]] and annexed [[Puerto Rico]] and [[Guam]]. The Philippines became independent in 1946, after the U.S. reconquered the islands from Japan in World War II. [[Puerto Rico]] has occasionally held referendum that ratified its continuing unique "Commonwealth" status as part of the United States. The residents of Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens. Guam continues as a U.S. owned territory with full citizenship for its inhabitants. The people of Puerto Rico and Guam have a vote in presidential primaries and a voice, but not a vote, in Congress.

==The Constitution and Politics in the United States==

[[Image:76485685i79.jpg|right|thumb|300px|The drafting committee presenting the [[Declaration of Independence]] to the [[Continental Congress]], painted by John Trumbull 1817–1819.]]

Between 1776 and 1788, the United States was governed according to the [[Articles of Confederation]]. The Founding Fathers formally established the current structure of the United States by ratification of the [[U.S. Constitution]] in 1788. Since 1789, that constitution has been the basic governing document. America's Founding Fathers understood that a democracy is always in flux and given to “mob rule,”<ref>[[Michelle Malkin]]. [http://michellemalkin.com/2009/03/27/the-coming-g20-riots-the-spread-of-mob-rule/comment-page-1/ The coming G20 riots & the spread of mob rule], ''Michelle Malkin'', March 27, 2009.</ref> while a republic is fixed and stable, resting on “the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God.” Because of the uncertainty of democracy, [[Benjamin Rush]] — a signer of the Declaration of Independence — wrote: “A simple democracy is one of the greatest of evils.”<ref>AWR Hawkins. [http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/america-a-republic-not-a-democracy/ America: A Republic, Not a Democracy], ''Pajamas Media'', September 03, 2009.</ref>

Sovereignty in America comes from the citizenry, and the basic political values are called "[[republicanism]]," (not to be confused with the [[Republican Party]],) especially the commitment to civic virtue and civic duty, and opposition to corruption and aristocracy. Popular political parties emerged in the United States in the 1790s; currently the two major political parties are the [[Democratic Party]], and the [[Republican Party]]. Minor parties are of little importance overall but can be useful in pushing certain topics to the public eye.

States within the United States must have their own individual Constitutions as well, which usually adhere to that individual State's understanding of Natural Law, however, the supreme rule of the United States Constitution take precedence.<ref>[http://newmexico.heavensentgaming.com/lexicon/american-modern-culture/ American modern culture] on the [[New Mexico Cultural Encyclopedia, Lexicon, and News]]</ref>

=== The Role of Religion in Government ===
{{main|Religion and U.S. Government}}

==Government==
{{main|United States Federal Government}}

[[Image:56eugyjnm.jpg|right|thumb|300px|The [[White House]], the official home and workplace of the [[President of the United States]] of America.]]

===Executive Branch===

*Chief of state: The [[President of the United States]] is both the chief of state and head of government
*Head of government: President of the United States; [[Vice President of the United States]]
*Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with Senate approval
*Elections: The president and vice president serve four-year terms (eligible for a second term)

===Legislative Branch===

The United States legislative branch of government is a [[bicameral]] Congress, which consists of the [[United States Senate|Senate]] (100 seats, 2 members are elected from each state by popular vote to serve six-year terms; one-third are elected every two years) and the [[House of Representatives]] (435 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms).

===Judicial Branch===
{{main|Supreme Court of the United States}}

The United States [[Supreme Court]] consists of nine justices, nominated by the president and confirmed with the advice and consent of the Senate. The judicial branch also includes the United States Circuit Courts of Appeal, and the United States District Courts. Article III, Section 1, of the U.S. Constitution provides that judges serve "during good Behavior," ''i.e.'', until they resign, die, or are impeached. The Supreme Court's decision in ''Marbury v. Madison'' established judicial review, whereby the federal courts have the power to declare federal and state laws and actions of the executive branch of the federal or a state government unconstitutional.

== Economy ==

The US has the largest and most technologically powerful economy in the world, with a per capita GDP of $47,400. In this market-oriented economy, private individuals and business firms make most of the decisions, and the federal and state governments buy needed goods and services predominantly in the private marketplace. US business firms enjoy greater flexibility than their counterparts in [[Europe]] and [[Japan]] in decisions to expand capital plant, to lay off surplus workers, and to develop new products. At the same time, they face higher barriers to enter their rivals' home markets than foreign firms face entering US markets. US firms are at or near the forefront in technological advances, especially in computers and in medical, aerospace, and military equipment; their advantage has narrowed since the end of World War II.

The onrush of technology largely explains the gradual development of a "two-tier labor market" in which those at the bottom lack the education and the professional/technical skills of those at the top and, more and more, fail to get comparable pay raises, health insurance coverage, and other benefits. Unfortunately, China remains both the banker and salesman to the United State's role as buyer, and debtor. This will not end well for the United States, Republican president or not. Since 1975, practically all the gains in household income have gone to the top 20% of households. The war in March–April 2003 between a US-led coalition and Iraq, and the subsequent occupation of Iraq, required major shifts in national resources to the military. Soaring oil prices between 2005 and the first half of 2008 threatened [[inflation]] and [[unemployment]], as higher gasoline prices ate into consumers' budgets. Imported oil accounts for about 60% of US consumption. Long-term problems include inadequate investment in economic infrastructure, rapidly rising medical and pension costs of an aging population, sizable [[trade deficit]]s and [[budget deficit]]s, and stagnation of family income in the lower economic groups.
[[File:Gast1872.jpg|thumb|"American Progress," painting by John Gast, 1872.]]
The merchandise trade deficit reached a record $840 billion in 2008 before shrinking to $506 billion in 2009, and ramping back up to $630 billion in 2010. The global economic downturn, the sub-prime mortgage crisis, investment bank failures, falling home prices, and tight credit pushed the United States into a [[recession]] by mid-2008. [[GDP]] contracted until the third quarter of 2009, making this the deepest and longest downturn since the [[Great Depression]]. To help stabilize financial markets, the US Congress established a $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) in October 2008. The government used some of these funds to purchase equity in US banks and other industrial corporations, much of which had been returned to the government by early 2011.

In January 2009 the US Congress passed and President [[Barack Obama]] signed a bill providing an additional $787 billion fiscal stimulus to be used over 10 years - two-thirds on additional spending and one-third on tax cuts - to create jobs and to help the economy recover. Approximately two-thirds of these funds were injected into the economy by the end of 2010. In March 2010, President Obama signed a health insurance reform bill into law that will extend coverage to an additional 32 million American citizens by 2016, through private health insurance for the general population and Medicaid for the impoverished. In July 2010, the president signed the DODD-FRANK Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, a bill designed to promote financial stability by protecting consumers from financial abuses, ending taxpayer bailouts of financial firms, dealing with troubled banks that are "too big to fail," and improving accountability and transparency in the financial system - in particular, by requiring certain financial derivatives to be traded in markets that are subject to government regulation and oversight.

In November 2010, in an attempt to keep interest rates from rising and snuffing out the nascent recovery, the US Federal Reserve Bank (The Fed) announced that it would purchase $600 billion worth of US Government bonds by June 2011.

The United States is the leading industrial power in the world, highly diversified and technologically advanced; [[petroleum]], [[steel]], motor vehicles, aerospace, telecommunications, chemicals, [[electronics]], food processing, consumer goods, lumber, mining.
<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/us.html CIA - The world Factbook]</ref>

==Flag Description==
[[Image:50 star flag.png|left|thumb|150px|The [[Flag of the United States of America]]]]
{{main|Flag of the United States of America}}

Thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of five stars; the 50 stars represent the 50 states, the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies; known as Old Glory; the design and colors might have been the basis for a number of other flags, including [[Chile]], [[Liberia]], [[Malaysia]], and [[Puerto Rico]].

{{Clear}}

==References==
[[File:Weir, Afternoon by the Pond, ca. 1908-1909.jpg|thumb|Julian Alden Weir, Afternoon by the Pond, ca. 1908-1909.]]

{{reflist}}

{{Clear}}

== See also==
[[File:Lawrence The Migration of the Negro.jpg|thumb|The Migration of the Negro by [[Jacob Lawrence]], 1940-1941.]]
*[[Pledge of Allegiance]]
*[[Famous American artists]]
*[[List of 50 states]]
*[[Americas]]
*[[America (continent)]]
*[[Columbia]]
*[[Gallery of American Masterpieces]]
*[[Christian Nation]]
*[[American conservatism]]
*[[Adair v. United States]]
*[[Americana]]

{{Clear}}

==External links==
*[[CIA]] - [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/us.html The World FactBook]
*[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/616563/United-States United States.]
*[http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/america.htm America]
*[http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/flags_of_us_states.htm Flags of the U.S. States]
*[http://www.pibmug.com/files/map_test.swf Interactive map test of the 50 U.S. states]
*[http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h445.html U.S. History]
*[http://www.theroot.com/buzz/who-owns-united-states Who Owns the United States?]
*[http://sociology.ucsc.edu/whorulesamerica/power/wealth.html Wealth, Income, and Power.] by G. William Domhoff, University of California Santa Cruz.
*[http://bertschlossberg.blogspot.com/ Real Life and Death: the Bible, Israel, and America interplay]

{{USstates}}

[[Category:North American Countries]]
[[Category:United States of America]]
[[Category:NATO Members]]
[[Category:United States History]]
[[Category:Featured articles]]
[[Category:Christian-Majority Countries]]

United States of America

2017-04-03T19:42:59Z

Coolguy: Remove Christian from unaffiliated. Added Liberal from this article

{{Country
|name =''United States of America''
|map =US map.PNG
|map2 =Loc of United States.png
|established=1776
|flag =50 star flag.png
|arms =United States arms.png
|capital =Washington, D.C.
|government =Constitutional Republic
|language =English
|official =n
|president =Donald John Trump
|area =3,796,742 sq mi
|pop =324,611,000 (2017)
|gdp =$18.558 trillion (2016)
|gdp-year =
|gdp-pc =$57,220 (2016)
|currency =United States Dollar (USD)
}}
The '''United States of America'''<ref>(''conventional short form'': '''United States'''; ''abbreviation'': '''US''' or '''USA'''; sometimes also referred to as '''the States''' or simply as '''America''')</ref> is a federal republic of fifty states, a capitol district, and fifteen territories. It is a prosperous and somewhat a [conservative],a [liberal] and Christian nation, based on the longest-running [[Constitution]] in history. Located on the [[North American]] continent, it is bound mainly by [[Canada]] to the north, [[Mexico]] to the south, the [[Pacific Ocean]] to the west, and the [[Atlantic Ocean]] to the east. Founded originally as 13 colonies in the [[British Empire]], Britain's American colonies formally broke with the mother country on July 4, 1776 with the [[Declaration of Independence]].<ref>IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776. [http://www.ushistory.org/Declaration/document/index.htm The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America], ushistory.org, (Accessed August 2010).</ref> Britain formally recognized the independence of the new nation, the United States of America, in the 1783 Treaty of Paris, which ended the [[American Revolutionary War]]. Shortly thereafter, in 1787, the [[United States Constitution]] was written; grounded on [[Republican form of government|republican]] political principles.

The Constitution remains in effect today, albeit with several amendments since then. The Americans created political parties and, since abolishing [[slavery]] in a bloody [[American Civil War|civil war]] (1861–65), instituted a form of government guided by the rule of law rather than the desires of a majority of voters. According to the U.S. Constitution written by America's [[Founding Fathers]], the United States is a [[Constitutional Republic]] that functions as a representative [[democracy]]. America derives many of its policies from Christian Principles and the logic behind the Bible.(See the section on ''Natural Law'') Many people view America as holding a special place among nations, due to its foundations in liberty and justice.

America's [[free market]] economy grew rapidly, becoming the largest in the world by the 1870s. Between 1791 and 1959, 37 new states were added to the original 13 as the nation expanded across the North American continent and acquired a number of overseas possessions. After defeating the Soviet Union in the [[Cold War]], the U.S. emerged as the world's only [[superpower]], boasting the largest economy and most powerful military. It exerts enormous cultural and intellectual influence worldwide, and in return is the target of the enemies of democracy and [[capitalism]].

The capital of the United States of America is [[Washington, DC]].

== People ==
[[File:Php3sfokfPM.jpg|225px|left|At Washington, DC.]]
Population: 321,634,000 (2015 est.)<ref>2016 ''Britannica Book of the Year''.</ref>
Population growth rate: 0.97% (2010 est.) Labor force: 153.9 million (2010 est.).

Ethnic groups: white 79.96%, black 12.85%, Asian 4.43%, Amerindian and Alaska native 0.97%, native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander 0.18%, two or more races 1.61% (July 2007 estimate) note: a separate listing for Hispanic is not included because the US Census Bureau considers Hispanic to mean persons of Spanish/Hispanic/Latino origin including those of Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, Dominican Republic, Spanish, and Central or South American origin living in the US who may be of any race or ethnic group (white, black, Asian, etc.); about 15.1% of the total US population is Hispanic <ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/us.html CIA - The World Factbook.]</ref>

In 2010, around 400,000 [[illegal immigrants]] were deported. The Pew Hispanic Center, a nonpartisan research organization in Washington, estimates 11.5 million to 12 million "unauthorized migrants" live in the US today.<ref>[http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0516/p01s02-ussc.html Illegal immigrants in the US: How many are there?]</ref>

Although the diverse group of immigrants that has come to the U.S. speak many languages, [[English]] is the traditional unifying language of the United States and is necessary for full civic and cultural participation.

The religious affiliation of the United States is summarized in the following table.<ref>2016 ''Britannica Book of the Year''.</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Religion
!Percentage
|-
|Independent Christian
|23.2%
|-
|[[Roman Catholic]]
|19.6%
|-
|[[Protestant]] (including Anglican)
|18.9%
|-
|unaffiliated
|16.5%
|-
|[[Mormon]]/[[Jehovah's Witnesses]]
|3.3%
|-
|Jewish
|1.9%
|-
|Orthodox
|1.8%
|-
|Muslim
|1.6%
|-
|Buddhist
|0.9%
|-
|Other
|12.3%
|}

==Geography==

[[File:Colorado.jpg|thumb|[[Colorado]].]]
Forty-eight of the fifty United States form a regional grouping known as the contiguous United States, bordering both the North [[Atlantic Ocean]] and the North [[Pacific Ocean]] and lying between [[Canada]] and [[Mexico]]. Two of the fifty states, Alaska and Hawaii, are not contiguous with any of the other states. Alaska is located to the northwest of [[Canada]] and lies across the [[Bering Strait]] from the Russian Federation. [[Hawaii]] is an [[archipelago]] located in the North Pacific Ocean. Puerto Rico, which is largely self-governing, is a commonwealth and is considered part of the U.S., as are several smaller territories in the Pacific Ocean, such as Guam. Each of the 50 states has a large degree of sovereignty, but the boundaries are debated and shift slightly every year.

At over 3.7 million square miles (over 9.6 million km²), the U.S. (including its non-contiguous and overseas states and territories) is the third largest country by total area (after Russia and Canada). It is the world's third most populous nation, with over 350 million people (after China and India).

Mt. McKinley, Alaska, is the highest point in North America and Death Valley, California, is the lowest point on the continent.<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/us.html CIA World Factbook], ''North America :: United States'', Updated on February 23, 2011, (Accessed on February 23, 2011).</ref>

Most American cities, such as [[Los Angeles]] or [[New York City]], are ugly, partly due to the massive inner-city crime within their boundaries and their failed leftist leadership which as ruined quality of life.

==History==
===Natural Law===
Many people familiar with the American Revolution do not realize that America is based on [[Natural Law]]. As [[Cleon Skousen]] points out:
{{cquote|Most modern Americans have never studied Natural Law. They are therefore mystified by the constant reference to Natural Law by the Founding Fathers.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Skousen|first1=Cleon|title=[[The Five Thousand Year Leap]]|date=1981|pages=33}}</ref>}}
[[Natural Law]] recognizes that certain laws are natural; that is, these laws naturally existing ''pre-date'' the existence of governments. Natural Law[s] generally indicate the existence of natural rights as well, which [[John Locke]] writes about in his book [[Two Treatises of Government]]. The writings of John Locke are mentioned several times in both the [[Constitutional Convention]] as well as [[The Federalist Papers]]. Natural Law is not only something that was very well understood by the generation that would become the [[Founding Fathers]], but it was also well recognized by the generations preceding the founding generation. Those generations that landed on the shores of America, most of whom were seeking religious liberty. The relationship between Liberty, Natural Law, and God can be seen in many of the documents preceding the founding, such as the dedication given at the [[Liberty Tree]] by a [[Sons of Liberty|son of liberty]] named [[Silas Downer]], as well as the first written constitution of the 13 colonies, [[Connecticut]]'s [[Fundamental Orders of Connecticut|Fundamental Orders]]
===American Revolution===
{{main|American Revolution}}
[[File:Washington-deleware.jpg|thumb|left|Washington, Chief of the Continental Army, is shown crossing the Delaware River.]]
The American Revolution exploded from fears the British Empire was trying to restrict the historic rights and liberties of Americans. The British victory in the French and Indian War ended the threat that foreign powers might attack the colonies; Britain's protection was no longer needed. At the same time Britain decided to assert its powers by imposing [[taxes]]. The taxes (as on stamps, sugar, and tea) were not large but the principle was simple: Americans insisted their own [[legislature]]s could impose taxes but not [[Parliament]], because Americans were not represented there. "No taxation without representation!" and "[[Don't tread on me]]" became common phrases in America by the American people, but the British refused over and over again to accept it. London sent in troops when Boston protested vehemently, and Americans organized shadow governments in every colony.

The Americans were adopting a new political philosophy, called [[republicanism]], which stressed civic virtue, fear of corruption, and disdain for [[aristocracy]] (there were no aristocrats in America apart from occasional British visitors). Republicanism alerted Americans to their constitutional rights as Englishmen – one right was that the people, through their elected officials, set the taxes and upheld law. Constitutionally, to Americans their "elected officials" were not represented in the British Parliament, it meant having their own colonial legislatures. The British replied haughtily toward this desire from the Americans, going so far as to suggest America was "virtually represented" by the British Parliament in some way or form.

====Boston Tea Party====
{{main|Boston Tea Party}}

The British Parliaments idea of representation in America fueled their desire to increase taxes on the Americans. The tax on stamps in 1765 incited near rebellion, as the 13 separate colonies began meeting together and sharing their grievances. The stamp tax was repealed but others followed, especially the tax on tea. In response, Americans boycotted tea and merchants refused to order it, except in Boston. There, a well-organized group of patriots dumped the tea in the harbor, historically known as the [[Boston Tea Party]]. These events infuriated London, so they sent troops to North America and stripped [[Massachusetts]] of its self-government and suspended the historic rights the colonists were so proud of.

====Thirteen Colonies====
{{main|Thirteen Colonies}} [[Image:Pop1750.jpg|right|thumb|400px]]

The thirteen original colonies began organizing shadow governments, called "Committees of Correspondence," which prepared the Americans for the day "patriots" (or "Whigs," as they called themselves) could assume all functions of local government. That day came when the British sent troops from Boston to seize gunpowder in attempt to dismantle a potential revolt, and the American patriots gathered there to defend their liberty. These patriots were known as the American "Minute men," a well trained militia, and had planned for this day at Lexington and Concord. When the militia clashed with the elite British troops they soundly defeated them, prompting an historic backlash from Britain. The American Revolution had begun.

The thirteen colonies, organized as the "[[First Continental Congress]]," became a national government as the shadow governments in each colony took control and ousted all royal officials. Congress set up a [[Continental Army]] and gave command to an American hero and Virginia's leader, [[George Washington]]. George Washington took charge in Boston, and he forced the British to leave in the spring of 1776. All 13 colonies were at this point in control of the American Patriots, and they listened as [[Tom Paine]] explained ''Common Sense'' principles, proudly boasting of America's strength and its power as a new nation. America, in its own right as an individual nation no longer needed nor wanted a foreign [[King]]. Congress called on the colonies to become States and to write new State constitutions. On July 4, 1776, Congress unanimously declared the independence of a new nation, the United States of America.

====France in the American Revolutionary War====
[[File:Marquis de Lafayette.jpg|thumb|[[Marquis de Lafayette]].]]
King [[George III]] could not abide the insolent Americans and he sent his small army and large navy to America in attempt to reconquer his lost colonies. They were able to recapture [[New York City]], but the King's failure to spread elsewhere greatly outweighed this small victory. The powerful Royal navy gave the British command of the seas and the ability to land troops anywhere and capture any specific place, but the shortage of British soldiers, and the very long 3000 mile supply line, meant that the British could only hold a few points at any one time. Hiring German soldiers (Hessians) was necessary, but they were not enough, for the Patriots always had more available soldiers. The British expectations that Loyalist would rise up and overthrow the Patriots was a [[chimera]]; the Loyalists did provide some help to British invasion forces, but were never strong enough to operate on their own or control any territory.

[[France]], humiliated by Britain in the 1760s, was stronger in the late 1770s than it was a decade earlier and wanted revenge against the British for their past woes. Thus, the French secretly armed and financed the Americans. Lafayette, a French general in the American Revolutionary War, served in the Continental Army under George Washington. He convinced France to send their first naval and land forces to the Americas and participated in defending Richmond, Virginia from Benedict Arnold and in the battle of Yorktown, Virginia; Lafayette contributed in no slight degree toward the grand result.

In 1777, the British sent a large army to invade [[New York]] and cut off the revolutionary states of [[New England]]. The plan was a disaster as the American militia captured the entire British invasion force at Saratoga. Encouraged by diplomat [[Benjamin Franklin]], the French recognized the United States as an independent nation, signed a treaty of alliance, and entered the war against Britain. Later, the treaty extended to [[Spain]] and the [[Netherlands]] as allies to America; Britain's diplomacy was disjointed that it had no allies at all, and was militarily matched or surpassed by America and its new allies. The British invasion of the South in 1780-81 was designed to bring out Loyalist support, but it failed and the second major British army was captured at the [[Battle of Yorktown]]. The British Parliament revolted at their reckless king and his incompetent government and sued for peace, which was achieved on terms favorable to the U.S. in 1783. About 20% of the Loyalists moved to [[Canada]], but many stayed in America, and the new peaceful nation resumed its rapid growth.

===New Nation===
[[File:Bierstadt Looking Down Yosemite-Valley 1865.jpg|thumb|[[Albert Bierstadt]], ''Looking Down Yosemite-Valley'', 1865.]]
In 1783, when the Treaty of Paris concluded the war of independence, the American population totalled some three million citizens and slaves living on about one million square miles of land. Tens of thousands of [[Native Americans]] also lived in the [[Northwest Territory]] and the Southwest.

The Thirteen original states are [[Connecticut]], [[Delaware]], [[Georgia]], [[Maryland]], [[Massachusetts]] (including [[maine]]), [[New Hampshire]], [[New Jersey]], [[New York]], [[North Carolina]], [[Pennsylvania]], [[Rhode Island]], [[South Carolina]] and [[Virginia]]. In 1790, an agreement between supporters of Jefferson and those of [[Alexander Hamilton]] resulted in the creation of the [[District of Columbia]] from part of [[Maryland]]; it has served as the national capital since 1800. The remainder of the 1783 territory was eventually organized as the states of [[Ohio]], [[Indiana]], [[Michigan]], [[Illinois]], [[Wisconsin]], [[Kentucky]], [[Tennessee]], [[Mississippi]] and [[Alabama]].

===Westward Expansion===
[[File:U.S. Territorial Acquisitions PD WC.jpg|thumb|left|Territorial acquisitions such as the Thirteen Colonies, the Louisiana Purchase, and British and Spanish Cession.]]
In 1803, [[French]] first consul [[Napoleon Bonaparte]] took advantage of a lull in his war with Great Britain to sell the [[Louisiana Territory]] to the United States, more than doubling the nation's land area. This territory would later be organized as the states of [[Minnesota]], [[North Dakota]], [[South Dakota]], [[Montana]], [[Wyoming]], [[Nebraska]], [[Iowa]], [[Missouri]], [[Arkansas]], [[Kansas]], [[Oklahoma]], and [[Louisiana]] proper. President Jefferson commissioned [[Lewis and Clark]] to explore the new territory from 1802 to 1804.

The U.S. seized, then purchased [[Florida]] from Spain in 1819. [[Texas]] joined the United States in 1845 after winning its revolution against Mexico.
[[File:Map Leading Group by County US.jpg|thumb|Map Leading Group by County, 2000.]]
After victory the [[Mexican American War]] of 1846-48, the U.S. purchased via the [[Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo]] territory that became the states of [[California]], [[Nevada]], [[Utah]], [[Colorado]], [[New Mexico]] and [[Arizona]]. In 1846 the U.S. and Britain agreed that the 49th Parallel (degree of latitude) would serve as the boundary between the U. S. and [[British Columbia]] (now part of Canada). The American portion became the states of [[Washington]], [[Oregon]] and [[Idaho]].

===Civil War===
{{main|American Civil War}}
An issue that had been left unresolved at the [[Constitutional Convention]] was [[slavery]]. The South's largely agricultural economy depended on slave labor to work its cotton plantations. The North was more heavily industrialized, and slavery was outlawed in northern states. After a series of failed compromises, the South broke away to form the [[Confederate States of America]], following the election of President [[Abraham Lincoln]] of the new [[Republican Party]] in the election of 1860. Four long years of war ended in the spring of 1865 with the surrenders of Confederate generals [[Robert E. Lee]] at Appomattox, [[Virginia]] and [[Joseph E. Johnston]] at Durham, [[North Carolina]].

===America Acquires an Empire===

In 1867, the U.S. purchased [[Alaska]] from [[Russia]]. It became a state in 1959.

Hawaii became an independent republic in 1894 and voluntarily joined the U.S. in 1898, becoming a state in 1960.

As a result of the [[Spanish-American War]], the United States took control of the [[Philippines]] and annexed [[Puerto Rico]] and [[Guam]]. The Philippines became independent in 1946, after the U.S. reconquered the islands from Japan in World War II. [[Puerto Rico]] has occasionally held referendum that ratified its continuing unique "Commonwealth" status as part of the United States. The residents of Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens. Guam continues as a U.S. owned territory with full citizenship for its inhabitants. The people of Puerto Rico and Guam have a vote in presidential primaries and a voice, but not a vote, in Congress.

==The Constitution and Politics in the United States==

[[Image:76485685i79.jpg|right|thumb|300px|The drafting committee presenting the [[Declaration of Independence]] to the [[Continental Congress]], painted by John Trumbull 1817–1819.]]

Between 1776 and 1788, the United States was governed according to the [[Articles of Confederation]]. The Founding Fathers formally established the current structure of the United States by ratification of the [[U.S. Constitution]] in 1788. Since 1789, that constitution has been the basic governing document. America's Founding Fathers understood that a democracy is always in flux and given to “mob rule,”<ref>[[Michelle Malkin]]. [http://michellemalkin.com/2009/03/27/the-coming-g20-riots-the-spread-of-mob-rule/comment-page-1/ The coming G20 riots & the spread of mob rule], ''Michelle Malkin'', March 27, 2009.</ref> while a republic is fixed and stable, resting on “the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God.” Because of the uncertainty of democracy, [[Benjamin Rush]] — a signer of the Declaration of Independence — wrote: “A simple democracy is one of the greatest of evils.”<ref>AWR Hawkins. [http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/america-a-republic-not-a-democracy/ America: A Republic, Not a Democracy], ''Pajamas Media'', September 03, 2009.</ref>

Sovereignty in America comes from the citizenry, and the basic political values are called "[[republicanism]]," (not to be confused with the [[Republican Party]],) especially the commitment to civic virtue and civic duty, and opposition to corruption and aristocracy. Popular political parties emerged in the United States in the 1790s; currently the two major political parties are the [[Democratic Party]], and the [[Republican Party]]. Minor parties are of little importance overall but can be useful in pushing certain topics to the public eye.

States within the United States must have their own individual Constitutions as well, which usually adhere to that individual State's understanding of Natural Law, however, the supreme rule of the United States Constitution take precedence.<ref>[http://newmexico.heavensentgaming.com/lexicon/american-modern-culture/ American modern culture] on the [[New Mexico Cultural Encyclopedia, Lexicon, and News]]</ref>

=== The Role of Religion in Government ===
{{main|Religion and U.S. Government}}

==Government==
{{main|United States Federal Government}}

[[Image:56eugyjnm.jpg|right|thumb|300px|The [[White House]], the official home and workplace of the [[President of the United States]] of America.]]

===Executive Branch===

*Chief of state: The [[President of the United States]] is both the chief of state and head of government
*Head of government: President of the United States; [[Vice President of the United States]]
*Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with Senate approval
*Elections: The president and vice president serve four-year terms (eligible for a second term)

===Legislative Branch===

The United States legislative branch of government is a [[bicameral]] Congress, which consists of the [[United States Senate|Senate]] (100 seats, 2 members are elected from each state by popular vote to serve six-year terms; one-third are elected every two years) and the [[House of Representatives]] (435 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms).

===Judicial Branch===
{{main|Supreme Court of the United States}}

The United States [[Supreme Court]] consists of nine justices, nominated by the president and confirmed with the advice and consent of the Senate. The judicial branch also includes the United States Circuit Courts of Appeal, and the United States District Courts. Article III, Section 1, of the U.S. Constitution provides that judges serve "during good Behavior," ''i.e.'', until they resign, die, or are impeached. The Supreme Court's decision in ''Marbury v. Madison'' established judicial review, whereby the federal courts have the power to declare federal and state laws and actions of the executive branch of the federal or a state government unconstitutional.

== Economy ==

The US has the largest and most technologically powerful economy in the world, with a per capita GDP of $47,400. In this market-oriented economy, private individuals and business firms make most of the decisions, and the federal and state governments buy needed goods and services predominantly in the private marketplace. US business firms enjoy greater flexibility than their counterparts in [[Europe]] and [[Japan]] in decisions to expand capital plant, to lay off surplus workers, and to develop new products. At the same time, they face higher barriers to enter their rivals' home markets than foreign firms face entering US markets. US firms are at or near the forefront in technological advances, especially in computers and in medical, aerospace, and military equipment; their advantage has narrowed since the end of World War II.

The onrush of technology largely explains the gradual development of a "two-tier labor market" in which those at the bottom lack the education and the professional/technical skills of those at the top and, more and more, fail to get comparable pay raises, health insurance coverage, and other benefits. Unfortunately, China remains both the banker and salesman to the United State's role as buyer, and debtor. This will not end well for the United States, Republican president or not. Since 1975, practically all the gains in household income have gone to the top 20% of households. The war in March–April 2003 between a US-led coalition and Iraq, and the subsequent occupation of Iraq, required major shifts in national resources to the military. Soaring oil prices between 2005 and the first half of 2008 threatened [[inflation]] and [[unemployment]], as higher gasoline prices ate into consumers' budgets. Imported oil accounts for about 60% of US consumption. Long-term problems include inadequate investment in economic infrastructure, rapidly rising medical and pension costs of an aging population, sizable [[trade deficit]]s and [[budget deficit]]s, and stagnation of family income in the lower economic groups.
[[File:Gast1872.jpg|thumb|"American Progress," painting by John Gast, 1872.]]
The merchandise trade deficit reached a record $840 billion in 2008 before shrinking to $506 billion in 2009, and ramping back up to $630 billion in 2010. The global economic downturn, the sub-prime mortgage crisis, investment bank failures, falling home prices, and tight credit pushed the United States into a [[recession]] by mid-2008. [[GDP]] contracted until the third quarter of 2009, making this the deepest and longest downturn since the [[Great Depression]]. To help stabilize financial markets, the US Congress established a $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) in October 2008. The government used some of these funds to purchase equity in US banks and other industrial corporations, much of which had been returned to the government by early 2011.

In January 2009 the US Congress passed and President [[Barack Obama]] signed a bill providing an additional $787 billion fiscal stimulus to be used over 10 years - two-thirds on additional spending and one-third on tax cuts - to create jobs and to help the economy recover. Approximately two-thirds of these funds were injected into the economy by the end of 2010. In March 2010, President Obama signed a health insurance reform bill into law that will extend coverage to an additional 32 million American citizens by 2016, through private health insurance for the general population and Medicaid for the impoverished. In July 2010, the president signed the DODD-FRANK Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, a bill designed to promote financial stability by protecting consumers from financial abuses, ending taxpayer bailouts of financial firms, dealing with troubled banks that are "too big to fail," and improving accountability and transparency in the financial system - in particular, by requiring certain financial derivatives to be traded in markets that are subject to government regulation and oversight.

In November 2010, in an attempt to keep interest rates from rising and snuffing out the nascent recovery, the US Federal Reserve Bank (The Fed) announced that it would purchase $600 billion worth of US Government bonds by June 2011.

The United States is the leading industrial power in the world, highly diversified and technologically advanced; [[petroleum]], [[steel]], motor vehicles, aerospace, telecommunications, chemicals, [[electronics]], food processing, consumer goods, lumber, mining.
<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/us.html CIA - The world Factbook]</ref>

==Flag Description==
[[Image:50 star flag.png|left|thumb|150px|The [[Flag of the United States of America]]]]
{{main|Flag of the United States of America}}

Thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of five stars; the 50 stars represent the 50 states, the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies; known as Old Glory; the design and colors might have been the basis for a number of other flags, including [[Chile]], [[Liberia]], [[Malaysia]], and [[Puerto Rico]].

{{Clear}}

==References==
[[File:Weir, Afternoon by the Pond, ca. 1908-1909.jpg|thumb|Julian Alden Weir, Afternoon by the Pond, ca. 1908-1909.]]

{{reflist}}

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== See also==
[[File:Lawrence The Migration of the Negro.jpg|thumb|The Migration of the Negro by [[Jacob Lawrence]], 1940-1941.]]
*[[Pledge of Allegiance]]
*[[Famous American artists]]
*[[List of 50 states]]
*[[Americas]]
*[[America (continent)]]
*[[Columbia]]
*[[Gallery of American Masterpieces]]
*[[Christian Nation]]
*[[American conservatism]]
*[[Adair v. United States]]
*[[Americana]]

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==External links==
*[[CIA]] - [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/us.html The World FactBook]
*[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/616563/United-States United States.]
*[http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/america.htm America]
*[http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/flags_of_us_states.htm Flags of the U.S. States]
*[http://www.pibmug.com/files/map_test.swf Interactive map test of the 50 U.S. states]
*[http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h445.html U.S. History]
*[http://www.theroot.com/buzz/who-owns-united-states Who Owns the United States?]
*[http://sociology.ucsc.edu/whorulesamerica/power/wealth.html Wealth, Income, and Power.] by G. William Domhoff, University of California Santa Cruz.
*[http://bertschlossberg.blogspot.com/ Real Life and Death: the Bible, Israel, and America interplay]

{{USstates}}

[[Category:North American Countries]]
[[Category:United States of America]]
[[Category:NATO Members]]
[[Category:United States History]]
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