Changes

'''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.

'''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.  This raises contradictions with the legal doctrine of separation of church and state, the freedom of religion held by both Christian and non-Christian citizens, and the mainstream conservative's advocacy against big, intrusive government.

==The founding fathers==

==The founding fathers==

Regarding [[Thomas Jefferson]], Peterson states Jefferson was a [[Theism|theist]] "whose God was the Creator of the universe&nbsp;... 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>

Regarding [[Thomas Jefferson]], Peterson states Jefferson was a [[Theism|theist]] "whose God was the Creator of the universe&nbsp;... 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&nbsp;... 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&nbsp;... 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>

Jefferson was firmly [[Anti-clericalism|anticlerical]], writing in "every age, the priest has been hostile to liberty&nbsp;... 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&nbsp;... 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>W. W. Hening, ed., Statutes at Large of Virginia, vol. 12 (1823): 84–86.</ref>

==Acceptance among conservatives and Christians==

==Acceptance among conservatives and Christians==

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"/>

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==

==Christian heritage==

 

Prior to (and during) the American Revolution, the involvement of preachers was well known.(See [[Black Robed Regiment]])

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>

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>

During United States history, the Christian religion has been misapplied to justify the oppression and exclusion of minority groups from the mainstream economy and culture. Although the specific acts of hate and violence were against Christian values, the leaders of these groups misused Christianity as a rallying point to defend their actions. For example, during the pre-Civil War era, slaves and black freemen were not considered "true Christians" and were excluded from attending church with white denominations. Later, the [[Ku Klux Klan]] terrorized blacks, Catholics and Jews.

== State Church ==

== State Church ==