Was Our Country Founded on Christian Beliefs?

[sargentlgfuad]

"I am an Epicurean. I consider the genuine (not the imputed) doctrines of Epicurus as containing everything rational in moral philosophy which Greek and Roman leave to us." (an Epicurean believes in Gods, but as atomic beings that do not interfere with our lifes, as in it is useless to pray, sacrifice, or inflect punishment or blessings upon others; they are looked at as merely supremely happy beings, which is the goal to strive for in life)
"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."

-Thomas Jefferson

EDIT: sorry for saying Our Country (as if everyone was from America), so just answer how you wish.

[Machu505]

As a matter of fact, no (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/0f/Article_11.GIF).

[phil19]

im not sure about your country, but mine wasnt

[sargentlgfuad]

Your polls fucking suck. Obviously you have no idea what your talking about
how?

[domotime2]

I dont think the link neccesarily proves him wrong at all actually. Of course "technically" and "officially" the country wasnt founded on Christian beliefs, but that doesnt mean that the constitution and basic principles of the founding of America werent founded by some Christian undertones.

Ben Franklin's address to continental congress, June 28 1787.
""In the beginning of the contest with Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for divine protection. Our prayers, sir, were heard and they were graciously answered. Have we now forgotten this powerful friend? Or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance? I have lived, sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: that God governs in the affairs of man. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?"

George Washington,
"No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency...."

"It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favors."


I mean the United States evolved from the founding religous heavy colonies. So to say that these undertones didnt follow the founding fathers and America into the late 18th and early 19th century is foolish. Or to say that its stupid to think this way, is foolish too.

[Tristan Needler]

Your polls fucking suck. Obviously you have no idea what your talking about
What's up your ass, buddy?

It looks to me like he believes that the US was not founded on Christian beliefs, seeing how he posted a quote by Jefferson, talking about how Christianity was not something with which he agreed. You seem to be, very angrily, supporting him.

[queenofcrouton]

Not at all.

[Ryzenfall]

"Founded" can be pretty broad. Either way, I don't see the point in getting worked up over a poll.

[Machu505]

I dont think the link neccesarily proves him wrong at all actually. Of course "technically" and "officially" the country wasnt founded on Christian beliefs, but that doesnt mean that the constitution and basic principles of the founding of America werent founded by some Christian undertones.

Ben Franklin's address to continental congress, June 28 1787.
""In the beginning of the contest with Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for divine protection. Our prayers, sir, were heard and they were graciously answered. Have we now forgotten this powerful friend? Or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance? I have lived, sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: that God governs in the affairs of man. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?"

George Washington,
"No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency...."

"It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favors."


I mean the United States evolved from the founding religous heavy colonies. So to say that these undertones didnt follow the founding fathers and America into the late 18th and early 19th century is foolish. Or to say that its stupid to think this way, is foolish too.

Actually, many of our founding fathers were Deist or agnostic (http://freethought.mbdojo.com/foundingfathers.html).

[recall reality]

I think Jefferson had it right...

He saw Christianity as the highest expression of natural religion and Jesus as an incomparably great moral teacher. He was not an orthodox Christian because he rejected, among other things, the doctrines that Jesus was the promised Messiah and the incarnate Son of God. In fact, he found most of the new testament to be complete BS.

The Declaration of Independence, for example, relies upon deist theology, rather than Christian.

a couple good Jefferson quotes on the matter:

"No man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burdened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer, on account of his religious opinions or belief; but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matters of religion, and that the same shall in no wise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil capacities."

"Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legislative 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."

Of course, this is just one founding fathers opinion, but it is the one with which I hold the highest esteem. Religion clearly had an influence, but people mistake references to God as the doctrine of Christianity.

[sargentlgfuad]

Of course, this is just one founding fathers opinion, but it is the one with which I hold the highest esteem. Religion clearly had an influence, but people mistake references to God as the doctrine of Christianity.
thank you.

[LongDistanceDrunk]

What's up your ass, buddy?

It looks to me like he believes that the US was not founded on Christian beliefs, seeing how he posted a quote by Jefferson, talking about how Christianity was not something with which he agreed. You seem to be, very angrily, supporting him.
I was pretty drunk so I was rude and made an ass of myself. Now that I read his post I actually see his stance and look like an idiot.

[LongDistanceDrunk]

thank you.

Sorry dude for being rude yesterday about your polls. I was drunk and sometimes I can get pretty mean when I drink No hard feelings

[Tristan Needler]

I was pretty drunk so I was rude and made an ass of myself. Now that I read his post I actually see his stance and look like an idiot.
Haha it happens to the best of us.

[domotime2]

Actually, many of our founding fathers were Deist or agnostic (http://freethought.mbdojo.com/foundingfathers.html).
this is true...but that still doesnt mean many other players of the constitution and war, and the pressures of the American public, didnt help ensue Christian undertones in the creation of our nation.

[brokenhats]

its funny when people who live in america call america god country, because it is NOT and NO our countries founding fathers fucking hated religion, well most of them did. in fact some are quoted dissing religion, basically saying how religion will kill us all

[feversNmirrors]

Founded on Christianity: No

Built on Christianity: Yes.

[caress me down]

I'm athiest, but there's no doubt in my mind that the bulk of my morals come from the 10 commandments

[sargentlgfuad]

I'm athiest, but there's no doubt in my mind that the bulk of my morals come from the 10 commandments
makes as much sense as saying "I'm a Christian, but The Koran is my holy bible"

[birthstoned]

Fuck No!

[Machu505]

I'm athiest, but there's no doubt in my mind that the bulk of my morals come from the 10 commandments

So God is your lord? I think you mean your morals come from common sense.

[caress me down]

makes as much sense as saying "I'm a Christian, but The Koran is my holy bible"

I was raised as a christian. My parents went by the 10 commandments. The morals of society in general are based on the ten commandments. It actually makes a lot of sense.

So God is your lord? I think you mean your morals come from common sense.

Haha. My morals come from MOST of the commandments.

[Machu505]

I was raised as a christian. My parents went by the 10 commandments. The morals of society in general are based on the ten commandments. It actually makes a lot of sense.


The way I see it, it's actually the other way around. I believe the ten commandments are based upon conventional morality.

[Bsoule11]

I think Jefferson had it right...

He saw Christianity as the highest expression of natural religion and Jesus as an incomparably great moral teacher. He was not an orthodox Christian because he rejected, among other things, the doctrines that Jesus was the promised Messiah and the incarnate Son of God. In fact, he found most of the new testament to be complete BS.

The Declaration of Independence, for example, relies upon deist theology, rather than Christian.

Of course, this is just one founding fathers opinion, but it is the one with which I hold the highest esteem. Religion clearly had an influence, but people mistake references to God as the doctrine of Christianity.

Jefferson acknowledged his faith in Christianity many times and believed the doctrines of Jesus to be true. Our "founding fathers" who wrote our constitution (and like documents) believed that God is the only absolute truth and His word is also true. It seems that the overwhelming majority of our "fathers" shared the same worldview.

“It [the Bible] is a document in proof that I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus."
[Jan 9, 1816 Letter to Charles Thomson]

"I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus." [Letter to Benjamin Rush April 21, 1803]

“Of all the systems of morality, ancient or modern which have come under my observation, none appears to me so pure as that of Jesus.”

[TruthBeTold 13]

Europeans first came here for religious freedom, then people realized that the Native American's didn't follow Christianity and acted like douchebags. Then the country was built around common religious beliefs, not necessarily Christian ones, and slowly expanded into what is supposedly religious tolerance.

[recall reality]

Jefferson acknowledged his faith in Christianity many times and believed the doctrines of Jesus to be true. Our "founding fathers" who wrote our constitution (and like documents) believed that God is the only absolute truth and His word is also true. It seems that the overwhelming majority of our "fathers" shared the same worldview.

“It [the Bible] is a document in proof that I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus."
[Jan 9, 1816 Letter to Charles Thomson]

"I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus." [Letter to Benjamin Rush April 21, 1803]

“Of all the systems of morality, ancient or modern which have come under my observation, none appears to me so pure as that of Jesus.”

I didn't say anything to the contrary of Jefferson's belief that Jesus was the greatest moral teacher in his eyes, but he saw him as little more than that, the Jefferson Bible alone acknowledges this. His ridicule and distaste for what we would call "real Christianity" is also well documented. God was also central to his life, but he was at most Unitarian.

The first two quotes are a bit misleading without his background.

And while most of the drafters of The Constitution were indeed devout Christians, though of many different sects, the religious language is rather deliberately absent, especially considering their faith. We established a secular government on the basis of popular sovereignty (rather than by God) and democratic principle, with free exercise of religion, with none to be established. A radical idea in its day. Our country was intended to be untainted by the many problems which sectarian divisions, religious violence, and Christian bigotry had inflicted in the past.

Beliefs stemming from Christianity have obviously had their influence, but those beliefs aren't necessarily unique to Christianity. The majority of our citizens have always been Christian, but our country was founded on so much more. Vague question.

What I do know: few of our forefathers shared the views of the conservative evangelicals that I hear using this statement as an argument today.

[sofaraway]

All documents written around the time of the countries founding were written with the idea of religious liberty in mind. The founding fathers did not intend to create a "Christian" nation, like many people may believe, but rather a nation free of established religion. This differed with Europe at the time because an agreement was made among European countries that who ever rules may make their own religion the religion of the respective countries that they ruled.

In terms of founding the country on Christian beliefs, I would argue yes and no. Yes because, indeed, most of the founding fathers had been influenced by Christianity since England's religion of choice was the Anglican church (which is really the Catholic church except Henry VIII made himself supreme ruler of the church when the Catholic church would not give him dispensation when he asked for a divorce from his many wives, but that was earlier on). No because Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, etc., all worked towards religious liberty, not necessarily a Christian foundation. Thomas Jefferson was a Deist, and a Christian, but this means that he did not believe in the divinity of Christ, just in his teachings. He even cut up his bible to only include the teachings of Christ and not the miracles. Since Christianity believes in the divinity of Christ, and Thomas Jefferson as well as other founding fathers did not, then it could be argued that America was found on pseudo-Christian beliefs with the intention of religious liberty for all people.

EDIT: If you would like to read a good book about it, I would suggest John Meacham's American Gospel.

[sofaraway]

its funny when people who live in america call america god country, because it is NOT and NO our countries founding fathers fucking hated religion, well most of them did. in fact some are quoted dissing religion, basically saying how religion will kill us all

What evidence suggests that? Where are your sources?

[spansen]

to all those who voted yes?.. you're wrong. this isn't an opinion question. this is a fact.

i vote no. it was not. it has a christian mind-set, in that it is meant to promote the greater humanity in all of us-- but that's not just a christian thing.. and there are clauses in the constitution stating we are all free to choose our own religion, and clauses banning the government's promotion of any one religion.

[caress me down]

The way I see it, it's actually the other way around. I believe the ten commandments are based upon conventional morality.
agree to disagree.

[Machu505]

to all those who voted yes?.. you're wrong. this isn't an opinion question. this is a fact.

I am amazed that people fail to see this.

agree to disagree.

So be it.

[jmirand1]

Yep. Just read Deist writings by both Franklin and Jefferson in one of my classes.

[more heart]

No at all

[mxpxjf]

If by "our country" you mean Canada, then no.

[AndyReierson]

I believe our founders were mostly Christians, but the question can't possibly be answered with absolution. I am not a Christian but I believe the teachings of Christ influenced a lot of our constitution. You could really make a good argument either way though, so who knows...