The End of Christian America?

In terms of the subject of Social Studies, one can immediately see an issue with the title of the Newsweek Article posted on April 8, 2009 entitled, "The End of Christian America. The first point of discussion, is that we do not live in a Theocracy or religious based state. This country was founded on Freedom. One of the reasons many people came to this country in the colonial stage, was because of religious freedom.

All over Europe in the years before the "New World" was discovered, there was much religious persecution happening. Prominent religious figures, like Martin Luther and John Calvin were coming on the scene and forming their new religions as a result of their disagreements with the church in the country in which they resided. When the new world was discovered and offers by organizations like the London Company were offering people land if they would be willing to go to the "New World." The other reason why people would go to the new world is because of religious freedom.

The "New World" was the place to go if you were being persecuted because of your religion. If you were willing to endure the weeks it took to travel in the harsh conditions of a ship across the Atlantic Ocean, you would be welcomed with open arms to the colonies. One could travel up and down the east coast to find a colony where their particular religion was being practiced, and settle there.

When Independence was declared, the forefathers of this country realized there are many different religions here. In order for democracy to work, religion could not be factored in to the governing body, or there would be many conflicts, before the first law would be passed. This is what stemmed the "Separation of Church and State." This country was founded on a Judeo-Christian philosophy, not religion. This could open up a totally different discussion of Philosophy Versus Religion, but that is for another time.

In any given city, you will find people of many religions. Not all of them may be practicing, but they identify with a religion. For example, in a workplace I worked in not long ago, there were Muslims, Christians, Roman Catholics, Athiests, and people who practiced Judaism. Everyone was considered American. Some had recently come to this country and were working on their citizenship, but were here legally. Others had children that the mother is Christian and the father practiced Judaism. This is a prime example of a true American family in the sense of the freedom of this country. In countries that have religous governments, the "mixed religion" family could be in serious trouble. In some cultures, they might have been imprisoned or possibly executed for this "difference of belief."

The article talks about the different religions in the country and statistics regarding who is identifying with Christianity, Roman Catholocism, Judaism, Islam, and those "unaffiliated with a certain faith" and those who are angnostic and athiest. This article is based on the American Religious Identification Survey.

The article mentions R. Albert Mohler Jr. throughout as being disturbed by the results of the survey. As a minister, he is entitled to be concerned. He is quoted as saying the "historic foundation of America's religious culture was cracking." I disagree with this point because it is not historically accurate. Just because people are not affiliating with a particular religion and attendance may be declining, this is not the "end" of the culture. People may be changing religions. This is what America was and is built on. This is why people come here. They have the freedom to change if they wish. There is nothing wrong with this. In fact, it is a truly American action!

In terms of Newsweek's article, Mr. Meachem is incorrect by labeling America as Christian. We are not a theocracy, so there should be no religion added to the name of this country. A title that might have been more appropriate could be, "The end of Christianity in America."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/192583?GT1=43002