Ok...I'm not a religious person. Don't believe in church, it a short story, but not needed at this time.

What religious group did our Founding Fathers belong to?

The reason I ask is that, to the best of my knowledge, they were Christians. I'm trying to figure out why America needs to distance itself from Christianity for the sake of not ...... off some Jews, Muslims, Hindus, or whatever.

Like I said, I'm not religious, but I do believe there is something bigger than all of us. I think that 'In God We Trust' should mean something.

Ok...I'm not a religious person. Don't believe in church, it a short story, but not needed at this time.

What religious group did our Founding Fathers belong to?

The reason I ask is that, to the best of my knowledge, they were Christians. I'm trying to figure out why America needs to distance itself from Christianity for the sake of not ...... off some Jews, Muslims, Hindus, or whatever.

Like I said, I'm not religious, but I do believe there is something bigger than all of us. I think that 'In God We Trust' should mean something.

Try this link. There are many more.

http://www.sierratimes.com/03/08/23/article_hb.htm

Now, this may come as news to some...Abraham Lincoln, although not a "founding father" was not a Christian. He did espouse a belief in God, but not the Christ. This little tidbit courtesy of his law partner, William Herndon. There I go on Lincoln, again.

This is an endlessly fascinating topic. Many people feel that the gov't should have nothing to do with religion, as we have "seperationg of church and state" upheld as one of our highest virtues. Those same people often cite the "founding fathers" as the reason behind this. But its really far from that simple. Ask yourself these questions:

1) Why did many of the original colonies get settled here? (Specifically, New England, Virginia, etc...)

2) If you lived in New England in 1743, do you really think it'd have been possible to be a member of the local gov't if you WEREN'T a member of the church?

3) Why is Christmas a national holiday, and not say, Ramadan or Yom Kippur?

In short, we are a VERY Christian state. Statistically so. Do some reading on the concept of civil religion, you'll see what I mean. About the only thing that makes us any different from a "Church-run state" is that our gov't doesnt (not quite anyway) force religion on its citizens. You are free to worship as you please, as long as it does not interfere with the State- given rights. But make not mistake, this is a very Christian country, always has been. Now, Jefferson and Franklin (and my man Ethan Allen) were not exactly church-going Christians. Alot of deism there. Has alot to do with the idea of Christ-as-savior vs 'natural religion'. Check out www.infidels.org for some of the original writings on this stuff.
Alot of those founders were believers in a higher power, but not always in the dogmatic way we might be used to. Remember, they were the products of a Christian (European) culture.

Now, today, theres a bit of revisionism in how people view this topic. ALot of people think the govt should have NOTHING to do with religion. But if our laws are designed to enforce the will of the majority (while protecting the rights of the minority), doesnt it makes sense that some people want religion in school? Right or wrong, if their in the majority, its their call, right? Religion always has and always play a VERY significant role in the progress of our country. Whether or not your or I believe in God, as long as enough other people do, thats the direction we'll be going. Ill end with this: be very wary of people who say that politics and religion have always been seperated and should be. (ask them to prove it!)

hope this makes some sense

cheers

jonas

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