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This is a belief that America was founded as a Christian nation is held by many people, especially Christians. However, the answer is quite simple. No, America was not founded as a Christian nation. The intent for its founding was often that of religious freedom as many of the early Americans were those who were seeking a refuge from strict religious based government. The idea of America was that it was a place where freedom was to abide. The different churches, believing different things, could all be here, where persecution would not abide.

Additionally, the founding fathers where not all Christians. Many of them had philosophical beliefs that went beyond what is permissible in the Bible. Some of them were even claimed Deists. A deists is someone who believes in the existence of g/God or a higher power but does not believe that this being interferes with daily life of humans. One can not believe this and still claim to be Christian since the foundation of the Christian belief is that God sent a part of Himself to earth through the virgin Mary. His son, Jesus died on the cross for all of man kinds' sin. This is a belief that does not fit in with a god that observes, but does not participant.

Those who believe whole heartily that America was founded a Christian nation often use two pieces of evidence to show that they are right. The first is the fact that our money says, "in God we trust". This is a little sentence that can be found on every coin and bill in America. However, it isn't one that has been their forever. It can be found on many old coins, as can other phrases. It was added to all the money in 1956, long after the founding of the nation. The second is a little sentence that has caused a great deal of controversy in the public school system, "one nation under God..." which can be found in the Pledge of Allegiance that some schools have said daily for years. However, "one nation under God" was added to the pledge in 1954.

Of course, even if these sentences weren't our proof, we could always ask, is there any proof contrary to the fact that America was founded as a Christian nation. There are several of these proofs. First there is the intent of religious freedom in America. This can be seen very clearly in the Constitution. Then there is the separation on Church and State something that wasn't done very often and certainly not with a religion in mind for the country. This is why the Church of England exists. To govern the religion of the nation. However, the founders of America wished not to have an established national church.

Other little factors are a little more interesting. If we are going to use "in God we trust" from off the money, why not turn a dollar bill over for me. There on the left hand side is a pyramid. Above the pyramid is an eye. This symbol is that of the all seeing eye, which is not a Christian symbol. The all seeing eye was a Deist symbol. The idea behind it was that we were being watched all the time, and yet god was still there watching, but not acting upon it.

However, if you are strong for one belief or the other, I won't be able to convince you. See there are early quotes by founding fathers that could lean toward a Christian belief, and there are quotes that are not Christian in nature. The truth of the matter however is that America is a place where freedom should be held as the truth. We should set aside our differences and embrace our neighbor. That was what America is supposed to be.

Learn more about this author, Danelle Karth.
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