Christian Country?

I've been hearing a good bit of noise lately that the founding fathers did not intend to create a country that separates church and state. I have heard a good bit of chatter that this country is supposed to be founded on Christian principles and therefore, it is a Christian country.

I am not a historian and I don't try to act like I am one. Therefore, one can throw a good bit of historical reference at me but it will mean very little.

Let me explain why.

Regardless of whether the founding fathers meant to create a country with a government absent of a prescribed religion or not, I believe it should have. I am under the impression from my grade school history books and most conservatives that this country is based on the freedom of it's citizens and our rights to free speech and whatever religion we choose to subscribe to in our personal lives among other basic rights.

I lost count of the times I hear that our soldiers are dying to protect this great country and the freedoms we have. This is what separates us from the other countries around the world. This is what makes our country great.

By no means to I mean to make this sound like some sort of mockery of that statement. I love the patriotism that so many citizens feel. I take pride in being an American and having the luxury to speak my mind without being punished. While I would never burn our flag, I am proud that people have the right to do so without being burned themselves. I think this creates a good bit of turmoil but it also lead to progress.

Therefore, I believe that the separation of Church and State is required and necessary. I don't care if the founding fathers meant it to be or not. I don't care if the Constitution actually dictates that it should exist or not.

I feel it should be.

I don't want this country to be a "Christian" country. I don't want it to be any religion.

I have no problem with Christianity, nor do I mean to make it sound as though I do. But I want a government with no influence from any religion whatsoever if it is going to serve all people like it seems to state it is to do.

I have a serious issue with people who keep trying to shove Christianity down my throat as an American religion. I shouldn't have to justify my lack of belief in God, Jesus, Mohamed, Buddha or any particular religion or belief system.

I am openly supportive of gay rights. I believe it is part of the civil rights movement that hasn't found closure. When I come across people who believe marriage should be only between a man and a woman, I repeatedly hear, "Why can't you allow me to believe this principle? Why do you have to shove your belief down my throat? Can't you just respect my opinion?"

Ok. Well I am asking the same thing here. If you want me to respect your opinion regarding gay marriage, why can't you respect mine regarding no religion in government?

I think many of us have a hard time realizing there are morals and ethics that exist outside of religion. We feel as though religion dictates good and bad. But I have come across countless people and examples of secular rights and wrong. We all have.

We really don't need religion to create fair laws. We don't.

This is not to say we should be absent of a higher power of God. But if we truly want to have a government that is to serve all people, it should not be defined by one particular theology.

So whether the Constitution says so or not, I don't care, our government should NOT be a Christian government. I should be free to practice whatever spiritual theology I choose (or lack thereof) and I should not be restricted by any one religion either.

I bet you Thomas Jefferson would agree...

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof" (Proposed 9/25/1789; Ratified 12/15/1791)