Is the USA really a nation under God?

[Cup-of-Ruin]

but:

“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil."

Greetings,

Are you suggesting that God is contradicting Himself?

The word is holo in Matt. 5:34-37, in means considering context, 'commonly', you can actually say "not at all" and it still makes sense but then just remember that in the original Greek that holos has a 'common' connotation, so it is "But I say unto you do not treat the taking of an oath at all commonly, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by earth, for it is His footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King, and do not even take an oath by your own head in this manner, for you cannot change the the colour of your own hair, simply let your 'yes' be 'yes' and your 'no' be 'no' (meaning don't contradict yourself or alter statement of fact). Anything beyond this comes from the evil one."

The taking of oaths is serious business, you are calling upon Diety, Jesus is saying that you know this from the OT but Jesus takes it further- by saying do not make a flippant or common or false oath, do not treat oaths with contempt by making them thoughtless, If you are going to swear let it be so, your yes be yes your no be no!

It is hard to understand if you don't understand Biblical language.

There is nothing wrong with taking oaths, just don't do it commonly, Jesus dosen't destroy the law, He fullfills it. He gives it the true meaning.

 

[Cup-of-Ruin]

No Cup, see
http://www.deism.com/deistamerica.htm

The use of the word God is in the Deist, not Christian, understanding.

Note the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between the United States and the Bey and Subjects of Tripoli of Barbary

'Snail, please don't recommend, anti-christian websites to me.

I don't do that to you.

 

[luke15chick]

reason americans swear on the bible, is back in the old days the bible was the only thing seen as true and trustworthy therefore the only reliable source to lean back against. the thought of well, they wouldn't lie to God therefore the bible will make them tell the truth.

 

[SamIam]

anyone can look at america and see were goin down the tubes..... ... and no...... i were not a christian nation, it may have started off as one.. but now....................... i would rather have big bird run the country....... he might do a better job

 

[Sharp]

seriously Sean Hannity should be president, i think he's more popular than obama. maybe hannity and big bird have a chance in 2012 if they run together.

 

[SamIam]

I was thinkin about runnin for president and asking elmo to be my second....

 

[above]

I am not so versed in American politics, but isn't Sean Hannity this ultra-right wing conservative show host? I doubt very hard that he is more popular.

 

[carpetmanswife]

anyone can look at america and see were goin down the tubes..... ... and no...... i were not a christian nation, it may have started off as one.. but now....................... i would rather have big bird run the country....... he might do a better job

As much as it offended me personally when our president stated ' we are not a christian nation' it is true, yes we started out as one but i totally agree were already headed in the wrong direction for some time now . What is the % of americans that 'call' themselves christians? I know its a great amount but it cant be accurate with whats taking place in America. Just goes to show scripture says rightly " not everyone that says to Me Lord Lord will enter into heaven. And with our new president well..*shakes head* it aint gonna get any better folks. *lol @ big bird* ...I like him

 

[pickles]

there are also many websites like this which give a clear picture :

http://www.ffrf.org/nontracts/xian.php


Christians have been lied to and they lie to each other about American being a Christian country. It is only so as long as Christianity is in the majority, appears to be a Christian country. But as far as I can tell it was founded as a free country, by people power, not necessarily as a Christian country, unless the word "Christian" is meant loosely, as someone who acknowledges a particular religion and identifies themself with it, but has not actually taken up their own cross and followed Christ. So they have the word God thrown about by common person and president alike, and the word God written in American history, but so what?

A few examples to show why America is not a Christian country by bible standards:

Democracy - is not from the bible. That comes from Greek philosphy as far as I understand. The bible teaches kingdoms, monarchies, and with Christ, a theocracy.

Human rights - is not from the bible. This has led to whoever wants a right to have one, a right to be gay, a right to abort a baby, for example. Being a Christian doesn't give us rights, it gives us responsibilities and accountability to a Holy God.

The American concept of "freedom" - is not from the bible. This has led to a pluralistic and relativistic tolerant society which is not based on the bible . Reading the bible we can see that Christianity is not about respecting other people, their rights, and their freedoms, but about trying to convert them to Christianity. We can see that the Christian does not have freedom in the American sense - the ability to live as they please and do as they please, but the Christian is a slave to righteousness.

While the above three points can be supported by certain scriptures to support each point of view, their origins are not from sola scripture.

That is probably why today, America does not have a Christian president. And why most Christians in America it would seem are not happy with the government. If America was a Christian country, then I guess most Christians would be happy.

I would suggest that America should not want to become a Christian country, in case it becomes the kind of religious, controlled country like the nations it declared independence from (Britain etc). State-operated and state-run religions by those controlled by the Catholic chuch, the Church of England etc, were never fun places to live in. The escape from religious persecution is precisely what many went to America for and why I believe the American identity is not with any particular religion not even Christianity , but as a place for every person to practice their religion without fear of persecution.

Sorry MahogonySnail, I dont know how to highlite the small part I want to comment on yet. The part about being lied to. You dont seem to get the point . It is not important what has been said or claimed. I do not know the hearts of those that made them, only Jesus does. The point is that many, many people here do love and follow our Lord Jesus. Their hearts are true. The impressions given by what is published by media and goverment are not the representaion of the mass. It may be what they hope to bring about but we all know the trueth and that is that evil has already lost. The majority of people in this contry do follow Jesus and believe and that is what defines not only this contry but all that believe through out the world. It is not important what has been said but what is in the eyes of Our Lord Jesus. With so much happening now what is important is what counts. God bless, pickles

 

[mcap]

I believe our founding fathers split from England because they were forced to worship according to what the king thought was right.They killed anyone who refused to do so.I am not sure if England worshipped according to the Bible or not,maybe that was another issue.
They were also being taxed without representation,what the king said was fair was fair.I would suggest people read the Mayflower Compact,and other historical documents showing why they did what they did.
While nobody is perfect,including our founders I believe they shaped our country around the word of God and how they interpreted it.Our government was shaped by it,laws were shaped by it.It is because of the explosion of our plurists,relativism and anti-religious sector that America is what it is today.It is the responsibility of Christians to return our nation to it's original intentions.

 

[mcap]

As much as it offended me personally when our president stated ' we are not a christian nation' it is true, yes we started out as one but i totally agree were already headed in the wrong direction for some time now . What is the % of americans that 'call' themselves christians? I know its a great amount but it cant be accurate with whats taking place in America. Just goes to show scripture says rightly " not everyone that says to Me Lord Lord will enter into heaven. And with our new president well..*shakes head* it aint gonna get any better folks. *lol @ big bird* ...I like him

In a recent poll taken 96% stated they believe in God but they do not trust Him to do what He says He will do.

 

[loveschild]

It was one nation under God and was always blessed. Now it's nuts and the wrath of God is coming. Keep praying. God bless, Love

 

[Knightjester]

Yes,..
The Nation under God!
The Promise Land!
The Land of the Free!

But,..
Nowadays,
Most part of her is under the claws of the Master of Hell!
So I strongly recommend you to stay inside the Kingdom of God.
And,. umm,. that would be all.

*Does Satan have claws?*

 

[MahogonySnail]

I think Australia is more Christian than the USA and always has been since its foundation. Without the unnecessary rhetoric "one nation under God" and all this flag waving patriotism (no, our churches do not have flags in them, except for Christian ones). And if anyone questions the Christianity of Australia I can provide proof.

 

[pickles]

You know the sad part is I and many I know have never looked at borders or contries when considering our brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. Except when looking to help those who do have the freedom to believe. Nor as an American have I considered my contry to be more christian that another. All that I ever have looked to is the belief that all that believe are one with God and all brotheres and sisers in Jesus Christ. How sad that in a world that seeks to destoy all that Our Lord God has blessed us with that we would devide ourselves. To all my brothers and sisters in christ, I give my honor, heart and prayers. God bless, pickles

 

[SwordOfFire]

I've been contemplating this question for some time now and just thought I would ask for your input:

The question:

Since the founding fathers claimed to establish this nation for religious freedom purposes and exemption from taxation among other things. Was the American revolution biblical and did it glorify God? Here are some scriptures to think through:

Romans 13:1-2 reads

1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

Next: Mark 12:17
17And Jesus answered and said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

What a very good, and probing question. Could it be that the act of rebellion and resistance to authority is responsible for the haughty American mindset today? What we see in the rebellion in our children, church members' inability to be subject to the authority of the church, and every other kind of self rule that Americans think that they are entitled to, could very well be the result of the seeds of rebellion on which this nation was founded. I had never, before now, considered the possibility.

 

[pickles]

What a very good, and probing question. Could it be that the act of rebellion and resistance to authority is responsible for the haughty American mindset today? What we see in the rebellion in our children, church members' inability to be subject to the authority of the church, and every other kind of self rule that Americans think that they are entitled to, could very well be the result of the seeds of rebellion on which this nation was founded. I had never, before now, considered the possibility.

I cannot speak for all, but those I know and from what my grandparents have said it was not about rebellion but the opportunity to build a future and freedom of faith. My grandparents came here with the blessing of the King and queen of Norway. In fact we still have the bible that was given to them as a wedding gift. They were personal servants to them. When they came here it was not about rebellion but backbreaking work. My great grandfather died because there was no drs here. My Grandmother worked to support not only her own family but raised the orphans of many other families. We consider them family to this day. Most came to this contry out of desparation, hope or were forced. The only rebellion was when others tried to take from them what they had worked so hard for and that was in the very early years. If I were to say what I believe is the downfall, of some of our children not only here but throughout the world. I would say the tone of our education system and those that have simply rejected Jesus. Also what has been prophacied. What concerns me is the constant focus on the failier. Our focus as christions should be on the build up, spredding Gods word and the hope that is for us. What I see of the world is a constant barrage of fear and failier to discourage and breakdown. As a christian I know that Our Lord Jesus gave us a message of hope and grace in this is his work. Wow I got rather preachy here, smiles. I guess I just dont understand why we keep putting borders on faith or comparing when the goal is as brothers and sisters in Jesus to live and teach that which he has given us through grace. God bless, pickles

 

[Laiahna]

I've been contemplating this question for some time now and just thought I would ask for your input:

The question:

Since the founding fathers claimed to establish this nation for religious freedom purposes and exemption from taxation among other things. Was the American revolution biblical and did it glorify God? Here are some scriptures to think through:

Romans 13:1-2 reads

1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

Next: Mark 12:17
17And Jesus answered and said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

I do believe it all depends not only on what bible version you have. Also on reading Romans 12 first. From my understanding, we are being told to not make waves basicaly. That we are to let our lord be judge, and deal out anything that needs to be done. In other words, we are to be humble.

 

[pickles]

It seems the question is did the fathers of this nation truelly design its establishment under God and his truth? We cannot be certian as we do not know their hearts. But do the people of this nation make it a nation under God? I believe that many do, because of the freedom of faith all have the right to believe and many do. By that it makes this a nation under God as any nation that has believers . It is not simply because of what is claimed but by what is lived in deed and in truth. So all nations that have believers are nations under God . God bless, pickles

 

[Quantum]

I was under the impression that America, as most civilized western countries are, in essence, secular nations. In the legal sense. However as the majority of the population adheres to a christian-derived doctrine i would assume that spiritually the country is one under a judeo/christian god based on majority.