What Would a U.S. Christian Nation Look Like?
By Steve Dustcircle
What Would a U.S. Christian Nation Look Like?
By Steve Dustcircle
The founding document of the United States of America
acknowledges the Lordship of Jesus Christ because we are
There is nothing further from the truth. America is not a
“Christian nation.” While a majority of Americans profess
themselves to be Christians, many have no clue what
Christianity actually teaches, let alone live the so-called
Christian life.
While there are many aspects of Christian doctrine—and a
variety of Christian practices—the house is still divided after
2,000 years of bickering, evolving, changing, growing,
diluting, and dying off. The Christian churches cannot agree
and settle on any firm theology except for a couple of
unimportant doctrines, and probably never will. We see this
with the formation of even newer Christian sects and cults:
Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, non-denominations, et al.
The diversity of America's Christians are diverse, everything
from fundamental theocrats to the nominal deist believer.
About the only theology they agree on is something that
simply isn't true: America is NOT a Christian nation.
Among other countries, America can be considered “blessed”
in many areas. However, America also fails miserably in
many facets. For example, America usually ranks #1, or very
close to it, in poverty, homelessness, murder, rape, child
abuse, prison population, obesity, suicide, and military
action, just to name several. We do horrible things in this
country to one another that would be considered anything but
Jesus-like.
But what was Jesus like? The four Gospels that are
considered part of the New Testament differ in some ways, as
do the extra-biblical Gospels, and many scholars even doubt
the authenticity of the stories within any or all of these
multiple Gospels. Therefore, it's really hard to tell what Jesus
was truly like, if he was an actual person who had lived
2,000 years ago.
Although the four Gospels differ and copy from each other, I
assume there would be little argument if I said that Jesus was
homeless, mystical, secretive, mysterious, wise, and maybe
even peaceful. He told Peter to put away his sword when the
guard's ear was cut off. He convinced the raging mob to
leave alone the woman they tricked into adultery. He didn't
fight back when he was captured and later beat.
We also see another side of Jesus, depending on which
Gospel you read, and which story or addition you read. He
ridiculed his family by saying his family were only those
who did his bidding. He rebuked his mother for asking him
to do a miracle at a wedding. He told his disciples that he
came to bring a sword and not peace. He said that people
who didn't bear fruit out of season deserved to whither. He
accused the most religious and ritualistic for being sinful and
sneaky. He stirred up trouble, and people killed him for it;
whether it all or in part happened or not is still being debated
even two millennium later.
But the four Gospels in the Bible are only a part of the
Christian doctrine. There are also letters by supposed
apostles of Jesus, some being written before the Gospels
were, and some being written up to 200 years after Jesus'
crucifixion, long after all eye-witnesses have died.
Modern Christians' letters, tales, copying, and evangelism are
about the only part of the nation that is remotely “Christian.”
We send Bibles overseas. We set up churches every other
block in the city. We donate money to religious
organizations. Our soup kitchens and out-reaches are almost
always religiously-affiliated. Many a daycare is church-
affiliated. We flaunt our religious side in this country, and are
quickly-offended when our religious belief is challenged.
Religion is very dear to a majority of America, be it
Christian, Muslim or Other.
But there is a dark side to this religiosity in America.
Americans are Islamophobic, mostly stemming from our
ignorance of what Muslims believe, their otherness, and the
tragedy of 9/11. Americans are also Zionists, almost seeing
Israel as another territory or state of the U.S.A.
Every President of the United States of America is obliged
since the 1940's to be loyal to this country, and we send a
substantial amount of tax money to this foreign country that
really has nothing to do with the United States besides people
in America calling America a “Christian nation,” and Israel
being seen as the Jewish people's inheritance, proclaimed by
the same Jewish texts: The Old Testament, or the Jewish
Bible. Whether you are for or against Israel, you will
probably agree that the horrors being done with “Jesus' tax
money” against the Palestinians are indescribable and
uncalled for. I feel we should fund them the amount we help
other countries, or not at all. At the very least, we should not
fund their abuses toward other nations. This is joining in their
racism, elitism, and nationalism, instead of the Jesus-like
behavior of peacekeeping and mediation.
Regarding taxes and financial concerns, we must look at the
Gospels to see how Jesus would have felt about capitalism,
government, wealth, and politicians. Jesus, according to most
or all of the Gospel accounts, had no home. He had one guy
in charge of a community purse. He did not work (in a
traditional sense of having a career). He was against the
religious organizations at the time. He was not political, and
only paid taxes once (when cornered). He continuously spoke
in riddles, analogies, and metaphors against nationalism,
politics, gender-roles, and racism. Also, remember Jesus
supposedly took a few fish and loaves of bread (twice) in the
Book of Mark and miraculously and ridiculously multiplied
it to feed 1000's and 1000's of people, for free.
Beyond the Gospels, in the sequel to the Book of Luke, the
Book of Acts mentions something even more astounding: the
members of the new Christian collective “church” were
instructed to sell all that they owned and to bring all of the
money to the Church. When a couple gave only a small
fraction of what they received from their ancient “yard sale,”
they were reportedly struck dead. Are we allowed to keep
property, savings, cars, IRA's, and other possessions in a
Christian nation? Not according to the Christian's New
Testament. Even in the Old Testament, people were allowed
to keep 90%, save for some additional gifts to “God” and
loosening slaves, animals, and servants every few years. But
not in the New Testament; “God” and his community is to
get all of it, and you'll get back an equal portion. Yes, sharing
( communism? ) is the Jesus' way.
Aside from finances, how Christians live is also quite unlike
Jesus. Sure, after 2,000 years, things have changed, but if
Christians claim that they want to live out authentic, ancient
Christianity, then they should also live as Jesus and his
followers supposedly lived. He was without a home, and
traveled with a group of like-minded people, and did things
for others without being asked.
He was without possessions or a home. Christians should
consider this when they wear their gold crosses while driving
their Cadillacs and Lincolns. Their bank accounts should not
reflect that they dwell on earthly treasures, but instead focus
on their riches in Heaven, if there is such a place.
If Heaven and afterlife rewards were truly a conviction, they
would give their bank accounts and homes for a lifestyle of
community and abandonment. The only disciple of Jesus' that
handled money turned out to be a betrayer. Jesus himself said
that entering Heaven is impossible for those with wealth.
Also, when a rich man who kept all of the Law of Moses
approached Jesus about what more he needed to do to get to
Heaven, Jesus said for him to sell all that he had and give it
to the poor. The man went away sad, because he knew, as
most self-professed Christians know, that their security in
worldly things is too great, and most would rather not enter
Heaven than give up their finances.
Banks in this country would not exist, if this were a Christian
nation. The Bible is very specific about not charging interest
when you loan money. That's in the Old Testament, yes, but
even the New Testament says not to even loan anything. If
someone asks for something, you're to give it to them. Even
in a country where people have more than their need, they
would not do this unless told to.
Jesus was also kind and the Bible speaks often of showing
mercy, kindness, and compassion. He was not a fan of the
death penalty. Being supportive of the death penalty, almost
everyone (according to Jewish Law) would be killed. There
are Old Testament laws and regulations on what hair to grow
or show, what hair to shave, when to have sex and with
whom, marriage and divorce laws, what to eat and how to
prepare it, when to go into the Temple and who cannot, what
to do with rebellious children, and the like.
Much of the laws seem tedious, but it's the Bible, and for
Christian literalists, these laws should still stand, as even
their Jesus said that none of the Law is to pass away. If a
Christian is going to point out a verse about homosexuality,
then they have to also look at the verses before and after that
particularly cherry-picked verse. There are verses about
gossiping, judgmental people, rebellious folks, thieves, and
other sorts of small-potatoes ethical crimes. If a Christian
wishes to draw judgment onto another for a sexuality
preference or slavery ownership, then they need to look at
what can be used against them, for the amount of judgment
used by them, will be used against them, per Matthew
Chapter 7.
Paul and Jesus never married, but this seems to be the goal of
every woman, man, boy and girl in this country. Paul
instructs that we should be eunuchs; that is, cutting off our
male parts. Jesus and his disciples, as far as know about the
hear-say testimonies of the Gospels writers. Only if we're
burning with passion and are about to rape someone, we
should wed, per the Bible—as ridiculous as the Bible's
teachings sound. If we look at the marriages in the Old
Testament, we see plural marriage and arranged marriages. If
we want to live a biblical life, why don't we try these silly
ideas out, instead of condemning others in our or other
countries who practice polygamy or child spouses? It's in the
Bible!
The majority of self-professed Christians in America need to
cease calling themselves Christians if they're going to be
non-Christian in their actions, speech and lifestyle. People
say they're Christians all the time, yet abuse the always-saved
doctrine by acting immorally ( immoral, according to their
doctrines and texts). You can see them at the club or the bar
getting blasted. You see them having children out of
wedlock. They divorce on a higher percentage scale than the
non-religious. They use drugs, and abuse their “temple of the
Holy Spirit” with bad diets or smoking. Can one still get into
Heaven by living this way? Some will say yes—just ask for
forgiveness. Some will say no. But no one calls out these
Christian wannabes. If I claim to be a CRIP and dress like
one, and flash gang signs, I will get called out on it, by rival
gangs or the CRIPs themselves; because I am claiming
something without being a part of it, or living it out. Same
with Christians. If one is not Christlike in their manners, then
they need to be called out on it.
To the outsider, America is being called a “Christian nation,”
because Americans keep calling it that, and people from
other countries are believing in what they're hearing. If what
Americans do is supposedly Christian, then we as a nation
look ridiculous to people of other faiths and philosophies in
other countries. It is often said in Christian circles that
individuals “might be the only Bible others will read.” This is
true. Barely anyone in Christian circles—not to mention
outside—has read the complete Bible, so what people know
about the Bible in this country and without is what Christians
say, do, and help others do.
We're collectively the richest country in the world, but we do
not care for our poor. Sure, there are some religious
organizations out there that have a weekly soup kitchen, or
the religiously-connected thrift store that donates a small
percentage of their profits, or the profitable hospital with a
cross on the side of the building, but our tax money doesn't
really try to alleviate the suffering of the poor. Homelessness
is rampant, joblessness is high, children still starve, women
are being evicted, and men aren't getting pensions. If this was
a Christian nation, this would not be tolerated instead of
being defended with condescension, ridicule and blame.
Almost every prophetic book in the Bible addresses caring
for those who cannot care for themselves, and to show mercy
toward them.
The U.S.A. is big on their military spending, more so than
the next 9 or 10 countries' military spending combined. 25-
50% of our Federal taxes go to this military complex in the
name of “Defense,” instead of caring for our own people. If
America was a Christian nation, we wouldn't need a defense
fund. Jesus wasn't for such a thing, and if the Christians' God
were so powerful, they shouldn't have anything to worry
about. But they do worry, because God just might not come
through for them. True Christians would have faith that God
looks out for them, instead of setting up bases in almost
every other country, or doing Crusades or Inquisitions.
But then again, maybe this is how a Christian would look:
militarization. After all, Yahweh sent the Israelites in the
Bible many times into foreign lands to destroy them, burning
their goods, and take the town, sometimes keeping slaves or
girls for themselves or keeping treasures and possessions,
depending on what God supposedly told the prophet or king
at the time. Jesus himself did indeed say he came to bring a
sword. But of course, the Bible isn't clear on this, as it
contradicts itself often.
Not only dos outsiders resent our invading their countries,
they see a “Christian nation” that loves nudity. There's
nothing wrong with sexuality and the nude body, as long no
one is being forced or coerced into something they don't like
or understand. But when we say we're a Christian nation,
they assume—without reading the Bible—that this is what
Christianity is about. Or at the very least, they feel that Jesus
wouldn't promote pornography and extra-marital sexuality,
and see so-called Christians as hypocrites. By looking at our
taste for violence, drug abuse, and sexual assaults (and the
resulting prison overpopulation problem), they detest this,
just as many Americans detest things other religious
countries do. We are anything but “holy” to them.
But when you have Christian leaders that are so outspoken
on an international playing field, it yields a theocratic-
looking country. John Hagee is very pro-Israel and anti-
Islam. Pat Robertson feels that only Christians should be
politicians. The late Jerry Falwell was for an American
theocracy. The shamed Ted Haggard wanted all Americans to
become Evangelical Christians. We also have religious
leaders that continue to stifle citizen's rights, forcing them to
go along to get along.
No, the United States of America is anything but a Christian
nation, because a Christian nation would look nothing like
the country we have today, no matter how many citizens
claim to be “Christian” when a census is done. Many do not
know what being a Christian is, are ignorant of the Bible's
text, and cannot give up their comfortable lifestyles. The
term needs to be dropped from many people's lips, true
Christians need to address these wannabes, or everyone
needs to read their so-called holy book from cover to cover to
learn what it actually teaches. At most, most Americans that
claim Christianity as their religion are deists at best.
The nation was founded as a blended, multicultural, multi-
religious nation, being very careful not to mix outward
Patriotism and inward Religiosity. Religion was private,
though it was public in a corporate setting within the church's
walls. Even Jesus himself said not to pray in public to gain
attention “like the hypocrites,” but do into your closet, close
the door, and speak to him then. Only then will your prayers
be answered.
To those who wish to call America a Christian nation just
because of a percentage game, remember that Christians are
statistically decreasing. There is a growing Muslim
population in America, as well as the non-religious.
Additionally, the Mormon and Scientology numbers are
growing at a respectable rate. If we want to be futurists and
look down the road a little bit—say, a hundred or two-
hundred years—the landscape may be completely different.
Does a theocracy still sound wonderful to you if the majority
of Americans are atheists, or Mormons, or Scientologists?
What if there was a new religion that took off and exceeded
the percentages of Protestants or Catholics? What if the
doctrines and practices changed in your particular religion, to
being what you'd call “heretical?” What if the majority of the