Really good article on our non-Christian nation
Over at the left-leaning the Nation, they have a really good article by Brooke Allen that is entitled "Our Godless Constitution" and makes the argument that America was founded on Enlightenment principles (life, liberty and pursuit of happiness) and not on Biblical principles. If you have an open mind on this subject and are interested in a very well researched article, go check it out. However, the most interesting thing is this graf:
In 1797 our government concluded a "Treaty of Peace and Friendship between the United States of America and the Bey and Subjects of Tripoli, or Barbary," now known simply as the Treaty of Tripoli. Article 11 of the treaty contains these words:
"As the Government of the United States...is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion--as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity of Musselmen--and as the said States never have entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mehomitan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries."
This document was endorsed by Secretary of State Timothy Pickering and President John Adams. It was then sent to the Senate for ratification; the vote was unanimous. It is worth pointing out that although this was the 339th time a recorded vote had been required by the Senate, it was only the third unanimous vote in the Senate's history
Pretty convincing I'd say. The complete treaty text is here. So PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE stop telling the lie that America needs to get back to its roots and re-establish itself as a Christian nation.
posted by Anonymous @ 6:34 AM
