I've heard that sentiment for most of my life. But, what does it really mean? What are the principles, which are exclusive to Christianity, on which America was founded?
Personally, I think the United States was founded based on a liberal egalitarian idea.
I've heard that sentiment for most of my life. But, what does it really mean? What are the principles, which are exclusive to Christianity, on which America was founded?
I'm not the OP, so I don't know if this is what he is getting at, but many use the excuse we are founded on Christian principles to justify being a nation where other faith traditions, or even lack of faith are considered suspect at best.Why do they have to be exclusive to Christianity in order to be Christian?
I'm not the OP, so I don't know if this is what he is getting at, but many use the excuse we are founded on Christian principles to justify being a nation where other faith traditions, or even lack of faith are considered suspect at best.
The present meaning of "Judeo-Christian" regarding ethics first appeared in print on July 27, 1939, with the phrase "the Judaeo-Christian scheme of morals" in the New English Weekly.[9] The term gained much currency in the 1940s, promoted by groups which evolved into the National Conference of Christians and Jews, to fight antisemitism by expressing a more inclusive idea of American values rather than just Christian or Protestant.[10][11] By 1952 Dwight Eisenhower looked to the Founding Fathers of 1776 to say:
"all men are endowed by their Creator." In other words, our form of government has no sense unless it is founded in a deeply felt religious faith, and I don't care what it is. With us of course it is the Judeo-Christian concept, but it must be a religion with all men created equal.[12]
I've heard that sentiment for most of my life. But, what does it really mean? What are the principles, which are exclusive to Christianity, on which America was founded?
Since America was found because of Columbus looking for a place for the Jewish People to call home, it fits with the antisemitism concept.
Why do they have to be exclusive to Christianity in order to be Christian?
Actually going as far as exclusive is going a bit far. That would exclude everything Christianity has in common with Judaism.
That would mean if the Bill of Rights were instead the 10 commandments that would not count.
But I think the challenge still works if one just says reasonably unique and specific to Judeo-Christian thought.
keith99 said:But I think the challenge still works if one just says reasonably unique and specific to Judeo-Christian thought.
Actually going as far as exclusive is going a bit far. That would exclude everything Christianity has in common with Judaism.
That would mean if the Bill of Rights were instead the 10 commandments that would not count.
But I think the challenge still works if one just says reasonably unique and specific to Judeo-Christian thought.
Can we get past the atheist icon, the second-guessing of motives, the mind-reading, and just answer the question? Thanks.
What are the Christian principles on which America was founded on?
Again, why? Why isn't Christian, "Christian" enough?
For instance, if the Founders said, "The Bible forbids stealing. Therefore, because we believe the Bible is the law of God and is the surest way to amity with God and good will among men, we're going to make a law against stealing", why do we then have to prove that no other religion prohibits stealing in order to show that the Founders based their prohibition against stealing on the Bible?
To be honest, it reminds me of the atheists on another message board I post on, who say things like "show me evidence, but don't show me this evidence, this evidence, or that evidence" in order to paint Christian responses into a narrow box.
Because otherwise it would be attributed to whatever other previous values that Christians copied.
When did they cite the Christian scriptures as their source?
Fine. Document this occurred.
BUT don't say that because stealing is illegal in the U.S. the U.S. was founded on Christian Principles when just about every civilization that has ever existed has the same prohibition.
I just realized the First Amendment not only does not support the idea that the U.S. is a Christian country it directly opposed at least 2 of the 10 commandments.
It says you can have any God you like and that you may say what you will, including taking the Lords name in vain.