We Are Not a Christian Nation

Heather Cox Richardson, writing last night:

"Speaking today at Turning Point USA’s annual 'AmericaFest' conference, Vice President J.D. Vance said, to great applause: 'The only thing that has truly served as an anchor of the United States of America is that we have been, and by the grace of God we always will be, a Christian nation.'"

I have been to what purported to be a nondenominational wedding. Jesus was nevertheless invoked. "Nondenominational" apparently means "generically Christian; not of any one Christian religion" in such instances. So we are seen as a Christian nation in the sense that no one faith is primary - you can be Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, and so forth, and still be an equally "good" citizen. But it's understood that you're CHRISTIAN.

That's not what the Bill of Rights promises us. The nation doesn't establish a religion to be THE official religion, but it also doesn't interfere with people's practice of any religion they choose. All are equally protected, and this is done by the government staying clear of issues that are the purview of religion. Whether a person belongs to a specific religious group and what that person believes in the realm of religious practice are considered to be private matters, not subject to any legislation.

It should never be assumed that the underlying framework of the United States of America is belief in the Christian God and the ethical system that goes along with that. That infringes on the Constitutionally-protected rights of those who firmly believe otherwise, including those who believe in no god at all. Please, let us encourage good values and strong communities, but let us stay far away from proclaiming ourselves to be a Christian nation.