US is a Christian nation

Overview

It is often argued that the USA is a Christian nation – that is, that one or both of the following are true of the United States:

• the country's laws (especially the Constitution) are based on Christian teachings
• the founding fathers intended to endorse Christianity, or Christian principles

The truth or falseness of this suggestion is still being evaluated, but it remains clear that the founding fathers did intend a separation of church and state.

Treaty of Tripoli

The Treaty with Tripoli states in part:

from the Treaty with Tripoli, English translation:

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. US is a Christian nation/excerpt Related Pages In the United States, the Ten Commandments have been at the center of a number of conflicts between religion and the doctrine of separation of church and state; they are often held, especially by Biblical fundamentalists, to be the basis of modern law (or of the US Constitution). Links Snopes checks the claim that "Religious symbols and references abound in U.S. capital buildings and the words of America's founders", and finds it mostly false or misleading. Is America a Christian Nation?: supposedly a dialogue between Rev. Dr. Welton Gaddy and Rev. Barry W. Lynn, although both seem to agree on pretty much everything including the necessity of separation of church and state. Significant events in the history of religion in the United States are discussed. Organizations Americans United for Separation of Church and State Quotes "The way to see by faith is to shut the eye of reason." - Poor Richard's Almanack, 1758 (written by Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers)