This is part of an arguement from another board explaining why america is not christian based, and that nothing in the consitution or bill of rights involves christianity in any way shape or form. what do you guys think?
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Okay, I'm with M. here. Have either of you who are saying "America was founded as a Christian country" ever picked up a fucking history book? I mean one NOT written by Jerry Falwell? The founding fathers were Deists.
Deism: A movement or system of thought advocating natural religion, emphasizing morality, and in the 18th century (that would be the 1700's when this country was founded) denying the interference of the creator with the laws of the universe.
In other words, the founding fathers believed that God created us then left us alone, and it was up to US to rule ourselves.
And if that doesn't convince you, here's some quotes:
The First Amendment
?Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion...?
John Adams signed the Treaty of Tripoli (June 7, 1797). Article 11 states:
?The government of the United States is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion.?
John Adams in a letter to Charles Cushing (October 19, 1756):
?Twenty times in the course of my late reading, have I been upon the point of breaking out, ?this would be the best of all possible worlds, if there were no religion in it.??
?The Doctrine of the divinity of Jesus is made a convenient cover for absurdity.?--John Adams
And here's some from Thomas Jefferson:
Jefferson?s interpretation of the first amendment in a letter to the Danbury Baptist Association (January 1, 1802):
?Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legislative powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should ?make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,? thus building a wall of separation between church and State.?
Jefferson?s ?The Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom?:
?Our civil rights have no dependence on our religious opinions, more than on our opinions in physics and geometry....The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.?
Additional quotes from Thomas Jefferson:
?It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself.?
?I have examined all the known superstitions of the word, and I do not find in our particular superstition of Christianity one redeeming feature. They are all alike founded on fables and mythology. Millions of innocent men, women and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined and imprisoned. What has been the effect of this coercion? To make one half of the world fools and the other half hypocrites; to support roguery and error all over the earth.?
?Christianity...[has become] the most perverted system that ever shone on man....Rogueries, absurdities and untruths were perpetrated upon the teachings of Jesus by a large band of dupes and importers led by Paul, the first great corrupter of the teaching of Jesus.?
And here's one from James Madison:
?Religion and government will both exist in greater purity, the less they are mixed together.?
And Ben Franklin was a Deist, too:
From Franklin?s autobiography, p. 66:
?...Some books against Deism fell into my hands....It happened that they wrought an effect on me quite contrary to what was intended by them; for the arguments of the Deists, which were quote to be refuted, appeared to me much stronger than the refutations, in short, I soon became a thorough Deist.?
Not to mention Thomas Paine:
From The Age of Reason:
?All natural institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian, or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit.?
Also from The Age of Reason:
?What is it the Bible teaches us? ? rapine, cruelty, and murder.?
Paine on being a Deist:
?It is the duty of every true Deist to vindicate the moral justice of God against the evils of the Bible.?
And here's one from Ethan allen:
From Religion of the American Enlightenment:
?Denominated a Deist, the reality of which I have never disputed, being conscious that I am no Christian.
So you see, maybe the Pilgrims who landed were all Christian, but the writers of the Constitution were NOT, and this country was NOT founded on God or the Bible, or Chrisitianity. It was founded on liberty and justice for ALL...pagans, jews, satanists, buddhists, etc. The separation of Church and State was intended to protect us FROM religion. And rightfully so.
The word "god" was added to the Pledge in the McCarthy era, when everyone was afraid of Communist Russia and on a huge kick to destroy our religious freedom in order to feel "safe". Gee, sound familliar? Kinda like now!
"In God We Trust" was added to money around that time, too.
So, not only was the pledge CHANGED...that is enough to make me ill, they changed an original piece of art to support their moronic fear of diversity...there was really no basis to change it. And by the way, that little triangle and eye on the dollar is a symbol associated with Deism, and it was there before the "in god we trust". And yes, I think they should both be removed. What's next, shall we go through Poe's works and throw in a few hail marys? Or add a few lines about prayer and the evils of adultery to Romeo and Juliet?
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I personally disagree with this and contend that christianity was assumed. But if I am wrong I will admit it.
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RIP Acidic_Sloth
Sunset_Mission said:
"larry the scary rex
verily scary when thoroughly vexed
invoke the shadows and dust, cast a hex
mercifully massacring memories masterfully
relocate from Ur to 8th density and become a cosmic bully
mulder and scully couldn't decipher his glyphs
invoke the shadows and dust, smoke infernal spliffs"
April 24th 2011
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