The Gov't of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion...

[Postman]

Art. 11. 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 tranquillity, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.


Authored by American diplomat Joel Barlow in 1796, the following treaty was sent to the floor of the Senate, June 7, 1797, where it was read aloud in its entirety and unanimously approved. John Adams, having seen the treaty, signed it and proudly proclaimed it to the Nation.

http://www.stephenjaygould.org/ctrl/treaty_tripoli.html

US Treaty with Tripoli 1796-1797

I do believe John Adams was a "Founding Father" as it were.

[MannyGoldstein]

1. Not At All

Most of the Founders couldn't stand organized Christianity.

[Kansas Wyatt]

2. Go ahead and start some shit with the Fundies now

They are Batshit Loony, and claim that all of our Founding Fathers created a Christian Nation that must never be questioned. My ex couldn't figure out why I thought they were a cult. Oh by the way, she would have said that you took that out of context, so it didn't count.

[Postman]

4. Interesting information about Deists and the "Founding Fathers"

http://www.nobeliefs.com/freemasons.htm

[Kansas Wyatt]

5. You don't understand...

They will argue and refuse to look at the truth, claim you are misrepresenting the Founding Fathers, and give you propaganda to support their agenda and claim it is the only reliable information you can accept. Lunacy! Oh, and everyone else who is not a 'True Christian' (whatever that means, and Catholics are not according to them) is inferior to them and are condemned to Hell. Atheists are immoral and beneath human too.

No shit, I was told this garbage. At least the sex was outstanding though.

[rudeboy666]

3. They call it diplomacy. n/t

[fdonagaugh]

6. Some of the wisdom of the founders...

The United States of America have exhibited, perhaps, the first example of governments erected on the simple principles of nature; and if men are now sufficiently enlightened to disabuse themselves of artifice, imposture, hypocrisy, and superstition, they will consider this event as an era in their history. Although the detail of the formation of the American governments is at present little known or regarded either in Europe or in America, it may hereafter become an object of curiosity. It will never be pretended that any persons employed in that service had interviews with the gods, or were in any degree under the influence of Heaven, more than those at work upon ships or houses, or laboring in merchandise or agriculture; it will forever be acknowledged that these governments were contrived merely by the use of reason and the senses.
-- John Adams, "A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America" (1787-88), from Adrienne Koch, ed., The American Enlightenment: The Shaping of the American Experiment and a Free Society (1965) p. 258, quoted from Ed and Michael Buckner, "Quotations that Support the Separation of State and Church"

The most detestable wickedness, the most horrid cruelties, and the greatest miseries that have afflicted the human race have had their origin in this thing called revelation, or revealed religion.
-- Thomas Paine

The civil government ... functions with complete success ... by the total separation of the Church from the State.
-- James Madison

We have abundant reason to rejoice that in this Land the light of truth and reason has triumphed over the power of bigotry and superstition ... In this enlightened Age and in this Land of equal liberty it is our boast, that a man's religious tenets will not forfeit the protection of the Laws, nor deprive him of the right of attaining and holding the highest Offices that are known in the United States.
-- George Washington

Because religious belief, or non-belief, is such an important part of every person's life, freedom of religion affects every individual. State churches that use government power to support themselves and force their views on persons of other faiths undermine all our civil rights. Moreover, state support of the church tends to make the clergy unresponsive to the people and leads to corruption within religion. Erecting the "wall of separation between church and state," therefore, is absolutely essential in a free society.
-- Thomas Jefferson

[PA Democrat]

12. Thanks for the great quotes

and welcome to DU, fdonagaugh.

[LiberalFighter]

7. There is not one reference to Christianity, God or Church

The only reference to religion is no religion.

If the United States was founded on Christianity the 10 Commandments would had been made part of the Constitution. There would had been a requirement that all citizens belong to a Christian religion and that they believe in a god. They would had been required to pay a tithe to their church or face prosecution. Jesus would had been required to be part of the United States seal. There would had been a requirement to attend church every Sunday and absolutely no work done including mail delivery.

[provis99]

8. nice, but you're trying to fight fundamentalists with truth and reason

Things they don't in particular high regard. They function on irrational fear and obediance, not that pesky "reality" thing.

[bonito]

9. What ,you can't walk on water

Your mother wasn't a virgin and don't tell me you can't raise the dead!

:sarcasm:

[DeepModem Mom]

10. K&R

[timtom]

11. Why is this an issue in 2007?

When I encounter someone who spouts such nonsense ("Christian nation") I turn and walk away, shaking my head sadly.

There is, in all probability, no such thing as a de facto "Christian nation (excluding the Vatican which is more of a city-state).

This is sort of a "no duh" discussion.

[IsItJustMe]

13. From my knowledge, no it was not. I think this is a myth was formulated at a later date by,

especially starting in the 1980's, Repuke think takes and right wing groups.

[madokie]

14. You are right, best I can tell. here is a link concerning that

http://www.treas.gov/education/fact-sheets/currency/in-god-we-trust.shtml

[CT_Progressive]

15. Here is a visualization :)