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America is not now, and never was, a legally 'Christian' nation page 2

Date published: 2/13/2003

The Constitution is a secular document, and contains no mention of "God" or "Christianity," the only references to religion being exclusionary, such as "No religious test" of Article VI and "no law" of the First Amendment. The only oath detailed in the Constitution, the presidential oath in Article II, Section 1, Clause 8, does not contain the phrase "so help me God," nor any requirement to swear on a Bible. If we're a Christian nation, why does Article IV, Section 4, of the Constitution call us a "Republic" instead?

When asked about the First Amendment by the Danbury Baptists, Jefferson said "the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions." Religious views are just that: personal opinions. Government has no right to either promulgate or interfere with anyone's private beliefs. It's not only un-American for our government to promote Christianity or any other religion, it's rude. It's always offensive to someone when a public official uses his office to promote his favorite personal beliefs.

Our nation signed a treaty with Tripoli that states "the government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion." Under Article VI, Clause 2, a treaty is part of the Constitution, and thus constitutional law. This treaty was written during Washington's administration, approved by the Senate under President John Adams, and signed into law in 1797. So the law explicitly states that we are not a Christian nation.

Calling America a "Christian" nation based on Christianity's being the majority faith similarly avoids reason: The Bill of Rights amended the Constitution to uphold individual and minority rights. The majority has no right to force its beliefs on the minority in matters of race, gender, or religion. On constitutionally protected matters there is no majority rule. So America not only isn't a Christian theocracy, it isn't even a democracy: It's a constitutional bicameral federal republic.

As to interpretation, the Constitution was written in plain English--not Japanese, not Portuguese, not even legalese, which hadn't yet been invented by Machiavellian lawyer-politicians until the 20th century. Its plain English needs no "interpretation," since it means exactly what it says, no more and no less.

In contrast to Whitley's unschooled opinion, the Rev. Jeffery Jones' comment, which also appeared in The Free Lance-Star on Jan. 31, provided us a well-thought-out response to Justice Scalia's inconsiderate statements. Thank you, Rev. Jones, for speaking out in favor of our rights, religious tolerance, and reason.

RUSSELL BEHNE is a Stafford County nurseryman and deist.

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Date published: 2/13/2003