This country was founded on "THAT BOOK" Christians are the ones who opened this country up to allow you Freedom of Religion. You might want to read this book that you say is being thrown at you. And do a little history research. Its great to have these Freedoms in this country and it was Christian Faith that opened it. See Christians are allowed FREE WILL. God Bless you!
Freedom of religion is exactly the point. Freedom of religion also means freedom from religion. Do you feel everyone in this country should convert out some sense of gratitude? bull---t. Yes I have read some of the bible just as you have, by that I mean I doubt you have ever read the entire book just as most people haven't.
What research of history would you like me to do? This country was not founded on the principle of any religion being dominant, hence freedom. Here is a bit of history--
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
When the Founders wrote the nation's Constitution, they specified that "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States." (Article 6, section 3) This provision was radical in its day-- giving equal citizenship to believers and non-believers alike. They wanted to ensure that no single religion could make the claim of being the official, national religion, such as England had. Nowhere in the Constitution does it mention religion, except in exclusionary terms. The words "Jesus Christ, Christianity, Bible, and God" are never mentioned in the Constitution-- not once.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
The Declaration of Independence gives us important insight into the opinions of the Founding Fathers. Thomas Jefferson wrote that the power of the government is derived from the governed. Up until that time, it was claimed that kings ruled nations by the authority of God. The Declaration was a radical departure from the idea of divine authority.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
The 1796 treaty with Tripoli states that the United States was "in no sense founded on the Christian religion" (see below). This was not an idle statement, meant to satisfy muslims-- they believed it and meant it. This treaty was written under the presidency of George Washington and signed under the presidency of John Adams.[/FONT]
In the hundreds of pages comprising Madison?s notes on the constitutional convention (and those of the others who kept notes), there is
no mention of biblical passages/verses in the debates/discussions on the various parts and principles of the Constitution.
They mention Rome, Sparta, German confederacies, Montesquieu, and a number of other sources ? but no Scripture verses.
In The Federalist Papers, there is no mention of biblical sources for any of the Constitution?s principles, either ? one would think they could squeeze them in among the 85 essays if they were, indeed, the sources; especially since the audience was common men who were familiar with, and had respect for, the Bible. The word ?God? is used twice ? and one of those is a reference to the pagan gods of ancient Greece. ?Almighty? is used twice and ?providence? three times ? but neither is ever used in connection with any constitutional principle or influence. The Bible is not mentioned.
In a May 8, 1825 letter to Henry Lee, Jefferson identifies his sources for the Declaration?s principles. He names as sources: Aristotle, Cicero, Locke, and (Algernon) Sidney ? he does not mention the Bible. Then again, the terminology in the Declaration is not specifically Christian ? or even biblical, with the exception of ?Creator.? The term ?providence? is never used of God in the Bible, nor are ?nature?s God? or ?Supreme Judge of the world? ever used in the Bible
We could cut and paste all day but the fact is the founding fathers did not expect every citizen to be of one religion or any religion. This is what makes our country so great, hundreds of different religions living and working together in our society, free to go to the church, synagogue, temple etc. to find peace and comfort worshiping the deity they believe in and not fear being forced into a religion not of their choosing.
