Let’s take a look at our republic and the representative government we have, both in its beginnings and now. While most people would contend that the United States was founded on Christian principles, and some would even say that it was founded as a Christian nation, we do know that freedom of religion was a primary element of our nation’s founding.
I recently read the platform of a political party that advocates the U.S. being (or becoming) a specifically Christian nation. They still would allow and welcome others of different religions, keeping the freedom of religion element, but the government itself would be Christian, following Biblical principles, and all that. I think they believe that’s how our nation started and where we need to return to.
Then there’s the other side of the fence. A truly representative government means what? That everyone has a say in who the leaders are? Or is it more quota-like, where the percentages of society should be represented in government?
People tend to extrapolate various elements of the population onto such things as the workforce or percentages of company presidents and say that’s how it should be. If, say, 30% of a city’s population is black, then they feel that 30% of the presidents of the city’s businesses should be black. Same goes for gender. Does a representative government require that level of representation if it is to truly represent the people?
If that’s the case, does religion enter into it? If 20% of the U.S. is Muslim, does that mean that 20% of our governors or senators should be Muslim? Or is it just that whoever’s there has to speak for the people they represent?
There have been lots of debates about prayer at the beginnings of governmental meetings. Can Jesus Christ be mentioned? Christians generally say YES! And that it’s not just “can” but “should.” And yet we’ve become a very pluralistic society, with all kinds of religions being embraced by our people. Is there a place for compulsory prayer AT ALL in civic affairs? How can you force everyone to participate in (or at least endure) a prayer that is counter to their beliefs?
Christians, if the United States were 75% Islamic and only 10% Christian, how would YOU feel about Islamic prayers being offered at civic events? Most would probably cry out that it’s wrong because it’s not what they believe in and, if there’s truly freedom of religion, it should be more open.
Whether or not the U.S. began as a Christian nation, it certainly is not one now. Over the last 200 years we’ve welcomed people of all faiths, backgrounds, and nationalities. Since religion has not been part of government, the country’s been increasingly secularized as has the society. People can believe whatever they want and the government cannot force any belief system on them. So maybe, in that way, we don’t represent the people.
I’m not advocating any particular position here. I’m just raising some questions that I hope will make you think. Maybe even generate some feedback in the form of comments on this post.
Behind the Gardens-Behind the Wall-Under the Tree, by Andreas Vollenweider
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