redblueamerica.com

Let's try to make points without ascribing arrogance or narrow-mindedness, please. The United States is not a Christian nation, but rather a nation made predominantly of Christians. This is not a distinction without a difference. Israel is a Jewish state, founded on Jewish precepts. India is a Hindu state. America is different. Of course, the Founders were, for the most part, believers. And they understood the need for civic institutions to inculcate virtue. They thought religion was essential for maintaining liberty. You or I could point to dozens and dozens of examples, but George Washington is a great one. I've quoted him elsewhere, but his Farewell Address is worth quoting again here:

Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked: Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.

So why isn't the United States a Christian nation? Because the country was founded in part on religious liberty. The beauty of the American system, of course, is that we're free to practice our religious faith more or less as we see fit, without government meddling.

The trouble with saying "America is a Christian nation" is that the phrase carries baggage that the Founders likely never intended. The trouble with saying "America isn't a Christian nation" is that it's so easily misunderstood.