Not Too Long Didn't Read

I’ve been struggling with the concept of a Christian Nation argument. Some folks have an idea that America is for “Christians only”  and “English language only”  and other ideas like that and that anyone who doesn’t agree or immediately conform should just leave.

Ironically, that same sect of Christianity are among the very folks that the Constitution was  designed to protect. Hence, those “nationalist ideas” are also a part of the complex fabric of the melting pot we call America.

A lot of people out there are fond of knee-jerk reactions but I’m not wired that way. At least I try not to be. So to those folks, I might say something like this…

That idea that America is a “Christian Nation” is a very significant and complex topic, and a proper response requires a thoughtful, fact-based, and respectful approach.

I will attempt to address the historical, constitutional, and philosophical points.

I understand the feeling of strong connection to one’s faith and the desire to see those values upheld. However, the claim that the US was founded exclusively as a Christian nation for Christians and that dissenters should leave is historically inaccurate and runs contrary to the foundational principles of our government.

A few key points to consider regarding the founding documents and historical context:

The core legal document of the United States, the Constitution, is a secular document.

* No Religious Test: Article VI, Clause 3 states, “…no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.” This was a radical break from European tradition and ensured that a person’s faith (or lack thereof) could not bar them from public service.

* The First Amendment: The Establishment Clause states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” This clause guarantees that the federal government cannot create or endorse a national religion (like an “official” Christian church) and ensures the separation of church and state.

* The Treaty of Tripoli (1797): Ratified unanimously by the Senate, Article 11 explicitly states: “As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion…” This shows the clear intent of the Founders themselves to distinguish the new government from the often oppressive theocracies of the old world.

While many of the Founders were personally religious, they were also deeply influenced by Enlightenment principles that emphasized reason, liberty, and individual rights over religious dogma.

* They created a system specifically designed to avoid the religious wars and persecutions they had witnessed and fled in Europe.

* Figures like Thomas Jefferson and James Madison were champions of religious liberty for all people, not just Christians. Madison, often called the “Father of the Constitution,” explicitly argued against government support for any religion, seeing it as corrupting to both the state and the church.

The values central to the American identity—Liberty, Equality, and Justice for all—are not exclusive to a single religion. I would suggest those are some of the reasons why people love this country and are attracted to come here. We shouldn’t jeopardize that freedom.

* Freedom of Conscience: The founding principle is that every individual has the right to follow their own conscience and worship (or not worship) as they choose, without coercion from the government or pressure from the majority. This is the very definition of religious freedom, and it applies equally to Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, atheists, and all others.

* A Nation of Immigrants: The US has been a melting pot from its earliest days. To suggest that anyone who doesn’t immediately conform to a specific cultural or religious standard should “move away” undermines the tradition of immigration and the celebration of pluralism that has historically strengthened the nation. The US is defined not by a single race, language, or religion, but by a shared commitment to the ideals laid out in the Constitution.

I live in a state where we’re pretty much bilingual. So it’s not quite as diverse as a European multi-lingual language experience where people might learn seven or even a dozen languages.  However, it gives us some insight into how people can coexist in a multilingual society. It is true that it is useful for people to adopt a common tongue so that they can do practical things. That doesn’t happen overnight.

But it’s also true that it is good to respect other people in their own homes and in their own places of business. So that knife cuts both ways. If you look at it clearly, it doesn’t usually take more than a generation for most people to assimilate the dominant tongue, And within two generations they’re usually fluent.

The United States was founded as a secular republic committed to the protection of religious liberty and the rights of all citizens, regardless of their background or belief. Respecting the Constitution means welcoming the full participation of all people—English speakers or not, churchgoers or not—as long as they adhere to the law.

I’m not going to go into it here, but there’s plenty of folks who claim to be citizens and who have no respect for the laws, or our Constitution.

I’m more concerned about them than I am about the other folks who choose to come here who are in fact law abiding.