SHOULD America be a Christian nation?

Arguing whether it is or isn't is stupid. It isn't. Deal with it.

I think a better question might be whether America should even strive for Christian ideals or is some watered-down form of morally relative secular humanism the way to go? Whatever offends the smallest number of people is the rule of law.

In the Bible, entire nations are punished. Is that a valid fear for Americans? Have we done anything as a nation to invoke the wrath of God?

Or is it all entirely personal? Meaning the collective political decisions of a nation are totally irrelevant to God and the only thing that matters is the heart of an individual man. The days of God having influence over political leaders and armies are over?

America is a place where you are able to have religious freedom.

Taking that away is a horrible HORRIBLE idea.

Don't get me wrong.. I certainly hope and pray that all Americans can have a healthy relationship with God. However, America will not and should not be an entirely Christian nation.

Please explain why it is a horrible idea.

Yeah individual freedoms tend to be very important in this country. And as long as someones actions arent harming those around them, which technically is a very clear indicator then people should be free to do what they wish. Example: Two guys want to date, ok that affects no one but themselves. Yet people get all up in arms about. Abortion can go either way depending on someones individual beliefs. If the life begins at conception then yes abortion harms someone else. If life begins at delivery then abortion harms no one. But I see no reason to or why i would even want to make the US a christian nation and I am a christian. I just dont feel like living in a theocracy.

Well the question, I suppose, is do those immoral activities harm others if America is collectively punished by God?

Does God collectively punish anymore? If so, would things like gay marriage and legalized abortions make us good candidates for wrath?

I'm not comprehending how this could be a "stupid" topic to discuss. We (some of us) are Bible-believing Christians who dwell within America. This topic seems to be a valid, and a equally germane topic to discuss. I've seen worse topics that are readily discussed here on CC which are far from relevant regarding the immediate life of a Christian.

I dont know...God seems to show favor upon people who follow him even if he does punish whole nations Ex: Lot from Sodom and Gomorrah and Noah from the flood

Another issue though, should we impede someone else's basic rights as a human being due to some possibly false belief that God will rain down punishment on us?

And I mean He hasn't admittedly done it since the OT. Unless you are in the camp that believes natural disasters are signs of God's displeasure. Instead of just you know, natural disasters.

I'm not someone who is inclined to blame a hurricane on gay sex, but it is an interesting idea.

Why wouldn't God's wrath come in the form of "natural disasters"? Doesn't it typically do that? Floods and droughts and all that.

I often wonder whether things are the way they are more because of what we AREN'T doing rather than what we are.

“…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land” 2Chron. 7:14 (NIV).

While I realize that God was speaking to another people in this verse, I also know that He is the same yesterday, today and forever. If we would do what we've been called to do, healing would come to our land and we wouldn't have to worry about the awful things that may bring judgment.

Do I think the US should be a theocracy? If the Kingdom of God was of this world (and Jesus said it wasn't), it would be great to see it reflected here. But when I look at how our government presently operates and look at all of the backbiting and bickering that goes on among those who call themselves by the Name of Christ, I wonder how it would be different.

We presently have laws that are based on much of what our faith deems to be right and wrong, yet it doesn't seem to matter much, not even to some christians. What would the difference be if not everyone was a christian and/or those who were christians didn't follow Christ as they should?

I sort of agree with Jullianna. At least her last point. Having a place be a Christian nation would only work if everyone were Christian. Otherwise its not going to go as smoothly as you want unless you get totalitarian about it and come up with ways to remove the 'dissenting group'. I mean what would you do about non-christians? Or the fact that people cant even agree on what day to go to church9saturday or sunday) who do you expect people to agree on a particular doctrine with which to run a nation? Instead of Democrats and republibrats you would end us with baptists vs presbyterians.

Imagine if you were living in a majority mormon nation. Or a muslim nation. Would you want them imposing their religious beliefs on everyone? I don't know your answer, but I definitely wouldn't.

Does being a Christian Nation have to mean replacing government with a panel of Church elders or something? Or like a Pope of America? lol

To me, I thought the whole idea of being a Christian Nation is being a nation that at the very least strives for the basic tenets of Christianity. It doesn't necessarily mean a society that all believes the same doctrine, but rather a society that doesn't SHAME our Lord. A society that has strong values and ethics and a healthy fear of God. Leaders who consult the Bible rather than leaders who act like their words and opinions are worth more than the Word of God?

Imagine if pretty much everyone in America was actually a Christian and behaved in the way the Bible instructs us to behave. What would THAT look like? I know it's basically impossible, but this is just a discussion.

I think it would be boring and depressing. I personally enjoy the variety of cultures, opinoins, and positions that are present in america. it might not be perfect but its better than homogenity.

freedom is an illusion.

you chose to be slaves to sin or slaves to righteousness.

no matter what you chose you will have to be obedient to someone either out of love or out of fear.

who do you pledge your allegiance to?

Try a-b-o-r-t-i-o-n. Try g-a-y p-r-i-d-e. Jerusalem's worst transgressions pale in comparison and look what happened to them.

sigh...and gay sex/abortion are worse than worshipping other gods? i somehow doubt it, hence we dont pale in comparison

Yup.

I'm not sure I would say that secular humanism is necessarily watered-down. There are secular laws that prohibit things that aren't prohibited in the Bible, such as smoking in indoor public places. I mean, if people want to kill themselves, they should have the right to do it, as long as they don't hurt others in the process. So they can smoke in their own home, or in designated areas, just don't force me to breathe your cancer-stick air.

It's not about not offending people, it's about people's rights. I don't care who is offended about having to put out a cigarette. Nor do I care who is offended by looking at a gay couple holding hands. Being protected from offense is NOT one of the rights guaranteed in the constitution, so suck it up.

Oh, my, yes, and the same things that nations were punished for in the Bible. We have been ignoring the plight of the poor and needy, not taking care of the orphan and widow. If God treated us as He did Israel, we should be in worse shape than we are.

I wouldn't say that national choices are irrelevant to God. Of course God cares what we outlaw and what we protect. And God may be very unhappy that so many Americans are not Christian. But that doesn't mean we should make it illegal to practice any other religion.

God holds us responsible for what we can control. If I preach the Gospel, but someone ignores me, I have done what I can, and God will not hold that against me. However, if I ignore the plight of my neighbor, just because it means I have less to keep for myself, well, God will be pretty disappointed in me.

For example, I don't think God condemns every man, woman, and child who lived in Germany from the late 30s to the end of WWII, just because they were citizens of a nation that sinned grievously. However, I think God DOES expect us to do what we can to prevent such things, or, in the face of impossibility, to help the victims as much as possible.

Not sure if this makes any sense.

I don't think God will punish us for living in a country where abortion is legal. I DO think God expects us to do everything we can for women who are facing an unwanted pregnancy, so that they don't feel they are forced to make that decision. But the decision, and the responsibility for the actions, remain with the woman.

I don't think Julianna is saying a theocracy would not work because there are people who aren't Christian. I think she's saying it wouldn't work because we're all sinners, and Christians are no less prone to evil than non-Christians. I think she's saying, even if we were to be a theocracy, how would that change our sinfulness?

I didn't see anyone say this was a stupid topic to discuss.

What the OP said was that arguing whether or not the US is a Christian nation is stupid, because it's like arguing whether 2+2=5. It isn't. Deal with it.

However, debating whether we SHOULD be a Christian nation, and/or have laws based on Christian ideals that aren't shared by non-Christians, is a valid question, and the one which the OP is offering for debate, pro- and con.