Does Christian = American?

Recently Sarah Palin spoke at an Evangelical Women’s Conference and made the following comments:

“God shouldn’t be separated from the state.”

“Hearing any leader declare that America isn’t a Christian nation and poking at allies like Israel in the eye — it is mind-boggling to see some of our nation’s actions recently, but politics truly is a topic for another day.”

“This nation needs you,” Palin told the women. “Know the facts. Stand for what’s right. Don’t be discouraged by the mocking of those who want to claim we just cling to our religion. I’m the first to admit — yeah, I do cling to my faith. That’s all I’ve got.”

Courier-Journal

Now, one may be tempted to claim that she was merely speaking to her audience….but as she makes these same assertions at her frequent political rallies and media appearances, it would be off the mark to dismiss it as such. So her remarks [and similar remarks by other right wing pols and pundits] beg some simple questions:

Are we a “Christian nation” and what does that even mean? And why is making that claim so important to so many people?

I am a firm, unyielding proponent of religious freedom, and I give due to our founders and national leaders who have contributed to this nation, while believing in God. But if I am not a Christian, am I not an American? If I were Jewish, or Hindu or Rastafarian, or an Atheist…….would I not be an American, or would I be a second class citizen? Are we so vain as to believe that a God ‘blesses’ our nation and that good fortune comes not through our actions but because of an invisible guy in the sky?

I don’t have an issue if an elected official proclaims a belief in an unprovable omnipotent deity, but I have a metric ton if issue when that elected official attempts to direct policy not through law, but through religion. The modern interpretation of the bible makes it clear that it does not encompass equal rights and civil liberties for all law abiding citizens of a nation, so why do we bestow such credibility upon politicians who place an inordinate amount of stock in a belief system that does not aim to protect all of their constituents? And why are good, intelligent and caring citizens realistically denied a chance at holding office based on the fact that they are not [at least publicly] a member of the faithful flock?

I understand that people draw inspiration and perseverance from their faith, but does it objectively make sense to admit following the alleged guidance from the unseen hand of an invisible deity? Hold any issue to that same standard, and see where it gets you…..just replace the word God with another unprovable being.

We readily rail against theocratic regimes such as Iran, Saudi Arabia and the Taliban….but with exception to the chosen means for an end, there doesn’t seem to be difference between Sarah Palin and her ilk, and your average Mullah.

8 Responses to “Does Christian = American?”

  1. Constitutional Insurgent,
    You sure took a wild leap there with your comments about Mrs. Palin and her “ilk”. The last I knew Mrs. Palin was a private citizen and I really didn’t see anything that would lead me to believe she was going to impose her religious beliefs on anybody.
    Having read your other posts, I can honestly say that it is apparent that you fail to think through your opinions. All you do is spout off. I’m glad I never had you as an NCO. Your ignorant ramblings should be ignored.

  2. Interesting rant….so you think that the belief in an omnipotent being not being separated from the lawful governance of all a nation’s citizens isn’t attempting to impose religious beliefs on anybody? Do I have that leap of logic correct?

    You apparently didn’t have the wherewithal to even answer the questions posed in my post……is America a Christian nation? And why?

    Well, you are free to think as you will…just remember that only free thinkers can objectively assess a cultural phenomenon and articulate a rational response.

  3. Your reply to my post simply validates my point. Your free thinker comment smacks of liberal elistism. You really haven’t given things much thought so I guess it is fortunate that you are no longer on active duty.

  4. Odd considering I’m a conservative Libertarian. Are you implying that the opposite of liberal elitism is ignorant populism?

    The mere fact that objectivity seems to frighten you into misguided pejoratives underscores the point that you haven’t the courage to actually address my post in the first place, but rather attack me on grounds known only to you……

  5. OK. First, please provide evidence that Mrs. Palin, while an elected official, sponsered or approved any legislation that mentioned any religion. If you cannot do that than you certainly jumped to a conclusion that is not based on fact.
    Second, I’m an American and don’t have to answer every silly point you were trying to make. If you don’t like that, tough.
    Third, you assume I am frightened by your alleged “free thinking”. You have just made another assumption not based on fact.
    Fourth, I don’t believe I attacked you even once but you choose to question my courage. I stated that your ignorant ramblings should be ignored. Just to let you know, ignorant means uninformed; it is not a derogatory term unless you choose to take it that way.
    Fifth, your logic is certainly flawed. In fact, it is the absolute opposite of logic. You assume things without any evidence or rational basis and then project them onto others.
    Sixth, Mrs. Palin is a United States citizen so she is certainly entitled to her opinion and your apparent desire is to deny her an opportunity to succeed by radicalizing any statement she makes about her faith.
    Seventh, you described my post as a “rant”. A rant is something stated in an exagerated or violent manner. It can also mean someone that strongly, and vocally, disparages religion. I don’t think I qualify, but you do.
    Eighth. If you are a conservative libertarian, why are you hurling invectives and ad hominum attacks my way? You certainly don’t sound like a conservative or a libertrarian.

  6. I posited a simple question and asked you again to respond to it and not projections of what you appear to be offended by.

    If you don’t like that, tough.

  7. The United States is not a Christian nation. There are a whole lot of citizens that affliate themselves with Christianity but do not practice the tenets. That is my opinion, but everyone has one of those.
    The Bible supports the position that officials should deal honestly and fairly with all people; not just the people that believe as they do. Christ stated, “Render unto Ceasar what is Ceasar’s and to God what is God’s.”
    To me, this existance isn’t really important because it isn’t permanent. I’ll do my best to make this a better place but I don’t get angry about what happens in it. I used to be angry; now I’m not. I like it a lot better.

  8. Now see….that wasn’t hard. Instead of attacking me by implying that my retirement was a benefit to the Army; or that I engaged in ‘liberal elitism’….you could have simply stated that up front. I had neither attacked religion nor Palin, but merely used her most recent words as a vehicle for my thesis……that we somehow find ourselves in a political climate where it is perfectly rational to advocate a merging of governance and faith; when faith is an unprovable notion and either discriminates, offends or oppresses any number of good and decent Americans.

    Objectivity = equality. Subjectivity = inequality.

    When Sarah Palin states [as a sitting Governor of Alaska] about her son’s deployment to Iraq: “they should pray that our national leaders are sending them out on a task that is from God, that’s what we have to make sure we are praying for, that there is a plan, and that plan is God’s plan.”….that bothers me. It makes no more sense to claim divine guidance to invade other nations than it does to purport that such guidance came from the Easter Bunny.

    Let us not forget that there are also a sizable number of citizens who do not identify with Christianity, yet do practice the basic tenets.

    I disagree with you when you purport the Bible’s position on politicians, especially when Christian groups almost uniformly advocate discrimination based upon their religious beliefs.

    There can be, and certainly is overlap between religious tenets and lawful governance….but religion should be a deep and personal relationship, not to be forced upon others, especially from or within Government. Separating religion and governance does absolutely nothing to degrade or diminish a persons faith, nor the ability to practice said faith.

    Now, if you continue to see a leap in my logic, I welcome a rebuttal….as long as it is with the premise and not the author.

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