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The Americans known as the Founding Fathers, and the European philosophers from whom they stole most
of their ideas, had learned through harsh experience of the evils that arose through religious
difference. Many of America's earliest emigrants were religious fanatics of various sects who had
been reviled in Europe and harshly treated because of their religious beliefs. The 17th century in
Europe had been dominated by religious warfare.
All of this was in the minds of the framers of America's constitution. They did not want to see the
new country they were creating wracked by religious strife. They were inspired by Enlightenment
ideas which contained strong elements of religious skepticism. It is clear that they wanted the
American government to be secular, but there to be full tolerance of different religious practices
within the country.
Some contemporary religious extremists on the right are trying to overturn this aspect of American
tradition so they can see their brand of superstition enshrined by law, but, in pursuing this
course, they betray America's ideals and the memory of the Founding Fathers. |
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There's no doubt that it was, the founding fathers stated it clearly. In fact, in the Treaty of
Tripoli, which was approved unanimously by Congress and appeared in all the major newspapers without
a single hint of dissent, it stated "The United States was in no way founded upon the Christian
religion".
You'd have to be ignorant to claim that this was ever intended to be a Christian nation. |
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While I agree that the country was in no way founded on the Christian Religion. But that is not what
the debate says. The debate statement says "The United States Was Founded As A Secular Republic" And
the problem here is with the multiple definitions of "secular"; American Heritage Dictionary has 6
distinct definitions.
Some people use the definition that implies the active rejection of anything spiritual or religious.
This definition is generally employed by those pursuing an aggressive form of atheism. The US was
not founded as an aggressively atheistic country.
Other people who say the US is secular mean that the US has no state religion.
To summarize, some think religion has no place in American public life, others think that America
was founded to be a place where religions would freely compete for souls without state interference
or affiliation.
The debate is healthy. One camp argues for clear limits to religious expression in public life, the
other argues for freedom of religious expression in all areas of public life. Both camps have their
virtues, and the truth is that America is a better place because both camps have had to compromise
their all-or-nothing ideals. |
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10 Mar 2008 19:29
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