Is the united states a christian country?

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nc87
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Is the united states a christian country?

Post by nc87 »

Yes or no?
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Hokie5150
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Re: Is the united states a christian country?

Post by Hokie5150 »

nc87 wrote:Yes or no?
A nation cannot be "Christian". Being a Christian means having a personal relationship with Christ as your personal savior. A nation has cannot have such a relationship.
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Re: Is the united states a christian country?

Post by Once »

I'd say no.
Interesting sort of history of religion's involvement in the evolution of the US attached. Note that I have no knowledge of the source, website, or it's relative position on anyone's left/right continuum.
https://www.au.org/resources/publicatio ... ian-nation
nc87 wrote:Yes or no?
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Re: Is the united states a christian country?

Post by Bay_area_Hokie »

nc87 wrote:Yes or no?
No


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Re: Is the united states a christian country?

Post by Major Kong »

No.
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Re: Is the united states a christian country?

Post by BigDave »

nc87 wrote:Yes or no?
That's not a question that has a binary answer. There are different things you can mean by it.

Do you mean, "is there a substantial presence of Christianity in our traditions?" Yes. "Are a majority of Americans Christians?" No. "Is being a Christian a prerequisite to be an American?" No.
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Re: Is the united states a christian country?

Post by Once »

This surprises me.
BigDave wrote:
nc87 wrote:Yes or no?
"Are a majority of Americans Christians?" No.
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Re: Is the united states a christian country?

Post by HokieFanDC »

Once wrote:This surprises me.
BigDave wrote:
nc87 wrote:Yes or no?
"Are a majority of Americans Christians?" No.
It should surprise you, but it's not correct.
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Re: Is the united states a christian country?

Post by Once »

Your "but" leads me to believe I'm missing something. Explain please.
HokieFanDC wrote:
Once wrote:This surprises me.
BigDave wrote:
nc87 wrote:Yes or no?
"Are a majority of Americans Christians?" No.
It should surprise you, but it's not correct.
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Re: Is the united states a christian country?

Post by HokieFanDC »

Once wrote:Your "but" leads me to believe I'm missing something. Explain please.
HokieFanDC wrote:
Once wrote:This surprises me.
BigDave wrote:
nc87 wrote:Yes or no?
"Are a majority of Americans Christians?" No.
It should surprise you, but it's not correct.
Somewhere close to 80% of Americans identify as Christians. Christianity is by far the largest religion in America, and the majority of Americans as a whole, are Christians.
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Re: Is the united states a christian country?

Post by BigDave »

HokieFanDC wrote:Somewhere close to 80% of Americans identify as Christians. Christianity is by far the largest religion in America, and the majority of Americans as a whole, are Christians.
If you ask people what religion are you, you get 74% identifying as some sort of Christianity (loosely defined), as of 2012. In 2012, Gallup said 41% Protestant, 10% Christian (non-specific), 23% Catholic, the rest either none or a non-Christian religion.

But plenty of people you will meet identify themselves as the religion of their ancestors, even if they have never engaged in any sort of religious experience, activity, etc. Those polls are meaningless because they don't drill down - they are establishing a cultural characteristic, not what someone's actual belief is.

Polls that ask a question to the effect of "have you trusted Jesus as Savior, a commitment that remains important to you today" get affirmative responses in the 30s.
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Re: Is the united states a christian country?

Post by HokieFanDC »

BigDave wrote:
HokieFanDC wrote:Somewhere close to 80% of Americans identify as Christians. Christianity is by far the largest religion in America, and the majority of Americans as a whole, are Christians.
If you ask people what religion are you, you get 74% identifying as some sort of Christianity (loosely defined), as of 2012. In 2012, Gallup said 41% Protestant, 10% Christian (non-specific), 23% Catholic, the rest either none or a non-Christian religion.

But plenty of people you will meet identify themselves as the religion of their ancestors, even if they have never engaged in any sort of religious experience, activity, etc. Those polls are meaningless because they don't drill down - they are establishing a cultural characteristic, not what someone's actual belief is.

Polls that ask a question to the effect of "have you trusted Jesus as Savior, a commitment that remains important to you today" get affirmative responses in the 30s.
If you ask that question, then most Catholics will say no, because that's not what brings them salvation. So the affirmative response in the 30s, correlates to the 41% protestant, and not all protestants would answer affirmative to that either.
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Re: Is the united states a christian country?

Post by BigDave »

HokieFanDC wrote: If you ask that question, then most Catholics will say no, because that's not what brings them salvation. So the affirmative response in the 30s, correlates to the 41% protestant, and not all protestants would answer affirmative to that either.
And?

If Jesus is not your Savior, then you are not a Christian.

How would you categorize someone who says "I'm a Catholic" because their family is Catholic but is agnostic about whether or not God even exists? In these polls, they are categorized as "Catholic". I'm contending that by any reasonable definition, such a person is not a Christian.
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HokieHighlander
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Re: Is the united states a christian country?

Post by HokieHighlander »

I don't believe our Founders were "Christians" either...but I don't want this topic to turn to Freemasonry, so carry on
Last edited by HokieHighlander on Fri Dec 06, 2013 2:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Is the united states a christian country?

Post by VoiceOfReason »

BigDave wrote:
HokieFanDC wrote: If you ask that question, then most Catholics will say no, because that's not what brings them salvation. So the affirmative response in the 30s, correlates to the 41% protestant, and not all protestants would answer affirmative to that either.
And?

If Jesus is not your Savior, then you are not a Christian.

How would you categorize someone who says "I'm a Catholic" because their family is Catholic but is agnostic about whether or not God even exists? In these polls, they are categorized as "Catholic". I'm contending that by any reasonable definition, such a person is not a Christian.
Interesting take BigDave, but I disagree. You have stated a definition of being Christian that is quite restrictive and I am assuming based on your own personal beliefs and/or the teachings of your religion's brand of Christianity. But I don't believe that to be the only definition of being Christian.

Do you believe in God?
Do you believe Jesus Christ is the son of God, who sacrificed his life for us?

Belief in these two things is sufficient for many people to self identify as Christian, without using the language you use. And I would surely think it offensive for someone to claim such people are not Christians because they do not show their faith in the same terms you describe.
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Re: Is the united states a christian country?

Post by HokieFanDC »

BigDave wrote:
HokieFanDC wrote: If you ask that question, then most Catholics will say no, because that's not what brings them salvation. So the affirmative response in the 30s, correlates to the 41% protestant, and not all protestants would answer affirmative to that either.
And?

If Jesus is not your Savior, then you are not a Christian.

How would you categorize someone who says "I'm a Catholic" because their family is Catholic but is agnostic about whether or not God even exists? In these polls, they are categorized as "Catholic". I'm contending that by any reasonable definition, such a person is not a Christian.
You are defining Christian as your own personal view. That's fine, but there are others who have different beliefs about what it means to be a Christian.
As for Catholics, I don't know how they are defining Catholics, but I don't know many (I can't think of a single one actually) who say they are Catholic, but don't believe a God exists. Catholics aren't Catholics by birth, like Jews.
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Re: Is the united states a christian country?

Post by Jack Galt »

nc87 wrote:Yes or no?
No.
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Re: Is the united states a christian country?

Post by cardboard »

I'd say Dave is taking his definition from the Bible. If a person does not believe the Bible to be the definitive word of God, or if a person believes that the Bible is just one of the many pieces of the information you need to know for "religion", then I can see why Dave's definition is offensive.

In regards to the "you just have to believe" statements:
James 1:22
You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

********************
Interesting take BigDave, but I disagree. You have stated a definition of being Christian that is quite restrictive and I am assuming based on your own personal beliefs and/or the teachings of your religion's brand of Christianity. But I don't believe that to be the only definition of being Christian.

Do you believe in God?
Do you believe Jesus Christ is the son of God, who sacrificed his life for us?

Belief in these two things is sufficient for many people to self identify as Christian, without using the language you use. And I would surely think it offensive for someone to claim such people are not Christians because they do not show their faith in the same terms you describe.[/quote]
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Re: Is the united states a christian country?

Post by Major Kong »

HokieHighlander wrote:I don't believe our Founders were "Christians" either...but I don't want this topic to turn to Freemasonry, so carry on
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Re: Is the united states a christian country?

Post by VoiceOfReason »

nc87 wrote:Yes or no?
No. This is not a Christian nation. This is a nation where people of all beliefs, or no beliefs, are free to practice their religion (or not). Having said that, the majority of citizens are clearly Christian, of one variety or another.

The American calendar recognizes no specific religious holidays... except one... Christmas. This simple fact makes the whole War On Christmas narrative ridiculous. That argument is simply a fight over the amount of overkill in recognizing the holiest day of one particular religion will be supported by the government. Is there some pulling back on that overkill recently? Seems like it. Is Christmas in any threat to be as minimized as the holiest day of any other religions calendar? You would really have to have your head so far up Santa's ass as to see his tonsils to answer yes.

Merry Christmas everyone! :mrgreen:
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Re: Is the united states a christian country?

Post by VisorBoy »

VoiceOfReason wrote:
nc87 wrote:Yes or no?
No. This is not a Christian nation. This is a nation where people of all beliefs, or no beliefs, are free to practice their religion (or not). Having said that, the majority of citizens are clearly Christian, of one variety or another.

The American calendar recognizes no specific religious holidays... except one... Christmas. This simple fact makes the whole War On Christmas narrative ridiculous. That argument is simply a fight over the amount of overkill in recognizing the holiest day of one particular religion will be supported by the government. Is there some pulling back on that overkill recently? Seems like it. Is Christmas in any threat to be as minimized as the holiest day of any other religions calendar? You would really have to have your head so far up Santa's ass as to see his tonsils to answer yes.

Merry Christmas everyone! :mrgreen:
Just a point of order. Christmas is not the holiest day of the Christian calendar - that would be Easter :) But as a practicing Christian, I agree that the War on Christmas is simply a right-wing rallying cry.
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Re: Is the united states a christian country?

Post by VoiceOfReason »

VisorBoy wrote:
VoiceOfReason wrote:
nc87 wrote:Yes or no?
No. This is not a Christian nation. This is a nation where people of all beliefs, or no beliefs, are free to practice their religion (or not). Having said that, the majority of citizens are clearly Christian, of one variety or another.

The American calendar recognizes no specific religious holidays... except one... Christmas. This simple fact makes the whole War On Christmas narrative ridiculous. That argument is simply a fight over the amount of overkill in recognizing the holiest day of one particular religion will be supported by the government. Is there some pulling back on that overkill recently? Seems like it. Is Christmas in any threat to be as minimized as the holiest day of any other religions calendar? You would really have to have your head so far up Santa's ass as to see his tonsils to answer yes.

Merry Christmas everyone! :mrgreen:
Just a point of order. Christmas is not the holiest day of the Christian calendar - that would be Easter :) But as a practicing Christian, I agree that the War on Christmas is simply a right-wing rallying cry.
Ah yes, I stand corrected. Forgot about Easter. Must be the lack of commercialism. Most people think of Spring Break... I guess the War on Easter is already lost! :mrgreen:
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Re: Is the united states a christian country?

Post by cwtcr hokie »

better question is why do you worry so much about people that are religious, considering the degradation of our society that is occurring not sure why having better morals and such would be so negative to you. As you know I am not religious, I went to church to get married and I go when other people die but otherwise my Sundays are already full of activities. But I do not worry about people that do spend time in church, good for them if it is what they want in their life. You might try that sometime.
nc87 wrote:Yes or no?
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Re: Is the united states a christian country?

Post by VisorBoy »

VoiceOfReason wrote:
VisorBoy wrote:
VoiceOfReason wrote:
nc87 wrote:Yes or no?
No. This is not a Christian nation. This is a nation where people of all beliefs, or no beliefs, are free to practice their religion (or not). Having said that, the majority of citizens are clearly Christian, of one variety or another.

The American calendar recognizes no specific religious holidays... except one... Christmas. This simple fact makes the whole War On Christmas narrative ridiculous. That argument is simply a fight over the amount of overkill in recognizing the holiest day of one particular religion will be supported by the government. Is there some pulling back on that overkill recently? Seems like it. Is Christmas in any threat to be as minimized as the holiest day of any other religions calendar? You would really have to have your head so far up Santa's ass as to see his tonsils to answer yes.

Merry Christmas everyone! :mrgreen:
Just a point of order. Christmas is not the holiest day of the Christian calendar - that would be Easter :) But as a practicing Christian, I agree that the War on Christmas is simply a right-wing rallying cry.
Ah yes, I stand corrected. Forgot about Easter. Must be the lack of commercialism. Most people think of Spring Break... I guess the War on Easter is already lost! :mrgreen:
Lol
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Re: Is the united states a christian country?

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