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Originally Posted by genuinegirly
Wow, so many opinions, so much said here of value. This really is a forum for varying ideologies. fascinating.
Wasn't the US established with the intent to give no religion a dominant stance? I could be wrong, but I thought that a few of the key players in the founding of the country were dualists and other "hip" religions of the time. Not so much a Christian ideology to bind it all together. The current administration seems to have the opinion that 95% of the American people are die-hard protestants, bent on saving the world through evangelization. I could have a skewed perspective out here in California, but last time I checked there were more soft-spoken, gentle Christians who don't consider evangelism as a pertinent practice - and at least 60% of the population aren't even Christian.
Having a moral base is awesome. Religion isn't necessary for a moral base. Morals are necessary for a moral base... Religion and politics just don't mesh. They shouldn't.
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As being derived of Western tradition and civilization, it is clear that American law and morality has it's foundation in Christianity. America's moral basis is from Christian principles, that doesn't equate so much to evangicals and their missions, but as a means of foundation and tradition it's the truth.
Second off the founding fathers didn't intend for a state forced religion, the whole notion of Separation of Chruch is State has to do with Roger Williams a baptist preacher (I believe an early American exile even). The FFers remembered how in Britain the only church allowed was the Anglican church, it was forced on the people, hence you had people traveling across the ocean to get away. The second inference of "separation", most importantly the first time it comes up in America's history and tradition is Jefferson's letter to the Danbury baptists. The baptist's had heard that the government was plotting to install a state religion, Jefferson wrote them, using the words of one of the historic Baptist preachers to squash those fears. The original intent of the wall was a one sided wall, to protect the church from the state, this can be seen in the first amendment as in regards to religion it only states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...".
Also just knocking off other things brought up in regards to break down of population I think current guesstimates put the Christian population in America between 65-70% of Americans, with 90ish% having some belief in a higher power(s). Also noting that you said California I would have a tough time believing 60% of the population isn't Christian seeing as to how many hispanic minorities you have there, because they are largely Catholic/Christian.
But you are largely right, you don't need religion to have morality. But it just so happens that most of our legal traditions are related to Judeo-Christian ideals and principles, they haven't done us wrong so far.