|
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 678
Veteran CEG\'er
|
Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 678 |
Originally posted by caltour:
Look at the constitution and declaration of independence. They largely reflect not christian principles, but secular humanist ones. Democracy itself is a secular humanist creation, and it owes virtually nothing to christian dogma. Individual liberty, religious pluralism, self governance, freedom from domination by hereditary rulers, etc: these are not biblical concepts by any stretch of the imagination.
Absolutely. When the founding fathers drafted the documents upon which our nation was founded (the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation and the federal Constitution), they were well aware that these documents were among the most important documents ever drafted, certainly in the history of America and possibly in the history of the modern world. Many of our founding fathers were deeply religious and were not shy about expressing their faith.
Given this context, read through these documents and see how many references there are to "Jesus", or "Jesus Christ", or "God the Father", or "Christianity", or the "Bible" or even "religion".
And correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the one Christian principle which stands above all others that no one can get to heaven unless he or she accepts that Jesus Christ died for his sins? Where does the "pursuit of happines" rank among the most important tenets of Christian dogma? Is this really a Christian ideal?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,193
Hard-core CEG\'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,193 |
In fact, if you consider many of the Puritain and Separatist beliefs still prevalent in New England in that day... they believed in a very rigid life which precluded most pursuits of happiness... and predestination.
Brad "Diva": 2004 Mazda 6s 5-door, Volcanic Red
Rex: 1988 Mazda RX-7 Vert, Harbor Blue.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 3,290
Hard-core CEG\'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 3,290 |
Originally posted by 99SESPORT:
I believe Judeo-Christian comes from the fact that Christianity was started with the Jews, and branched out from there...
Understood. But there seems to be a disconnect between referring to quotes by our founding fathers that mention Christianity but not Judaism, while at the same time referring to "our country's Judeo-Christian heritage."
E0 #36
'95 Ranger
'82 Honda CX500
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,970
Hard-core CEG'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,970 |
2005 Ford F150 SuperCab FX4
1964 Chevrolet Impala SS
1998 CSVT: 354HP/328TQ @ 10 psi, now gone 
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 3,290
Hard-core CEG\'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 3,290 |
Originally posted by Swazo:
This might help you see the connection better
Interesting read, thanks. It explains that viewpoint in great detail.
Interestingly, despite all that, it appears a few founding fathers did not embrace the Jews entirely with open arms.
Bascially, it seems that "Judeo-Christian heritage" is an appropriate term because the founding fathers drew some of their inspiration from the Bible, and the Jewish faith is in step with the Old Testament. Plus, as some Biblical scholarly writings were in Hebrew, some of these were referenced in official and scholarly pursuits.
IMO, though, as we've discussed, the founding fathers were less religious than the prevailing trends (most were Unitarian or deist, and the US' founding documents certainly go out of their way to keep mention of religion to a minimum in the context of the period). Plus, the Enlightenment largely inspired our FF's, and a prime tenet of that movement was to separate religion from politics. Add the obvious Greco/Roman influences, and all the evidence still points to "Christian" or "Judeo-Christian" heritage only describing one facet of the country's foundation to the exclusion of the other - perhaps more important - influences.
E0 #36
'95 Ranger
'82 Honda CX500
|
|
|
|
|
