Often Repeated Lies Are Still Lies

I am increasingly disappointed by the continued use of religion to explain what is allegedly wrong with the United States of America. The continued frequent and loud proclamations that these United States were founded as a Christian nation. Bound to and by Christian religious doctrine. The following quote might shed some light on the subject.

"Because religious belief, or non-belief, is such an important part of every person's life, freedom of religion affects every individual. Religious institutions that use government power to support themselves and force their views on persons of other faiths undermine all our civil rights. Moreover, state support of the church tends to make the clergy unresponsive to the people and leads to corruption within religion. Erecting the wall of separation between church and state, therefore, is absolutely essential in a free society. We have solved...the great and interesting question of whether freedom of religion is compatible with order in government and obedience to the laws. And we have experienced the quiet as well as the comfort which results from leaving every one to profess freely and openly those principles of religion which are the inductions of his own reason and serious convictions of his own inquiries."
Thomas Jefferson
speech to Virginia Baptists in 1808

Daniel Webster in the picture above states that "If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible." The thing that I struggle with is determining when exactly we (the United States of America) actually abided by the principles taught in the Bible. Our history is full of conflict with the indigenous peoples who occupied this continent before the invasion and resettlement by Europeans. Many believed we had a Manifest Destiny. This belief had three basic themes. First, the special virtues of the American people and their institutions. Second, it was America's mission to redeem and remake the west in the image of agrarian America. Third, an irresistible destiny to accomplish this essential duty. So we entered into treaty agreements with the indigenous people of this continent. Agreements which we consistently disregarded when we found them inconvenient. We slaughtered them by the millions. Killed their women and children. Used biological warfare against them by giving them blankets we knew carried the smallpox virus. I cannot reconcile the Christian tenant that we should love our neighbor with what we did to these neighbors of ours. It seems to me at best we pick and choose the "Christian principles" we want to take from the Bible and force on others. It continues to this day. Loving our neighbor does not mean assisting those in need with food, clothing, shelter and medical care. They are lazy leeches deserving of our contempt according to many in modern American. They want to continue to claim this is a "Christian' nation while denying basic needs to millions of their fellow men.

 Is it love when we allow our neighbors to go hungry? Without adequate housing? Without medical care? There always seems to be enough money for another war. Another bomb. Another bullet or tank, or cannon.

 We allow ourselves to be divided worrying that someone is getting something they shouldn't. So if a few game the system we must punish everyone who utilizes the benefits. It seems odd that a businessman who works all the angles, takes advantage of government programs to grow his business and takes every opportunity to lower his tax payments is considered a good person. Someone down on their luck, who has lost their job and applies for government benefits is seen as a lazy moocher. It is wrong and unfair.

We don't have to be a "Christian" or a Christian nation to be kind to each other. The truth is we never were a Christian nation and our founders never intended us to be one. America is not and never has been "exceptional". We are not destined by god to be the rulers of the world. If we want to lead it cannot be by force. It must be by example. We have a long road to walk to become what we should be. It begins when we work together for our mutual benefit. When we stop concentrating on what makes us different and start recognizing what binds us together. It seems to be a lesson we are unwilling to learn.