Is America Still A Christian Nation?
By Kathryn Page Camp
Is America a Christian nation? It was certainly founded by people who believed in God. Thomas Jefferson believed that God gave us life gave us liberty (Notes on the State of Virginia, 1781), and James Madison recognized “the guardianship and guidance of that Almighty Being whose power regulates the destiny of nations” (First Inaugural Address, 1809).
Even the United States Supreme Court has answered the question in the affirmative. In 1892, Justice David J. Brewer stated that “this is a Christian nation” (Church of the Holy Trinity v. United States). Sixty years later, Justice William O. Douglas repeated that theme: “We are a religious people whose institutions presuppose a Supreme Being” (Zorach v. Clauson, 1952). Christians and atheists alike can argue whether the Supreme Court’s rulings support those statements, but it has never retracted them.
Does our religious heritage continue today? President George W. Bush appears to believe so. He recently declared, “From its earliest days, the United States has been a Nation of faith” (Presidential Proclamation, July 27, 2006).
Even our money proclaims, “In God We Trust.”
But is that enough? “Do as I say, not as I do” doesn’t work when we are trying to instill values in our children, and it doesn’t work when we are tying to convince others – either individually or as a country – to serve our God, either. Jesus didn’t just tell us how much He cared. He showed us by giving Himself up to a painful death on the cross.
In a democracy, government acts through the will of the people. So we are the government, and we are America. We are the only ones who can make this a Christian nation. And the proof is not in our words; it’s in our actions. A Christian nation is one that follows Christ. Since we are America, it is not a Christian nation unless we follow Christ. That includes living as He would have us live.
Saint Paul says, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity (Colossians 3:12-14, NIV).”
As Christians, our job is to witness to others through our lives as well as our words. Unfortunately, we too often send the wrong message. The world does not see us as a Christian nation when we burn down abortion clinics, shout “faggot” at marchers in gay pride parades or picket outside graveyards while people are grieving inside. True, most American Christians don’t engage in these activities, but we all do things that dishonor Christ and keep the world from seeing us as a Christian nation.
The world doesn’t see America as a Christian nation when we sign our children up for Sunday morning sports leagues instead of sending them to church and Sunday School. The world doesn’t see us as a Christian nation when we pay more attention to having the biggest house on the block than to helping the homeless. The world doesn’t see us as a Christian nation when we look right through our neighbors because their skin is a different color than ours. The world doesn’t see us as a Christian nation when we turn our backs on those who need our help or understanding.
If we encourage our children to bow their heads and pray silently before eating lunch in the school cafeteria, that’s evidence that we are a Christian nation. If we don’t set the example for our children to follow, that’s evidence that we are not. If we pray for our nation on our own initiative, that’s evidence that we are a Christian nation. If we wait for a presidential proclamation to prompt us, that’s evidence that we are not.
If we work through the political system to legislate against immorality, that’s evidence that we are a Christian nation. If we refuse to give the political process a chance, that’s evidence that we are not.
If we vote our consciences at the polls, that’s evidence that we are a Christian nation. If we stay home because it’s too much bother, that’s evidence that we are not.
If we defend our faith when others question it, that’s evidence that we are a Christian nation. If we stay silent, that’s evidence that we are not. If we respond to those who are hurting with compassion and understanding, that’s evidence that we are a Christian nation. If we deny their pain, that’s evidence that we are not.
If we watch what we say about others, that’s evidence that we are a Christian nation. If we gossip or use profanity, that’s evidence that we are not. If we love other sinners and preach God’s forgiveness, that’s evidence that we are a Christian nation. If we fail to forgive others, that’s evidence that we are not.
If we are there for our neighbors when they need our help, that’s evidence that we are a Christian nation. If we ignore their needs, that’s evidence that we are not. If we respect those who don’t agree with us, that’s evidence that we are a Christian nation. If we ridicule them, that’s evidence that we are not.
America is not a Christian nation just because we say it is. Each of us plays a part in speaking up for our beliefs and showing the world that we follow Christ. We can say with Justice Brewer that America is a Christian nation, but words do not make it so. We can blame the courts for taking God out of America, but the courts cannot overrule God. Or we can recognize that we are America, and we are the only ones who can make it a Christian nation.
God is still in control. But He chooses to work through us, and if we do not show the world what it means to be a Christian, no one will. We are America. Let’s show the world that America is a Christian nation.
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Sun Apr 06, 2008 9:23 am