As a non-theist I kinda thought this guy’s message was vey enlightening. We are NOT a Christian nation but a nation with Christians and many other religious beliefs and everyone could learn a thing or two from this him. I really loved it when he said no political party has the market on god (not an exact quote I know).
I suspect some staunch believers will poke some holes in his message, but hey, I could be wrong.
It is always important to start a conversation by ensuring both sides attach the same meaning to the same terms, and “Christian nation” can certainly be a loaded term. Dr. Moore’s explanation is articulate.
Technically he conflates two definitions, however: (2) that America was covenanted to God, and (3) that the Founders had Christian intent. (With (1) being “a nation of Christians.”)
We are a nation of people who would largely describe themselves as “Christian.” As a whole, the Founding Fathers certainly did not have a “Christian nation” in mind (theologically speaking) when they created our foundational documents**. Those are the two definitions most people either confuse or fight over.
As to whether America as a Nation was covenanted to God, outside of Divine revelation it’s hard to put a definitive answer on that one. But that’s a debate that largely happens internally within Christian circles, not sociopolitical ones.
**To clarify one point, some of the Founding Fathers did envision a “Christian” nation. They objected, for example, to the “no religious test” clause of the Constitution on the grounds it might open Federal office to “Papists, Mahometans, and pagans…” They were ultimately overruled because the Convention believed religious liberty to be beyond the purview of the Federal government.
As a non-theist I kinda thought this guy’s message was vey enlightening. We are NOT a Christian nation but a nation with Christians and many other religious beliefs and everyone could learn a thing or two from this him. I really loved it when he said no political party has the market on god (not an exact quote I know).
I suspect some staunch believers will poke some holes in his message, but hey, I could be wrong.
Great post JD!
It is always important to start a conversation by ensuring both sides attach the same meaning to the same terms, and “Christian nation” can certainly be a loaded term. Dr. Moore’s explanation is articulate.
Technically he conflates two definitions, however: (2) that America was covenanted to God, and (3) that the Founders had Christian intent. (With (1) being “a nation of Christians.”)
We are a nation of people who would largely describe themselves as “Christian.” As a whole, the Founding Fathers certainly did not have a “Christian nation” in mind (theologically speaking) when they created our foundational documents**. Those are the two definitions most people either confuse or fight over.
As to whether America as a Nation was covenanted to God, outside of Divine revelation it’s hard to put a definitive answer on that one. But that’s a debate that largely happens internally within Christian circles, not sociopolitical ones.
**To clarify one point, some of the Founding Fathers did envision a “Christian” nation. They objected, for example, to the “no religious test” clause of the Constitution on the grounds it might open Federal office to “Papists, Mahometans, and pagans…” They were ultimately overruled because the Convention believed religious liberty to be beyond the purview of the Federal government.