Tuesday, May 29, 2012

In what sense is America a Christan Nation?

Source unknown… my apologies

          In what sense can America not be called a Christian nation?
·         Not in the sense that Christianity is the established religion or that the people are in any manner compelled to support it.  On the contrary, the Constitution specifically provides that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
·         Neither are we a Christian nation in the sense that all its citizens are Christians.
On the contrary, all religions have free scope within our borders.
         ·       Nor are we a Christian nation in the sense that a profession of Christianity is a condition for holding office. In fact, the government as a legal organization is independent of all religions.

but, America is a Christian nation in the sense that Christian principles are enshrined in the founding documents of the nation.   

Do we have a Godless Constitution?
The founding documents (Constitution, Bill of Rights and other Amendments) heavily quote other documents as sources of our founding principles and ideals.  34% of these quotes are Scripture. 
 
What are some of the ideals of our nation as expressed in its Founding Documents?
·         Humble recognition of God’s blessings and providence.
·         Constitutional limits to Government.
·         Government under the consent of the governed.
·         Separation of powers.
·         Established rights of the governed that government constitutionally cannot breach.
·         A Republican form of government.
 

What is Historical Revisionism?
It is the attempt to alter the way people view their own history and traditions for the purpose of persuading them to accept a change in public policy or in societal values and norms.

 What is Pluralism?
Healthy pluralism is tolerating the expression of any and all religious beliefs in either the private or public arena.  This is a founding principle of our nation and is reflected in the founding documents of this country.  Dysfunctional pluralism is the prevention of such expression in the public square.  Today, because of a revisionist interpretation of the 1st amendment, the only beliefs allowed to be expressed in the public arena are cultural are secular beliefs.  The secularization of American society is in a very real sense making secular beliefs the established religion.


What is Progressivism?
One facet of modern the Progressive Movement is that it is intimately tied to modern liberalism and the politics of the welfare state and the re-distribution of wealth.  Progressivism holds that this transformation of society can only be achieved by a centralized government that has sufficient power to remake society and our economic system.  This necessitates revisionism and/or the remaking of the founding principles of the nation (such as limited government, self-determination, and free markets, and the economic rights and the initiative of the individual).


In what ways should churches be involved in politics?

Churches may not:
1. Endorse or oppose a particular candidate.
2. Contribute to or raise money for a candidate.

Churches may:
1.    Speak up for the Christian principles on which this country was founded.
2.    Register their members as voters.
3.    Pass out Voter’s Guides.
4.    Invite all the candidates to speak.
5.    Speak directly about specific issues and legislation (abortion, marriage, etc.)