Have you ever been in a conversation and heard someone say that America is a“Christian country”? This statement seems to be surfacing frequently in political conversation in recent years. Without a doubt, it is a controversial statement, but whether it is true brings further questioning. While it is known we have no national religion, the roots of the idea that America is a Christian country mainly take note of the historical components leading to America’s founding. Nevertheless, this idea and the results of the debate surrounding it have the potential to redefine American politics. Hence, the public should be educated on the context of it and the events that have happened as a consequence.

The overwhelming debate on Christianity as a founding religion contains validity. There are four core uses of potentially religious language in the founding documents: “Nature’s God,” “Creator,” “Supreme Judge of the World” and “Divine Providence.” There is disagreement as to whether these terms refer to the Christian God. This is because these words indicate a God, but they do not specifically evangelize the public to comply with Christianity. 

However, advocates for Christianity as the religion of the United States often point instead to other, decentralized themes like the inscription of a bible verse on the Liberty Bell. They argue that many, if not most, of the early Americans were Puritans, reasoning from this that the actual building of America stood on Christian values. While advocates for a secular America point to Christianity as a detached component of early America, arguing that the Founding Fathers intended for it to be an afterthought, Christians often argue that America is only prosperous due to Christian morals and establishments.

So, what can be made of this? Since the debate is still open and unresolved, Christianity cannot be considered a governmentally fundamental religion. However, it is undeniably present within early American culture, especially that which is preserved in the South. This means Christianity should still be respected for the parts of the country built upon it, without preventing others who do not practice it from living in their own way. This is the best resolution, as it allows for others to practice their faiths, but acknowledges Christianity’s provisions to American growth. 

But this is not the case within much of America today. Secularists often offensively present the belief within public society that Christians should be less public in their practice of the faith. For example, in 2022, a school teacher lost his job for praying on the 50-yard line after every football game 

What is even more compelling is that the case had to be brought as far as the Supreme Court, demonstrating how pivotal and representative this event was of the overall debate amongst the public on Christian practices. We should more often think back to Christianity’s involvement in early grassroots cultures within America, instead of resulting in the flawed idea that a secular constitution should equal a secular society. This is why understanding the debate on whether America is a “Christian country” is important for anyone who participates politically in the United States.