Is America founded on Christianity?
With the advent of mixed religious beliefs, this is an increasingly contentious question, as we move closer and closer to an ever-changing, much less Christian-dominated America. Since the establishment of our nation, the United States of America, this question has become even more hotly debated. To understand the history, context and implications of this issue, a closer look must be taken at the facts.
Since its conception, the U.S. has been influenced by both the Christian religion, as well as the ideas found expressed in places such as the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. Many of the founding fathers were in fact practicing Christians, with a collectively tolerant viewpoint of Judaism and other faiths. This led to the establishment of what was known as the Biblical Christianity tradition.
In addition to the fact that many of the founding fathers were Christian, there is also evidence of a more general, prevailing public opinion with regard to America being founded on the Christian religion. In the years leading up to America’s founding, numerous pamphlets and documents from religious figures such as John Locke, Roger Williams and John Winthrop declared that the nation ought to be founded on Christian grounds, thereby providing some evidence for this notion.
However, despite this evidence of a Christian founding, American society has seen increasingly diverse religious beliefs in the centuries since. This is exemplified through such organizations as the ACLU, which was founded in 1920 and is devoted to protecting Americans’ civil liberties and rights, as well as organizations such as the Americans United for Separation of Church and State, which was established in 1947 and works to protect Americans’ rights to freedom of religion.
Part of the question of whether or not America was founded on the Christian religion, and what implications such a fact may carry, is whether or not America is actually more accepting and tolerant now than ever before. This is a difficult question, as the answer would by necessity depend largely on the personal perspectives of the individuals involved. To put it simply, opinions on the subject of whether or not America is truly founded on Christianity will certainly differ based upon one’s own personal beliefs.
Secularism
The emergence of a secular culture within America has undeniably been a significant force in reducing the appearance of a Christian-centric society. Recent decades have seen a number of decisions from the Supreme Court of the United States which have placed out-of-state or foreign laws in opposition to the religious orders of certain states or regions. Moreover, legislation such as the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 has made it increasingly permissible for students to be taught in public schools without any direct reference to religion.
Notwithstanding the aforementioned secularism, the implication of the fact that America was founded on the Christian religion remains relevant in more subtle ways. Music, art, literature and other expressions of popular culture are profoundly shaped by the ideas and values of their respective creators-and the influence of a Christian-influenced America is still evident in many of these forms of expression.
For example, many of the most successful contemporary artists have incorporated underlying – and often overt – Christian-related themes in their work, either reflecting their own religious beliefs or honoring the values of the society they inhabit. Similarly, the Bible is one of the most popular books in America and has been the source of a number of traditional values and ideas which continue to find resonance in American society today.
Deeper Meaning
Ultimately, the issue of whether or not America was founded on the Christian religion lies at the heart of a number of contentious issues and debates in American society. While the secularism of the modern world has certainly taken a toll, it is still possible to discern the deeper meaning of America’s religious heritage if one is willing to look for it. In doing so, it becomes clear that many of the debates, concerns, and perspectives which dominate conversation today are inextricably tied to the Christian faith.
For this reason, regardless of the opinions which one holds with regard to religion in America, it is important to recognize and understand the very real influence which the Christian faith has had on our society since its inception. By doing so, we can all gain a better understanding of where we come from, and how this legacy continues to shape our nation and our world today.
Church and State
The relationship between the government and religious institutions is a complex and ongoing issue. Since the founding of the United States, the Church has had a separation from the state. This was primarily based on the idea that forcing a religion on the public would be viewed as oppressive. With this in mind, the American Supreme Court laid down a decisive ruling in Everson vs. Board of Education in 1947.
This ruling established the clear precedent that the separation of church and state was an inalienable right, and that the state had no right to subsidize any religious activities. This set the stage for an interesting debate – could a nation that was predicated on Christian values continue to stand despite being divorced from the Church that created it?
This is a question that is difficult to answer entirely, as there are many people who believe that America should return to its Christian roots and that there should be more overlap between the state and religion. Nonetheless, the debate surrounding church and state and a return to a “Christian” nation persists to this day.
Theology and Society
The role that religious doctrine and the Christian faith have had on the development of American society is certainly important to consider when looking into the question of whether or not America was founded on Christianity. Many of the laws and practices in force today owe some part of their existence to the teachings of the Christian religion, such as the importance placed on marital fidelity, the emphasis on education as a path to betterment, and the importance of self-sacrifice for the benefit of others.
In addition, there can be no denying that the role of the Church was instrumental in guiding the moral attitudes and ideas found in accordance with America’s legal system. This is evidenced by such documents as the Constitutional Bill of Rights, which is based on the principles of natural law as set forth by Christian doctrine.
Though it may be easy to overlook the religious influences present in America today, the evidence of a Christian-based origin for the United States cannot be denied. From the writings of the founding fathers to the societal trends in effect today, there is no doubt that Christianity has been – and continues to be – a powerful force in influencing the course of events in our nation.
Modern Times
The impact that Christianity has had on America can still be witnessed in the present day. From the public display of the Ten Commandments in public forums to global charities inspired by the Christian faith, it is clear that the United States is still very much influenced by its Christian roots.
At the same time, it is important to recognize that – despite the Christianity-based foundation of our nation – America is much more accepting of different religions today than it was in the past. This makes this an especially interesting time to reflect on the question of whether or not America was founded on Christianity, as it is clear that the nation is in a period of transformation.
To truly understand the underlying implications of this question, it is important to look at the evidence from both a historical and a modern perspective. Though the divergence from a fully Christian-influenced nation is undeniable, there is also no doubt that Christianity has played a prominent role in the formation and development of American society.
