February 11, 2010
This year’s social-studies review has drawn the most attention for the battles over what names should be included in the roll call of history. But while ignoring Kennedy and upgrading Gingrich are significant moves, something more fundamental is on the agenda. The one thing that underlies the entire program of the nation’s Christian conservative activists is, naturally, religion. But it isn’t merely the case that their Christian orientation shapes their opinions on gay marriage, abortion and government spending. More elementally, they hold that the United States was founded by devout Christians and according to biblical precepts. This belief provides what they consider not only a theological but also, ultimately, a judicial grounding to their positions on social questions. When they proclaim that the United States is a “Christian nation,” they are not referring to the percentage of the population that ticks a certain box in a survey or census but to the country’s roots and the intent of the founders.The article goes on to look at both sides of the issue for 9 pages. It's conclusion, while the founders may have been Christian they were also participants in the enlightenment (enlightenees??) and that was characterized by questioning and distrust of religions role in government.
The Christian “truth” about America’s founding has long been taught in Christian schools, but not beyond. Recently, however — perhaps out of ire at what they see as an aggressive, secular, liberal agenda in Washington and perhaps also because they sense an opening in the battle, a sudden weakness in the lines of the secularists — some activists decided that the time was right to try to reshape the history that children in public schools study. Succeeding at this would help them toward their ultimate goal of reshaping American society. As Cynthia Dunbar, another Christian activist on the Texas board, put it, “The philosophy of the classroom in one generation will be the philosophy of the government in the next.”
...
the Christian bloc’s notion this year to bring Christianity into the coverage of American history is not, from their perspective, revisionism but rather an uncovering of truths that have been suppressed. “I don’t know that what we’re doing is redefining the role of religion in America,” says Gail Lowe, who became chairwoman of the board after McLeroy was ousted and who is one of the seven conservative Christians. “Many of us recognize that Judeo-Christian principles were the basis of our country and that many of our founding documents had a basis in Scripture. As we try to promote a better understanding of the Constitution, federalism, the separation of the branches of government, the basic rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights, I think it will become evident to students that the founders had a religious motivation.”Plenty of people disagree with this characterization of the founders, including some who are close to the process in Texas. “I think the evidence indicates that the founding fathers did not intend this to be a Christian nation,” says James Kracht, who served as an expert adviser to the board in the textbook-review process. “They definitely believed in some form of separation of church and state.”
There is, however, one slightly awkward issue for hard-core secularists who would combat what they see as a Christian whitewashing of American history: the Christian activists have a certain amount of history on their side.
I agree. I am not a constitutional scholar but personally I feel that the founders did intend a "wall of separation", at least at the federal level. It can be seen in Jefferson's writings, the history of colonization in America (specifically the Pilgrims who came here to escape "established churches"), The writings of Thomas Paine and James Madison among others. The board members in Texas seem to ignore those writings. Personally I think they fatally undercut their case.
I suspect that there are some who will disagree with me wholeheartedly.
(Note: This isn't to say that I am denying the strong Judeo-Chrsitian influence on American society and history. That is undeniable and a positive thing in my opinion. I am just saying that I don't think the founders intended a "Christian nation")
*I am probably violating the DPUD style guide by linking the NY Times but I excerpted a lot of material so I felt it had to be done.
Posted by: chad98036 at
09:57 PM
| Comments (52)
| Add Comment
Post contains 749 words, total size 5 kb.
Posted by: doubleplusundead at February 11, 2010 10:08 PM (GcfAO)
Not to say that established state churches are a good idea, just that nobody assumed the US Constitution had any prohibition on them.
This is, of course, entirely consistent with a religiously neutral Federal government, and the Treaty of Tripoli in 1797.
Posted by: JoeCollins at February 11, 2010 10:18 PM (jtJig)
Posted by: ECM at February 11, 2010 10:27 PM (nYKDd)
I'm probably really bastardizing this, but given the way the book's arranged here's the idea I've gotten so far. The "Christian Nation" stuff was pre-revolution. The Pilgrims (and similar colonists) didn't want religious freedom as we know it, they wanted to establish their own religious community (and burn witches and stuff). Phase Two is the "competition" phase and marketplace of ideas, roughly coincident with the writing of the Constitution. (The deists make an appearance in phase 2.) Phase three is "religious freedom", though I don't have a clue yet how this differs from phase 2.
Some other books on this topic in my Amazon wishlist (which I now see is way longer than I'll ever get to) include:
-Founding Faith: How Our Founding Fathers Forged a Radical New Approach to Religious Liberty
-The Founders on Religion: A Book of Quotations
-The Faiths of the Founding Fathers
-Washington's God
-On Two Wings: Humble Faith and Common Sense at the American Founding
Posted by: JoeCollins at February 12, 2010 12:10 AM (jtJig)
JoeCollins, you might want to add "The Christian Character of the Civil Institutions of the United States" by Benjamin Franklin Morris to that list, with the caveat that it was first published during the Civil War, and therefore, it does not contain the style of citation that one would expect of modern works. (Much of the introduction could have been written for today, strangely enough)
Nonetheless, I found it quite interesting, and certainly contrary to the "most of the Founding Fathers were deists" meme so prevalent today. Between that and "Faith of Our Founding Fathers", I'm fairly convinced that Paine, Jefferson, and Franklin were deists, although Franklin's various statements seem to be more supportive of the Bible both as a means to learn about God and as a foundation for civil society than Jefferson was.
However, depending on how one chooses to conceptualize the roles of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, the fact that the Constitution does not establish a religion is not surprising. Especially since other governmental documents such as the Northwest Ordinance, and the acts of several Congresses to publish and distribute Bibles to schools would seem to favor the argument that while the Founders had no intent to establish any one sect of Christianity as an official state religion, neither did they intend that christianity with a small "c" would be the common moral frame of reference and practice with the nation. This was consistent with both acts of Congress and rulings of the Supreme Court up until 1949 when the Everson case made that famous excerpt from Jefferson's Private Letter to the Danbury Baptists the standard for the Court's interpretation of the Establishment Clause, and a means for anti-Christian litigants to start undoing law and precedent that dates back to the establishment of the Republic. This is only made more ironic by the fact that Jefferson himself was not present for the Constitutional Convention, as he was serving as the Ambassador to France at the time, and later saw to it that the University of Virginia had ample space set aside dedicated specifically to the practice and preservation of faith. Indeed, the texts of several of his speeches given while he was President makes clear that he certainly didn't have a problem seeking guidance from God, or invoking his name as he considered how God might have judged various national institutions and practices.
A walking tour of the nation's capitol and examination of the various buildings and structures will also reveal numerous references to God, and his role in the history of this country, and contradicts the modern view regarding the relationship between church and state and what is Constitutionally permissible.
Posted by: Blackiswhite, Imperial Consigliere at February 12, 2010 01:52 AM (nT/hE)
Amongst American Christian fundamentalists (I'm one btw), the tale goes a bit deeper. We believe that the ultimate source of the blessings that America enjoys are due to our adherence as a nation to the laws of the God of Abraham, and our support - and our continued support - as a nation, to Israel.
We don't politically push this (well the fringe is as the fringe always does, and you just can't keep idiots from being embarrassingly and publicly vocal: its a free country) ...because we understand as well as anyone the need for religious tolerance, and the reason for a political separation of church and state (our forebears came here to practice denominal faiths that were NOT accepted in the countries of our origins).
But that belief (expressed Biblically in the Compact with God of Abraham's genetic and spiritual descendents) is a large part of the reason even thoughtful fundamentalists are increasingly - and politically - resistant to the overt anti-Chrisitian secularization of the nation: our fear and belief (or more correctly: our certainty) is that those blessings will - increasingly - be removed from the nation, if we as a nation move away from that ancient compact with God.
(Not preaching btw: explaining, and adding to the discussion ...and don't mind - or care, actually: to each his own, and whatever works for you - if you don't agree ... someone else's disbelief doesn't change my faith. What's between you and God is none of my bloody business.)
I just assume that this is common knowledge ...it's always a bit strange to me to realize that it might actually be rather ...obscure.
Posted by: davis,br at February 12, 2010 02:05 AM (uCShA)
The biggest lie peddled by the left over the last 50 years is that secularism is morality neutral.
It is no such thing, and the dirty little secret is that secular humanists knew this right from the start. All it takes is to peruse the Humanist Manifesto I, in which they repeatedly characterize their own beliefs as religious in nature.
Posted by: Blackiswhite, Imperial Consigliere at February 12, 2010 02:30 AM (nT/hE)
I am a lapsed Catholic (fallen is probably more appropriate). I just had too many disagreements personally with the Church of Rome, and since it's their religion, it's not my place (in spite of what Pelosi and Kennedy seem to think) to tell them they're wrong. So I left. Nowadays if you try to pin me down, I'd pretty much confess to being a Deist with christian (little c) leanings.
That said. I do NOT like the severe anti-Christian bias that has been sweeping the nation (in universities and media mostly). And it has less to do with my ox being gored and more to do with the concept that you cannot discriminate vs minorities, so it must be ok and even laudable to discriminate against the majority. The most recent example of this I can come up with is the Moslem chaplain at that one university (I may have read about it on some blog) saying that it's the duty of moslems to kill homosexuals and he can't teach otherwise. Had this man been a Christian chaplain, he'd have been out on his ass that day. Instead, we get lectures of "be tolerant of different beliefs" from the University administration. Yeah, about that, FOADIAF.
What's good for the goose is fucking good for the horns of the bull you rode in on (or something like that). If you want to preach tolerance of different beliefs, that fucking includes mainstream ones you dickfisters. No I don't ascribe to a fundamentalist Christian lifestyle. And the Constitution guarantees I won't have to. But by the same goddamn token, I don't have to ascribe to a Moslem lifestyle NOR do I have to ascribe to an atheistic one, you hypocritical shitgobblers!!! So sit down, shut the fuck up, let good folks practice whatever fucking religion they want (and by the way, atheism is a religion itself) and leave all of us the fuck alone.
Posted by: MikeD at February 12, 2010 11:07 AM (FkL60)
See, I've always thought they subscribed to the Judeo-Christian "Philosophy" and not necessarily any, particular religion.
They two are different, or else there would be only one Christian church instead of however many there are.
It seems to me that most of them subscribe to the same core philosophy (considering they're working from the same, general text they'd have to), they just worship differently.
Sure there are outliers, but in general they're mostly about doing unto others as they want to be done upon.
Posted by: Veeshir at February 12, 2010 05:56 PM (SYAAx)
Posted by: yanjun at May 07, 2010 12:55 AM (rPNAO)
Posted by: tiffany at June 28, 2010 01:09 AM (nWYLZ)
Posted by: brianwish at August 04, 2010 09:03 PM (Qecej)
people want and because the p90x dvdsexercise time, intensity and specific
projects. Note that a fair P90X Workout of the 10 Minute
Trainer heat source of the quality of heat after exercise, the
supply of material p90x workout DVD should be the main suga
always reach the ideal weight you want.
Posted by: dsad at October 12, 2010 12:58 AM (DHGaB)
Posted by: ifly11 at November 22, 2010 01:21 AM (k2AzC)
Posted by: Coach diaper bags on sale at December 21, 2010 08:12 PM (FDwKn)
Posted by: lolita at February 20, 2011 04:11 AM (k+H1o)
Posted by: Ebru at February 28, 2011 05:49 PM (wWE4W)
Posted by: zara at March 14, 2011 09:24 PM (ziZas)
Posted by: human hair wigs for black women at June 13, 2011 02:43 AM (vDhNv)
family counseling seattle
car loans for bad credit
Posted by: mickey at July 05, 2011 05:07 AM (BtrGF)
nail art supplies
physician assistant program
Posted by: babbugsa90 at July 09, 2011 04:39 AM (mrfZW)
http://xn--4dbkejgindb3a5f.co.il
http://xn--6dbenabrb9azdt.co.il
Posted by: denis123 at July 11, 2011 04:30 AM (pSFGM)
Posted by: actioner at July 31, 2011 08:52 PM (cfHvw)
WherethereareoverlappingOffice2010chartsExcelinsistsonrefreshingOffice2010key
everysingleoneofOfficeprofessional2010
Posted by: Office 2010 at August 10, 2011 09:11 PM (xDVO3)
Home Insurance Buckingham FL
Maternity swimwear
Posted by: kinmew1 at August 12, 2011 02:29 AM (tPfl/)
Drug Law Des Moines IA
Home Insurance Plano
Posted by: nokia6288 at August 15, 2011 05:49 AM (33Vgk)
Posted by: kawalwodki at September 04, 2011 12:05 AM (hH7WR)
Posted by: Personal Training Orange County at September 27, 2011 01:05 PM (nt6wv)
Posted by: punnuwoki at October 05, 2011 02:15 AM (KHcUl)
property management Lake Mary
penis enlargement pills
Posted by: nehawodki at October 07, 2011 02:05 AM (WVKT+)
Posted by: special needs kids at October 07, 2011 03:21 AM (3J0PT)
air charter las vegas
Alarm NY
Posted by: vikramwoki at October 09, 2011 08:44 AM (pQgND)
buy followers on twitter
Posted by: Ahler at October 10, 2011 06:05 AM (JtF61)
bankruptcy lawyers nj
penny auction site
Posted by: vashwdoki at October 12, 2011 02:21 AM (RZPiQ)
cloud services
Movers Boston MA
Posted by: arshwodki at October 15, 2011 11:57 PM (moxAe)
Baby bamse
Bånd
Posted by: hiddensahib at November 01, 2011 12:41 AM (PXKWb)
stainless steel tube fittings
plastic surgery Chicago
Posted by: rajvanwodki at November 05, 2011 11:59 PM (W0EKV)
Thanks for sharing!if anyone be interested in windows 7 or office 2010.here have microsoft
genuine windows 7 product key and office 2010 product key.100% activation!more discount!
save your more money!
http://www.salekey.net
http://www.windows7keysale.net
http://www.microsoftwindows7key.com
Posted by: lisa at November 08, 2011 12:03 AM (+5x7g)
Posted by: footballshirts at November 10, 2011 02:35 AM (X2DEJ)
Posted by: http://www.uggs-colorful.com at November 18, 2011 08:26 PM (rFdXW)
Posted by: iiier at December 01, 2011 09:40 PM (CmTh7)
lottery strategy Medical Weight Loss Salt Lake City
Posted by: amanbirki at December 03, 2011 04:35 AM (OyflA)
Posted by: emporio armani watches at December 05, 2011 09:52 PM (kcytK)
This is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for sharing this great article ! That is very interesting Smile I love reading and I am always searching for informative information like this ! hammer mill
Posted by: pellet mill at December 07, 2011 09:10 PM (/JBg1)
Coach outlet store onlineLeading American designer and maker of luxury lifestyle handbags and accessories.Large market in Europe and Canada,UK,USA etc.Welcom to Order!
Posted by: Coach outlet store online at December 09, 2011 03:41 AM (nla2I)
Posted by: digital fm transmitter at December 12, 2011 12:16 AM (Rbpff)
movers in miami jet rentalaspen
Posted by: karand2p at December 13, 2011 02:30 AM (aRzZL)
WholesaleNFLJerseys,Havea2012NFLallstargameJerseysistheperfectwaytosupportyourfavoriteplayers!
Buya2012NFLallstargameJerseyscheeringforthem,allofthejerseyisthemanagercarefullycheckedtoensurecustomersatisfaction.
Onlineshoppingisconvenienceandfast,itisbestwayforpeoplewholikewatchingthegamesbuthavenotimegoshoppingbuygoodswhichtherewant.
Don'thesitate,ifyoulikethegoodsinourwebsite:http://www.cheapjerseyclub.com/,wearethebestbuyjerseyscheap,
contactus,therecansavingyourtimee-commerce,aslongasyougiveusyourorder,wewilldothebestserviceforyou.
wisheverycustomshaveahappinesslife.
Posted by: 2012 all star game jerseys cheap at January 17, 2012 01:15 AM (z+B63)
Hi guys. My name is Joyce and I am from Colorado. I like to chat with my friends in social networks like Facebook. I pass many hours in front of the computer and try to get as much information about IT marketing as it is possible. If you are interested in IT marketing then follow the link.
twitter marketing,buy facebook likes,google plus 1,youtube hits,tumblr followers.
Posted by: RobertTwitterFollowers at February 06, 2012 07:40 AM (8oECt)
Powered by Minx 1.1.4-pink.
