I am writing this in response to the comment on my blog, Crumbling Foundation. I appreciate all the positive responses that I received, Thank You. In one comment, I believe the point I was making was apparently misunderstood or overlooked; therefore, I feel I need to explain my point further. The whole point of my blog, Crumbling Foundation, was to state the fact that in America we have “In God We Trust” written on most of our currency, and that same phrase “In God We Trust” was made our national motto in 1956, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Furthermore, that same phrase is in the final stanza of The Star-Spangled Banner and our Pledge of Allegiance states, “One Nation under God.” The point I was stressing in my blog, Crumbling Foundation, was that it is a shame that even in American the word, God, after all our history has included Him and is still including Him today; companies like Disney, as I used in my example in Crumbling Foundation, are to paranoid or scared to offend any one. That is sad thing when one word that has always been held as something precious in America is becoming nothing more then a curse word; however, companies like Disney do not have any problem taking money that has God written on. I believe that would be considered a double standard.
I completely agree on the commit about the congress of old, stating; not to be partial or bias to any religion, and that all religions are free to worship. However, you can not deny the historical fact of the strong Christian/Protestant movement that came to America for religious freedom, which in turn had a strong influence in the foundation of America.
I completely agree on the commit about the congress of old, stating; not to be partial or bias to any religion, and that all religions are free to worship. However, you can not deny the historical fact of the strong Christian/Protestant movement that came to America for religious freedom, which in turn had a strong influence in the foundation of America.
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You may want to do a bit of background research on the founding fathers. For example, did you know that many of the founding fathers believed in a deist model of God’s relationship to mankind (as well as the universe in general)? There is a wealth of fascinating material both on the faith of the architects of our government and their impetus for demanding a separation of church and state. I look forward to your future entries.
The crumbling foundation blog was very well studied. I see the passion for your religion, as well as this country's severe deprivation of an open minded civilization. The reference made about radio Disney's refusal of the word God only adds to the element of a severe breakdown on human's rights to freedom of religion. I remember watching a few Disney shows which portrayed mythological gods such as Hercules and King Trident of The Little Mermaid. The word God, I believe, should not be printed on American currency because money has brought out more evil in people than good. I think whether you are a christian or not a lot could be learned from this topic.
In response to your second blog, 'Crumbling Foundation':
How exactly was "America's foundation (was) structured around God' and 'founded on God"? You defend this in your third blog by stating that people came here to flee religious persecution. How does that statement connect the drafters of the Dec. of Ind. and the Constitution to Christianity? You state that no one can "deny the historical fact of the strong Christian/Protestant movement that came to America for religious freedom, which in turn had a strong influence in the foundation of America", yet you don't provide any examples of this influence.
"Everyone else in this country can stand up for what they believe; Why can't we?" Christian groups are very adept at making their standpoints known. I.E., Family Research Council, Alliance Defense Fund, Focus on the Family, Parents Television Council, Citizens for Community Values, etc. To make the argument that the Christian voice isn't heard in this country is ridiculous.
You claim that the U.S. has had a Christian God in a prominent role throughout its entire history, yet your own argument is self defeating. The Star Spangled Banner wasn't written by anyone in the government. Further it wasn't recognized by our government until 1916 (by President Wilson) and by the full Congress in 1931. And very rarely is the final stanza even sung, except on the most formal of occasions. "In God We Trust" didn't appear on currency until 1864, long after the Founding Fathers. As you stated yourself it wasn't adopted as motto until 1956.
It will be interesting to see if you delete my comments as opposed to adequately defending your position.
the last bloog i really engoyed but was kinda all over the place, i mean i enjoyed your fedback and all buti wanted to now more about how God is being us in this country
Why would I delete a prize commit? WOW! Four paragraphs long that is definitely a commit record for me. I am impressed and appreciate that you took the time to make such a passionate commit. I am not being sarcastic, I like seeing there are other passionate people out there. In general, all commits are welcome: positive, neutral, or negative, just along it has constructive value.
You pointed out the exact dates of the “In God We Trust” portion in my second blog, Crumbling Foundation Revisited and you are completely accurate. The dates you gave, as you stated, are not far into American history, but my questions to you is-Where did this popular phrase come from and why did America embrace it? My whole point would be like flying to Israel and I am sure it would not take long to see that Israel is a nation with a Jewish background or Hinduism in India. Come on, man; get what ever chip is on your shoulder, off and realize over 65% of America proclaim Christian affiliation and good old fashion common sense tells me that is no coincident. Christianity had a major influence in early America and I do not need to justify my points or blogs. I would love to find more time to give a more in-depth factual debate or argument on the subject, but until I find that time, Google search-Religion in early America. You will see your facts.
I am also impressed with you knowledge of Christian organization, and maybe I was a little cloudy on what I was saying in my first blog, Crumbling Foundation. It is the “low blows” towards our faith that we are overlooking or missing and as Christian, we had better not miss the little thing because the little things can add up until one day, everything will be out of our grasps; though the “picketing funeral Christian” are not helping any (shame on them).
My apologies for assuming you would delete an opinion that dissented. I noticed several posts had been removed and saw no real questions being asked of your views.
The United States embracing the phrase can be traced to the Third Great Awakening, a religious movement centered in our country during the latter half of the 19th century (hence the adoption of the phrase on our currency during that time period). Where it came from is up to debate. Most sources point to Francis Scott Key (1814).
I am not saying that Christianity had no role in this country's history, but you are making the argument (or seem to be) that it was founded for and by Christians. The fact that the colonies were settled and inhabited by persecuted individuals of several Christian denominations does not mean that the U.S. was founded as a Christian Nation.
In fact the Founding Fathers took deliberate steps to affiliate the government with no specific religion. Where in the Constitution do you find mention of the God of Abraham (or any other)? Our government further enforced this notion (which was rather new in the world at the time) with Article 11 of The Treaty of Tripoli (1796-1797). Which reads:
"As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries."
This treaty was approved by congress (consisting of many of the Founding Fathers) and President John Adams (himself a Founding Father). Our Constitution, the basis of our government, is an entirely secular document.
Did Christians play a role in our history? Most certainly, and I believe they will continue to do so. Christians helped found this country by fleeing the very notion you seem to espouse, that being the U.S. exists as a nation based or loyal to one religion. But simply because Christians were among the settlers and founders does not mean that the U.S. is a Christian nation. To claim so seems to fly in the face of everything enumerated in the Constitution.
Wow. A lot going on in here. I'm glad that things are remianing civil and misunderstandings are being, well, understood.
I think, Anthony, that you are getting to the point where you'll almost have to consider finding texts on the Web to link to in order to help support your points.
There are a couple missing and misspelled words here, particularly near the end of your post. Still . . .
5/5
Why so defensive, pete? Who on earth rubbed you the wrong way? It is ridiculus to bring up genicide and slavery, not even the same ball park; of course, that is my opinion. Looking at your commit, I question, "If you even read my blogs through, or did you just read whatever your issue you have, within? Opinions are opinions and facts are facts, like I told tyler, Google search: religion in early america, and you will see where I am coming from. I never once made a notion that America is a Christian country. You have to look at my second blog in two section. The first section was me illustrating, by using Disney, for an example that God, which has always been an embraced Deity/word through out history in America, and now people tend to tip-toe around it, like it is a bad word, or like it is becoming taboo. The second part talks to Christians. I was proclaiming the fact that the same God/Deity belief system that inspired early America is the same belief system that us, Christians, put our faith in. Sorry, If I was not clear. Why did you bring the whole gay example, I am sure another one example would of worked, but then I think, "This is guy knows he is talking to a Christian, so he brings up the gay thing, to get me rattled." Sorry, I have more compassion for people souls than their lifestyle. So, thanks for the commit, I enjoy any and all commits and I look forward to furture commits.
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