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Date: 8/5/2004 9:26:00 PM
From Authorid: 36704
The majority religion is Christianity so of course there's a lot of things related to Christianity around, are they supposed to hide their beliefs?  |
Date: 8/5/2004 9:28:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
NO!!! No one has the right to call any country any religion!! Paganism has been around longer!! So shouldn't it be called a pagan country, no!! NO religion has that right!! There a lot of people that are wiccan and paganism in the US!! There are even Jews, Buddist(sp), etc. So I say no, no, no!!  |
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Date: 8/5/2004 9:29:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
Also a lot of Christian traditions came from Paganism!! |
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Date: 8/5/2004 9:30:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
They are free to show there beliefs but they aren't the only religion in the US, so it would be unfair to the other religions |
Date: 8/5/2004 9:30:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 59241
I'm not saying anyone should hide their beliefs, but what I'm asking is if people have the right to say the US is a Christain country?? Yes, Christianity is the main religion, but what about the other religions? I don't think they find it fair that Chrisianity is exposed to be the "top religion."  |
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Date: 8/5/2004 9:32:00 PM
From Authorid: 36704
In other parts of the world they're known by their religions also, the middle east is islam country etc. It's not like it's a knock on other religions here, it just happens to be the majority and other parts of the world refer to us as a Christian country. |
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Date: 8/5/2004 9:33:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
Base, that isn't right to all the other of us, I'm not Christian, and I feel it isn't right!! |
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Date: 8/5/2004 9:34:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
Base, what if this was know as the Paganism country, how would you feel if your not Pagan? |
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Date: 8/5/2004 9:34:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 59241
Very good point.. paganism never gets any attention.. and yes, paganism has been around just as long and even longer. Pagans, tho get a bad rap for being "evil" and a religion of the devil. Who mainly gives them this bad rap? The Christains .. and why would a religion who gets some of their ideas from a another religion give that religion a bad name?? |
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Date: 8/5/2004 9:36:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
Because most Christians can't learn to respect others beliefs when they belief in some of the same things |
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Date: 8/5/2004 9:37:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
I shouldn't say most, a lot of Christians on USM respect others peoples, but a lot of Christians don't. |
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Date: 8/5/2004 9:37:00 PM
From Authorid: 36704
So when a part of this country is known as Republican ground, is that a diss to all the Democrats? Or when a state is known as having a very high percentage of caucasians and they say it's white country is that a diss on minorities? People are way to sensitive, not everything is a slight. |
Date: 8/5/2004 9:37:00 PM
From Authorid: 62728
Well I think the label comes in large part because of the need to generalize when talking about large groups or people or organizations or countries. America is a "Christian nation" for the reason Base mentioned, in that a majority of the population is Christian, so that helps identify the majority mood and position of the majority population to someone who may not know much else about the nation. -DeltaRebel  |
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Date: 8/5/2004 9:38:00 PM
From Authorid: 36704
Spirits if the majority was Pagan then it would be Pagan country and I wouldn't care if it was called that, why would I? |
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Date: 8/5/2004 9:39:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
I still don't think it is right!! |
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Date: 8/5/2004 9:41:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
If you where Chrisitan you would feel the same way I do right now!! Unless you don't care about your religion and beliefs, therefore you would be willing to change your beliefs to fit in!! And that isn't right either, Pagans and other religions are pushed into converting to Chrisitanity, what you you where forced into something you don't believe? |
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Date: 8/5/2004 9:42:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
what if you where forced* |
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Date: 8/5/2004 9:44:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
That is the worse part about this!! non-christians are now forced into converting or they are called evil or even a non-US person!! |
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Date: 8/5/2004 9:44:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 59241
Yes, it is called a Christain country because the majority of people are Christain and it's a fact that majority rules over most other things. Base, you may be right .. people might be a little too sensitive over that, but what is a parent to do when their child goes to school and they have to say the pledge to the flag and in that pledge it says ... "under God".. you know what i'm saying. In a way.. that child who doesn't worship God.. is saying that, but since it is a "Christain county" they shouldn't be so "sensitive about it" |
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Date: 8/5/2004 9:46:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
Maybe because everyone isn't a Christian!! |
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Date: 8/5/2004 9:46:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
They even said you couldn't say the pledge of legence, in school anymore, I wonder why they changed that. |
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Date: 8/5/2004 9:48:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
I don't mean any disrespect to anyone, I'm just trying to show you that it isn't right!! |
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Date: 8/5/2004 9:48:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 59241
Some schools do not say the pledge.. but around where I live.. all the schools still say it. |
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Date: 8/5/2004 9:48:00 PM
From Authorid: 36704
So you have a problem with other countries referring to the US as a Christian Country even though they do so because of statistics. You somehow see that as a slight on your religion when in fact it's not it's just statistical. If you want to somehow change that into victim status go right ahead but you still can't change the statistics, they are what they are. |
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Date: 8/5/2004 9:49:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
really? I thought they couldn't, because of the "under God" part? |
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Date: 8/5/2004 9:50:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
That maybe true Base, but it isn't right. Do you think it is right no matter what it is? |
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Date: 8/5/2004 9:50:00 PM
From Authorid: 36704
Then they do what the Jehovah Witnesses do and don't say it for now. They can't force you to say the pledge. But you're going off the topic of your post, your question was do you think that people have the right to call the US a Christian Country. |
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Date: 8/5/2004 9:51:00 PM
From Authorid: 62728
I think children are excused from saying it if they want to for religious reasons, but schools around me here and at my parents' in Florida still say the pledge. -DeltaRebel |
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Date: 8/5/2004 9:51:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
Base you have only given facts, what is your personal opinion? |
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Date: 8/5/2004 9:52:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
ok delta, thankz, I wasn't sure on that. |
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Date: 8/5/2004 9:53:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
lol this is fun!! |
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Date: 8/5/2004 9:53:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 59241
Yes, we still have to say "under God" and Base, I am well aware of what I said in my post.. I'm open to hear everyone's opions, but I aswell would like to state my own opion in my own post. |
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Date: 8/5/2004 9:55:00 PM
From Authorid: 36704
My personal opinion is that people will always find something to complain about and turn something around to make themselves into victims. Political correctness sucks. |
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Date: 8/5/2004 9:55:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
Author, that was what I was trying to get at, what is Bases opinion, he hasn't really given it!! |
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Date: 8/5/2004 9:57:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
Base what do you mean by this, Political correctness sucks? |
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Date: 8/5/2004 9:57:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 59241
Everyone has their own personal opinion on this issue and it is an issue that could be debated for hours.. some people want to feel like they are the victom so they protest about everything, but there are people who really take it personally when they are cut down by their peers because they are not a part of the "majority religion." |
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Date: 8/5/2004 9:58:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
I don't feel I'm a victum, I just don't feel it isn't right!! |
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Date: 8/5/2004 9:59:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
That is very true Author, I have had people hate me because of my beliefs and I never did anything to them. |
Date: 8/5/2004 10:00:00 PM
From Authorid: 12341
My only comment, "Base, carry on". A country does indeed need more than just tradition to carry on, and stand alone for. The majority must have meaning and must stand united. The world is divided into countries, some who live by centuries of older religions based on "tradition" of religion, steeped in religious belief, and carry out punishments based on those religious beliefs. Our society in this country, does embrace the Christian religion, but more than that, our society accepts the right of others to believe without harrassment. Our government does allow in the USA, the right to believe, or not, without persecution. Lawsuits based on sexual harrassment, religous harrassment, or race oriented harrassment do deter this in the US now more than ever at any other time.  |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:01:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
If the US has the right to believe, they why do they label this country as Christian?? This means, that law isn't true!! |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:01:00 PM
From Authorid: 36704
I mean political correctness sucks, exactly what it says, the moaning and groaning over every freaking word or label gets old fast. Doesn't actually seem like you wanted opinions on the actual question author but just made up a question as reason to get a few Christian bashes in. Have fun |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:03:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
I see Base!! |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:06:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 59241
True, Brenda.. but even tho this country labels itself as Land Of The Free and claims that different beliefs and different ways will not be harrased does not mean that it isn't happening.. there are many people cut down and dissed because they believe in different things.. i don't really care what the government tries to make people believe, it happens.. and those people who are being tormented don't purposly try to make themselves seem like a victom.. they'd rather be left alone. Some people do take this issue a little too seriously and some may not find it fair, but what people need to realize is that it's only religion. I don't care how important it is to you or whoever. Everyone is equal.. there shouldn't be no cutting down or anything like that. Human and human living together is what people need to see. Not Catholic and Islamic living together in vain.. |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:07:00 PM
From Authorid: 62728
I think it's easiest if the original post is broken down and answered separately. Is the U.S. mainly a Christian country? Yes. It can't really be argued since a majority of the nation's citizens identify themselves as Christian. Do people have the right to call the US a Christian country? Yes, since that is the descriptive phrase that best fits the demographic makeup of the nation. now that both of those are established (at least from my perspective) then it's important to understand that it doesn't mean that because the demographic makeup is predominantly Christian that it means the descriptive phrase "Christian nation" means that the nation endorses the Christian faith as the national religion and has a Church of America so to speak. To me, it's a matter of understanding what the phrase means in relation to the question asked. But that's just what it means to me and what my perspective is on the issue. -DeltaRebel |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:09:00 PM
From Authorid: 36704
alright delta rebel said it better than I did but that's what I was getting at |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:14:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
Very well said author!! |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:15:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
I see what DeltaRebel is say, but it isn't right to label a country when it has freedom to believe what ever!! That is like tell us, that you have to be Christian, like the author says in her last comment!! |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:15:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 59241
I see your point, Delta, and a well stated point. It's what I was trying to get people to answer. The US is identified as a Chirstain Nation, people will be affended by it.. but a lot of people see it that.. well we were here before the Islamic people, the Jews, etc.. so if you want to move here then face the facts that it is a Christain Nation .. right? I have an open opion about it and I don't really have a main thing that I believe in.. so I could argue all points given in this post. No matter how much the protesting goes on.. it will always be the same because the Christains dominate and they don't really care if it's right or wrong it's just the way things are, but my concerns go out to all the people who feel like they are always out of place for being a Christain in a place that is called ... "The Land OF The FREE" |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:15:00 PM
From Authorid: 12341
But it isn't government as much as society. Anyone who has read anything I write knows what I'm aiming for. Peace if ever it will be, will not be determined by religion or government, people have the ability to accept others. The choice is individual. Government simply stops those who hate so much from taking laws into thier own hands. Persecution of others who differ in faith or differ in economics, or race, or culture. Such a pity though, that we need those laws to "curb" ourselves upon deciding who is right or wrong and being the one to bring punishment. Whether it be a simple "tongue lashing"or a "back slashing", it does depend on the country we live in and the laws we choose to govern our own personal beliefs. The majority often rules, and that does bear thinking about... |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:17:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
Very true Brenda, but it still doesn't stop people from do things to other with a different religion, race, etc. |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:18:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 59241
***not being a Christain ..... |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:20:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
This is what the nation should be called, The Land OF The FREE, instead of The Land of the Chrisitans. |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:21:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
I give compliments to the author, this is a great topic to debate!! |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:21:00 PM
From Authorid: 36704
And people who do things to others and commit crimes go to jail and are punished for their actions. People don't go to jail for being Jewish or Pagan in this country that's why it's the land of the free. You have the freedom of religion, you seem to miss the fact that other countries label America as a Christian Country, and there's nothing you can do about that. And as far as what you guys are offering up here, there's also freedom of speech in this country and you seem to want to take that away from people and then shout THE LAND OF THE FREE, yeah that makes a lot of sense. |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:23:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
Base, so you are saying, other countries call it the Christian nation, but we don't nessesarly? I thought other countires called it the land of the free, not the christian nation!! To be honest I never heard anyone say it is the Christian nation. |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:24:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
Well until now, lol |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:26:00 PM
From Authorid: 36704
Yes other nations refer to us as a Christian Nation, pretty much the entire world and also as the land of the free because even though the majority are Christians others still have the right to believe what they choose and don't go to jail or are killed for it. The two are not mutually exclusive like you for some reason seem to think. |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:27:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
Ok I see what you are saying Base!! |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:27:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 59241
Yes, nice point Base, but we do have the freedom of speech.. and we are simply using that right at this very moment :) |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:29:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
lol, very true author!! |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:30:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 59241
I'm NOT looking to take ANY right away from anyone.. I just don't understand why people go around dissing others for being a different religion and then THOSE people run around shouting THE LAND OF THE FREE.. yes, the land of the free indeed we are. |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:33:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
Author, because people think they are right, and everyone else is evil. Its isn't right yes, but you can't change there opinion!! |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:34:00 PM
From Authorid: 36704
Well I don't know author, why are you dissing Christians and then shouting the land of the free because the only person I see really doing it is you. So maybe you can explain that one to all of us. |
Date: 8/5/2004 10:36:00 PM
From Authorid: 22308
the reason in being this is because we mainly are a Christian religion. we have also many other religions. i think its a great thing to be called a Christian country if we are called that  |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:37:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
Base no she isn't, she has agreed with a lot of us!! I feel that comment was made towards her, therefore I feel that was really rude of you and your comment should be deleted!! |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:41:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
Well I'm out of here before it gets hasty!! This was fun, later |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:42:00 PM
From Authorid: 36704
What was rude about my comment? She did exactly what she says she doesn't like people doing in this post. I don't have an answer to why people do it, since she did it maybe she can answer the question for herself, what motivated her to do it? |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:44:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 59241
I'm not dissing Christains aight, Base.. I live in a Christain family. I'm just trying to give a point of view from someone who is not a Christain follower to understand what it is like to be surrounded by Christains when I do not follow that belief. Why wont you understand where other poeple are coming from on this issue? Are you looking past your own points and understand where others are coming from? I'm not against anyone and I'm not trying to start a fight.. this is a debate.. not a battle. |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:45:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
She hasn't dissed anyone, from what I have read. Anywas, this post is getting to personal, later!! |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:47:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 59241
My whole goal was to get a different opions on things by arguing the points that you have given.. therefore i'm encourging you to state your personal opion more strongle but yet trying to get you to see the other side of things. I'm not trying to be against you.. I'm trying to state my point that this Nation always will be envolved in it's own home battles on different subjects. So before you get too defensive.. understand why I'm stating these issues. |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:48:00 PM
From Authorid: 36704
lol I'm not the one getting defensive here |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:48:00 PM
From Authorid: 12341
In the USA, we are known as a "Christian nation, and a Free Nation", I know many who worship as they please, and some who never do. No one is punished by the government. If anyone here has been harrassed, then in the US, you have the right to file suit against your oppressor. Not many other countries give monetary awards based on religious, or racial, or sexual harrassment lawsuits. No one has to believe as you, but no one has the right to take that away from you in the US? Are you aware of that? And do you have a viable issue that can be represented in court? Any litigator would gladly accept your case, because simply in the US, we do have RIGHTS based on our beliefs and the government does allow for that even while bearing the name of "being a Christian nation" and there is something that not all countries allow or proclaim. Stoning is still acceptable in some parts of the world, or lashings, sometimes for lesser things than "belief" sometimes, just based on anothers "beliefs" and there is democracy, a huge part of America. |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:49:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 59241
strongly* |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:51:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 59241
Yes, see ... this is what I was trying to do.. get all sides of opions out onto this post.. and yes I did argue with you Base, but I was simply trying to get you to understand that people are going to feel differently, you see? Nicely said Brenda |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:53:00 PM
From Authorid: 36704
"and yes I did argue with you Base" that would be the entire point of a debate author |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:57:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 59241
yes, you're right.. and this was a very good debate which I am responsible for creating :) thank you .. thank you.. lol, but i'm just wishing that people will understand that other people are always going to be out there to protest about things and no matter what you say or how much you fight.. there will always be other opions and other sides of the story. |
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Date: 8/5/2004 10:59:00 PM
From Authorid: 36704
lol author I respect your opinion and you're more than entitled to it whether I agree with you or not, thanks for the debate |
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Date: 8/5/2004 11:01:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 59241
The same to you, Base |
Date: 8/5/2004 11:58:00 PM
From Authorid: 55386
Well, stats show that ....Man,I forget the religion, but Christianity is with Catholicism...In the top 10 anyway. I don't think that the U.S. or Canada, my country, is a 'Christian country' exactly. Christianity is a religion that grows more each day, and it is a very powerful religion. The reason you find God pretty much everywhere, is probably the people that run whatever it is, has a majority of Christian people in the company or so on. I myself am Christian, yet I hate seeing God plastered everywhere like it's something everyone believes in though. But no, I wouldn't say any country is any religion, its just that country has a stronger belief in a certain religion.  |
Date: 8/6/2004 3:06:00 AM
From Authorid: 3125
According to polls, 76.5% (159 million) of Americans identify themselves as Christian. Since the majority claims to be Christian, it would be proper to say that the US is a Christian nation. This does not mean that there are no other religions in the US but that Christianity is the prominent one.  |
Date: 8/6/2004 3:46:00 AM
From Authorid: 6358
People can call the US anything they please, it's Freedom of Speech. :)  |
Date: 8/6/2004 4:03:00 AM
From Authorid: 35720
This country was founded on Christian beliefs.. I read some of the convo between Base and SOTL down there.. this may have been covered as I didn't read it all.. but Paganism was highly frowned upon back in those times.. (remember Salem witch trials?) Especially back in those days, people were very religious and Christianity just happened to be the main religion.  |
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Date: 8/6/2004 4:06:00 AM
From Authorid: 35720
By the way, who gives a crap if Christian symbolism is prevelant in today's culture (even though I don't necessarily agree with that).. why does that seem to bother non-believers so much? Seriously.. just let it go... it's not worth the stress you'll cause yourself by getting all worked up about it. |
Date: 8/6/2004 4:52:00 AM
From Authorid: 41067
In my opinion, as long as they don't expect me to go along with their beliefs when I don't expect them to go along with my own, then it shouldn't matter.  |
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Date: 8/6/2004 5:03:00 AM
From Authorid: 41067
Oh, and on the subject of being 'PC', it was originally intended to negate words that were used as insults such as white people using the word 'nigger' as a derogatory term. It has been taken to a ridiculous degree however (actress being replaced by actor, or, and I have to say this, 'Freedom Fries' when there was a disagreement with the French, for example). |
Date: 8/6/2004 6:07:00 AM
From Authorid: 47296
Rusure's numbers are a little off. Actually close to 83% of all adults identity themselves as Christian in America, yet only about 44% actively practive their faith, with this number slowly declining, the same as it is doing in all economically advanced countries. Other statistics show that only 62% believe definitely that there is a God, and only 33% believe the Bible to be the pure unadulterated word. The world veiws America as a Christian nation, given that the majority of the population does identify as Christian. America though is actually a free country where anyone has the right to practice their religion, and not have the edicts of other religions forced upon them, including laws which favor one religion's beliefs over another.  |
Date: 8/6/2004 6:20:00 AM
From Authorid: 25828
you can't be a christian country unless your citizens are 100% christian.  |
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Date: 8/6/2004 7:47:00 AM
From Authorid: 62728
Actually, Heather, you are incorrect. You can be a Christian country and not have 100 percent of your population follow that religion. It's all about describing the majority in identifying the characteristics of the nation in dicussion. It's the beautiful power of America that it can be a nation categorized as a Christian nation characteristically but still allow the open practice of other religions without state sanctioned persecution for differing beliefs. -DeltaRebel |
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Date: 8/6/2004 7:49:00 AM
From Authorid: 16671
The united States is called the land of the free, but base is right, many people consider this a christian nation because of the belief in God by so many when this country was founded. I do think its silly that anyone would think that people are being forced to convert to Christianity. No one can force anyone into becoming a christian. And it would do no good if that could happen. God knows our hearts. Were Christians because of what we believe, not because of a name "Christians" that we may or may not tell people we are. Spirits you say, "Author, because people think they are right, and everyone else is evil. Its isn't right yes, but you can't change there opinion!!"" But see you SAY that everyone else believes that a non christian is evil and your putting a blanket statement on the fact that ALL Christians act this way or say this, But see this is YOUR opinion and its a very false statement at that.  |
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Date: 8/6/2004 7:50:00 AM
From Authorid: 25828
no, literally, you cannot be a christian country unless 100% are christian. you could be a christian majority country..but not a 'christian country'. |
Date: 8/6/2004 8:00:00 AM
From Authorid: 62249
People are going to label things as they please wether we like it or not.  |
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Date: 8/6/2004 8:04:00 AM
From Authorid: 62728
You're misunderstanding the semantics of the phrase and the intent of the phrase, Heather. It's like saying there are no absolutes. Are there or aren't there? I don't think anyone would hesitate to say that Israel is a Jewish nation, yet not everyone there is Jewish. Technically based on your statement, we are not an American nation because not everyone in the country is an American citizen. See how ridiculous such a hardline stance becomes when you actually examine it for what it's worth? -DeltaRebel |
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Date: 8/6/2004 8:12:00 AM
From Authorid: 25828
i'm not misunderstanding what's being asked, i'm stating it literally. think of it this way, if you have a class with all white students and one african american, it is not a 'white' class, though the majority is white. yes, there are some absolutes. if you have 100% christians, the country is christian, absolutely 8-) if you don't have 100%, it is absolutely not. |
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Date: 8/6/2004 8:13:00 AM
From Authorid: 25828
actually, we would still be an american country , because technically, we would not count anyone that wasn't a 'citizen'..in the count of who or who was not an american citizen. those other than citizens, are just visitors, or working here on a visa...so they would not be counted. |
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Date: 8/6/2004 8:16:00 AM
From Authorid: 25828
or an american 'nation' i should say to use your words exactly. only people that were citizens of the nation should be counted. |
Date: 8/6/2004 8:20:00 AM
From Authorid: 52155
"That is the worse part about this!! non-christians are now forced into converting or they are called evil or even a non-US person!!" <--- This is probably the dumbest thing I have ever read here. SOTL, would you care to explain where in the US this is happening?  |
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Date: 8/6/2004 8:20:00 AM
From Authorid: 52155
oh and Base rocks! |
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Date: 8/6/2004 8:23:00 AM
From Authorid: 52155
To answer this post: Because calling this country a "Christian /Catholic/ Jewish/ Muslim/ Jehovah Witness/ Morman/ Islam/ Ghoomba/ Pagan/ Believe whatever you wish Country" takes to long to type out. And since Christianity is the prevelant religion here, we go with that. |
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Date: 8/6/2004 8:34:00 AM
From Authorid: 25828
the question is..why must we call it anything at all, other than, the USA |
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Date: 8/6/2004 8:41:00 AM
From Authorid: 52155
because that it what the majority of the people who live here recognize it as. |
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Date: 8/6/2004 8:50:00 AM
From Authorid: 62728
You're still missing the point. When dealing with large groups of people and characterizations of that group, things are discussed in generalizations. It's practically unavoidable because to try to account for every representative would take more time than the actual discussion. The United States is characterized as a Christian nation because of the fact that more than 75 percent of its people identify themselves as such. That doesn't mean everyone in the nation is a Christian. If it helps, the phrase is correct because "predominantly" is the word that is implied in front of Christian nation. It's not a statement meant to illustrate that the nation is a theocracy or that the entire population is Christian, merely that if it were to be categorized then it would fall into that category instead of the Jewish nation or Muslim nation category. -DeltaRebel |
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Date: 8/6/2004 8:52:00 AM
From Authorid: 62728
As to your comparison of the white class. If you compare it to a class that is all black with only one white kid, then it would absolutley be a white class as opposed to a black class. It is a basis for comparison and characterization of a large group, not a persecution or oppression of a minority. -DeltaRebel |
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Date: 8/6/2004 9:01:00 AM
From Authorid: 25828
yes but i'm sure the majority of the people that live here aren't of above average intelligence, either. so you're saying a class with all blacks and one white is a 'white class'? yes, people characterize groups, but that doesn't mean they're right. that just means that a large group of people are wrong. the only reason most christians must categorize the country as 'christian'..is the same reason they have demoninations - to exclude ones that don't think like themselves and feel that they are part of a larger whole. to 'justify' oneself. or to feel justified by a larger group that you are a member of. how could it be a christian country - when so many denominations think the others are going to hades. I dare say , that the only time different denominations agree with one another as to who's 'christian' and who's 'not', is when they're trying to call this country a christian one and group themselves into one large group - the rest of the time, everyone but their own specific denomination is a heathen. |
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Date: 8/6/2004 9:04:00 AM
From Authorid: 62728
Just as a quick note...I don't mean or want for the discussion to get personal. I just take a much less literal stance on the issue becuase I recognize the phrase as an attempt to describe a nation of almost 300 million people by it's predominant characteristics in comparison to the some other 270-odd nations in the world. -DeltaRebel |
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Date: 8/6/2004 9:06:00 AM
From Authorid: 62728
Definitely have to agree with you on that one, Heather. I have heard some funny things come out of the mouths of one group when talking about another. LOL. Good point. -DeltaRebel |
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Date: 8/6/2004 9:46:00 AM
From Authorid: 25828
oh well, god loves everyone - so i always think it will be amusing when the ones that think the others are going to hades sees everyone else there in the end 8-) |
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Date: 8/6/2004 9:47:00 AM
From Authorid: 25828
by 'there' i mean in the same place god is. |
Date: 8/6/2004 10:10:00 AM
From Authorid: 2030
This rapidly becoming a "whining" country, "this isn't right, that isn't right, my rights are, my rights, my rights". The majority in any situation or country tend to set the tone and direction of that situation or country. Forcing beliefs on people is of course wrong. But if I was living in, for example Saudi Arabia, and I objected to the daily call for prayer I was forced to hear, what would be my recourse? It isn't right? It isn't right for who, and what damage is done?  |
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Date: 8/6/2004 10:15:00 AM
From Authorid: 25828
everyone should be able to believe as they choose. so in saudi i would say it's fine to not want the prayer, but why stop those that are doing it. |
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Date: 8/6/2004 10:22:00 AM
From Authorid: 47296
BCAR, there was something in your last statement that got me to thinking back. I have been in a predomonately Moslem country, where the call to prayer was heard throughout the towns and cities. When the call top prayer went out, those of the Moslem faith would pray to Mecca. Those not of the Moslem faith, incuding us Americans who were in country at the time, would stop what we were doing out of respect to those who were praying. It was not mandatory that we do so, but we did it to show that we repsected them and their religion. Some Christians would even take it as an opportunity to pray to their God. The Moslems did not mind that, and in fact, held us in a higher regard for showing respect for their faith and customs. People may call us a Christian nation. To be such though, the majority of the people in this country would have to uphold themselves to understood Christian standards. Unfortunatley, that is not happening. |
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Date: 8/6/2004 11:23:00 AM
From Authorid: 50678
EDDO, well it has happened to me and many of my other firends, that is proof enough for me!! I'm anon-Christian therfore I'm called evil and Christians are always trying to get me to convert!! Personal experiences! |
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Date: 8/6/2004 11:25:00 AM
From Authorid: 50678
I agree with Heather!! |
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Date: 8/6/2004 11:44:00 AM
From Authorid: 2030
Good Point Two Spirits, Christian Standards? That seems to differ as to who you talk with. half the Christian religions in this country think the other half are heathens. |
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Date: 8/6/2004 12:08:00 PM
From Authorid: 52155
TwoSpirit does make a good point here. and SOTL, friends trying to convert you and someone "forcing you to convert" are two different things... |
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Date: 8/6/2004 12:08:00 PM
From Authorid: 52155
oh sorry, forgot to add: !!! |
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Date: 8/6/2004 12:12:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
I said my friends are like me, Christians trying to convert us, my friends have never tryed to convert me!! It are people on the street that I don't know that are saying I will go to hell if I don't convert to Christian, I feel that is forcing!! |
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Date: 8/6/2004 12:13:00 PM
From Authorid: 52155
They may be forcing their opinion on you, but they are not forcing you to convert. see the difference? !!! |
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Date: 8/6/2004 12:14:00 PM
From Authorid: 52155
you have the choice to listen to them not just walk on by. They are not holding a gun to your head making you denounce whatever you may believe in favor of Christianity. |
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Date: 8/6/2004 12:15:00 PM
From Authorid: 52155
and who cares if some bozo on the street corner calls you "evil?" |
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Date: 8/6/2004 12:17:00 PM
From Authorid: 50678
ok I see your point Eddo!! |
Date: 8/6/2004 3:33:00 PM
From Authorid: 1799
to me, its just stupid.. we're the USA. thats all.. if people want to call it a christian country, then whatever.. but i don't see it as that.. its just the USA to me.  |
Date: 8/7/2004 2:10:00 PM
From Authorid: 19220
I haven't read any of the replies so I'll probably repeat what someone else has already said but thats ok...lol Anywho, No I don't believe the US is a "Christian" country. I believe there are many whom pratice the Christian religion but I know many who don't. This country should not be called a Christian country simply because of how long Christianity's been around. There are many other beliefs and/or religions that have been around a lot longer.  |
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Date: 8/7/2004 3:48:00 PM
From Authorid: 19220
I just came back and read the replies and I see what Base and others are saying. Do I mind being labeled by different countries as an Christian nation? Naaa, why should I. When I first read the post, I thought you wanted to know if this is how I'd describe the US. As I read the replies by Base, I caught what he was saying. |
Date: 8/8/2004 7:09:00 AM
From Authorid: 57225
NoOoOoOoOo we should NOT be called a christain coutry.. no no no no no no  |
Date: 8/8/2004 1:58:00 PM
From Authorid: 1225
Religion has nothing to do with any country, just the people who believe in it.  |
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Date: 8/8/2004 2:53:00 PM
From Authorid: 62728
Religion has a lot to do with many countries around the world, Neptune. The Middle East is a prime example of that. The issues between Israel and Palestine, as well as policies made by other nations definitely illustrate that point. Now is that the way it should be? Probably not on most levels, at least not to the point of a theocracy. -DeltaRebel |
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Date: 8/9/2004 3:29:00 PM
From Authorid: 1225
You're right. Though ideally there would be no organized religions at all, anything is better than a theocracy. |
Date: 8/13/2004 5:13:00 AM
From Authorid: 22080
it shouldnt be called a christian country unless you want to dissolve freedom of religon  |
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Date: 8/13/2004 5:15:00 AM
From Authorid: 22080
the funniest thing is that most people say they are christian out of habit because they either A. dont know theyre beliefs may have a different name or B. its what they are most used to. |
Date: 8/14/2004 8:22:00 PM
From Authorid: 24845
I've never really thought of it as a christian country. It's more a melting pot of different religions and different ethinic groups. Each one making the whole stronger. I think that christianity is all over the world, not just in the United States. I've noticed that it's a popular belief and I happen to be a believer. The United States is a free country and you have the right to believe as you wish without the risk of persecution. That may be why we hear more about it in our country.  |
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