Steven Waldman

Are We a Christian Nation?

Friday May 16, 2008

My "diavlog" with former White House official Pete Wehner, over at the excellent website, Bloggingheads, including some chat about Obama's potential appeal to evangelicals and McCain's troubles with them:

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Comments
DRJ
May 19, 2008 3:34 PM

There has never been a completely Christian nation (unless you include heaven as a nation). A truly Christian nation would not have so easily have slipped into the sinful funk that characterizes modern America. When one considers the legal availability of the Scriptures during the entire history of this nation and then evaluates the mire of degradation into which we have eagerly slipped, one must agree that America is the absolutely WORST example of "Christian" natiion. Every type of sin listed in the New Testament is committed easily ten times more in America than anywhere else on the planet. Get ready, America. Judgment is on its way!

JP
May 20, 2008 8:44 AM

While I respect your attempt an answering the question, I suggest that the question's motive should be considered suspect.

This question has become a bit of a rallying cry for fundamentalist Christians on the political right. It is not s question that has ever been asked by the secular community or even politically moderate Christians. It is the leading question for a propaganda campaign. The question is only asked so that it can be answered in the affirmative by fundamentalists who are interested in seeing the lines between church and state blurred.

To that end, the question is disingenuous. I have seen this posted on message boards and the end result is not a debate on the question itself. It's a way for the Christian fundamentalist community (particularly those at wallbuilders.com) to choose a public battleground with which to illustrate their slant on history and their initiative to change public policy in education and national government.

eastcoastlady
May 21, 2008 8:07 AM


JP, well said.

Anonymous
May 22, 2009 2:25 AM

If we are not a Christian nation just because everyone in the nation is not christian, than neither are we american, because not everyone in this nation, or that has a part in our nation, is a citizen, therefore using the same argument about us not being christian, neither can we say that we are american, therefore we have no identity, that is what people want, something to identify themselves with.

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