Is the United States a Christian Nation or a Calvinist Nation?

[MineralMan]

That depends on how much you know about the difference and which party is in power. It's worth a look and some investigation. Really. The original settlers of the country were Calvinists. You'll be surprised to learn how much Calvinism has shaped this country, its politics, its economics and its social structures. Really. You can start learning about all that at this link:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvinism

But that's just a start. Follow the links you find there and you'll learn more.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. It's a secular nation - at least in principle. The Founding Fathers were deists

and were very resistant to religious influences on the government - having been well-acquainted with what had happened in England not too long ago. However, many (maybe most) of the immigrants and settlers in the 19th Century belonged to Calvinist religious denominations - so of course that influence was considerable, not so much at the federal level, but very much so in many states, especially in the South.

[MineralMan]

3. Yes. In principle. Those principles are in deep danger, though.

We're seeing that develop right now. It's something that has been a goal of some for a very, very long time.

When the U.S. was founded, one of the deep concerns was that the major denominations of Christianity would dominate. That was of great concern to Calvinists, who were decidedly in the minority in the Western World. Roman Catholicism was the largest threat, but the Church of England was a threat as well.

So, freedom to worship and prohibition of a state religion were important goals that could be accepted both by deists and Calvinists, alike. A secular state that allowed freedom of religious expression was just what was needed, and so that's what was written.

As we've seen, however, the Calvinists and their extreme branches look at it from a somewhat different perspective these days. The Reconstructionists and Dominionists would very much like to become the state religion, and are advancing in that direction. We need to be very watchful and try very hard to prevent that from occurring.

[guillaumeb]

2. Yes, it is both.

And it is a Jewish nation, and a Muslim nation, and a non-theistic nation, and a Pastafarian nation, and a multitude of other nations.

And that variety angers some people, mainly conservatives, who wish for their preferred, if imaginary, nation and past.

[MineralMan]

4. Simplistic and Unrealistic, there, Guy...

It appears that you may not be paying attention for some reason.

[guillaumeb]

5. Feel free to enlighten.

Or not.

[MineralMan]

6. Go read my link and follow a few of the links you find there.

Then return and tell me what you found. You can enlighten yourself, Guy. That's not my job or responsibility. Do as you wish.

[guillaumeb]

7. Another formulaic response.

But if the result of all of this is to determine that Calvinists, like many other religions, had an influence in the US, congratulations on your discovery.

[MineralMan]

8. I think the word you use means something different that you think it means.

However, it is not a requirement that you read and learn. That's up to you.

[MineralMan]

13. You do not seem to me to be a serious person.

I think I shall not engage with you any further. You speak without understanding and do not seek to educate yourself.

Good day, Sir.

[guillaumeb]

15. Again, you demonstrate your nature.

While claiming to engage in dialogue.

[MineralMan]

16. Of course. If I were not, I'd be a liar.

I am exactly what I appear to be in my writings.

[guillaumeb]

17. We are all reflected in our actions.

But, in my opinion, what I see reflected in this group at DU is a general spirit of condescension, and mockery, and anger, on the part of some self-described non-theists.

I also see a double standard in many of the comments, and a tendency to exhibit the exact same type of behaviors that are criticized when it is exhibited by theists.

But, as I have also said, we are all human, so this is no real surprise. Intolerance, one aspect of tribalism, is a group survival mechanism.

[MineralMan]

18. Indeed. And like a reflection in a mirror, we cannot see ourselves

The same as others see us. We see a reversed image, with right and left switched.

[guillaumeb]

19. Agreed. eom

[TreasonousBastard]

9. I had a book written bt a rabbi outlining how the original settlers...

were overwhelmingly Calvinist and their views of predestination and the elect largely formed the ethos of the new nation.

From Wikipedia:

Most settlers in the American Mid-Atlantic and New England were Calvinists, including the English Puritans, the French Huguenots and Dutch settlers of New Amsterdam (New York), and the Scotch-Irish Presbyterians of the Appalachian back country. Nonconforming Protestants, Puritans, Separatists, Independents, English religious groups coming out of the English Civil War, and other English dissenters not satisfied with the degree to which the Church of England had been reformed, held overwhelmingly Reformed views. They are often cited among the primary founders of the United States of America. Dutch Calvinist settlers were also the first successful European colonizers of South Africa, beginning in the 17th century, who became known as Boers or Afrikaners.

Even though Jefferson and a few others hid behind the term "deist", in those days you dared not be even agnostic, and atheism landed you outside of civilized society.

[MineralMan]

10. Yes. Indeed.

Calvinism is a thread that extends to the earliest times in what is now the United States. It influenced the formation of our government, our literature, and much much more.

The "Christian Right" is Calvinist in its philosophies and appears to be on an ascendant path. We can still stop it, but we'll have to get to work.

[blondebanshee]

11. The Republican Party/Faith should be described as "American Calvinism"

"He who has the most toys, wins".

[MineralMan]

12. It is certainly dominated by Calvinism right now.

They think they are among the "elect." The trouble is that they're actually getting elected. They've waited a long time for this, and are not going to go away quietly.

That they have the "most toys" proves to them that they are right and are favored by God. That makes them terribly dangerous.

[blondebanshee]

14. Indeed! Republican policy no longer represents the teachings of Jesus.

The GOP favors the rich and ignores the poor, disadvantaged, sick, elderly, long-term unemployed, and other unfortunates. Republicans may be religious, but they’re not Christians.