We're often told to believe that this nation was founded by and for Christians, and that it remains a nation by and for Christians who would generally prefer it if everyone else would just leave, die or shut the hell up.  We must ignore the writings of our forefathers and the Constitution and Bill of Rights in order to believe it, but that seems to be beside the point.  Most people have never read that stuff anyway, so they simply don't know any better.  They just believe what they're told by whomever they happen to like.

     Usually we're told that this is a Christian nation in concert with assertions or innuendo that if you're not a Christian, you don't belong here or that you're not a full citizen in some respect.  As an example, while he was the Vice President, George Bush Sr. said, "No, I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered as patriots. This is one nation under God."  Is that clear enough for everyone?

     Where does the idea that we're a "Christian nation" come from?  The Constitution doesn't declare it.  The Bill of Rights doesn't declare it.  None of our U.S. Legislative Acts declare it.  The Treaty of Tripoli declared just the opposite: "The Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded upon the Christian religion."

     It's apparent that we don't have a Christian government.  But, certainly the majority of U.S. citizens are Christians of one of it's 2000 sects or denominations, or at least claim to be.  So, we're a nation of, predominantly, Christian citizens.  And in that respect, I'd agree that we live in a predominantly Christian nation.  But a cut and dried "Christian Nation" in exclusion of all other religions?  Hmmm... Let's try something...

     If that's the case, then by reason of the fact that we are also predominantly white, this must be a "White Nation", by and for white people.  Non-whites shouldn't be considered citizens, nor should they be considered patriots, since this is a nation founded by white people.  Everybody OK with that?  No?  Why not?  

     You know why not.  Because it's inherently wrong to assert that just because most Americans are white, this is truly a white nation, with all that would infer.  That's why the only people that claim such nonsense are bigoted groups like the KKK (who, incidentally, also claim this is a Christian Nation - more bigotry).  For the exact same reasons that it's wrong to declare that America is a white nation, it's wrong to say this is a Christian nation.  It's a divisive statement that tends to exclude and deride a large portion of our citizenry.  How large a portion?

     Right this minute, some 30 MILLION Americans - U.S. Citizens - are non Christians, and that number is rising.  They are atheists, agnostics, humanists, Hindus, Buddhists, etc.  They do not believe there is one god.  They do not trust in that one god.  They do not pledge allegiance to that one god.  And by LAW, they are not required to do so in order to be recognized as full American Citizens of the United States.  They have the RIGHT, by LAW of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights to believe any way they want regarding religion, regardless of George Bush's bigoted views in the matter.

     In no way are they less worthy of their citizenship, nor less patriotic for their personal views regarding religion.  They have served in our military, fought for our country in wars, served us in government and shown their patriotism and devotion to our country time and again.  Article VI of the Constitution makes it clear that any of them can hold any public office or trust in the United States, including the Presidency itself, regardless of their religious views or beliefs.  

     George Bush Sr.'s statement is a slap in the face to those 30 million American citizens.  They are entitled to full equality and citizenship under the law of our great country's Constitution and Bill of Rights, regardless of the hostile, bigoted views of Bush and those like him.

     Not long ago there was a group of American citizens that numbered less than 30 million who were oppressed by the same kind of bigoted rhetoric, hatred and behavior.  In 1960 there were just 18.4 million African-American citizens of the United States.  Four years later, sweeping civil rights laws were enacted to address the problem of racial bigotry.  What will it take to address the problem of religious bigotry in this country that affects nearly twice as many American citizens than racial bigotry did?

     Suppose Bush Sr. said, "No, I don't know that BLACKS should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered as patriots.  This is a nation founded by white men."  Most Americans would consider that to be a wrong and divisive statement, even though most are just as white as Bush.  

     Yet those same Americans who claim to be FOR equality for ALL the people are willing to set aside those basic humanitarian convictions and principles when it comes to the freedom of religion guaranteed in the Constitution and Bill of Rights that are the Supreme Law of our land.  They are willing to dispense with the basic human right of freedom of conscience, and subject 30 million American citizens to an oppressive, bigoted view that they are not worthy of citizenship or equality in this "Christian Nation".

     Our ancestors came here to escape the tyranny of "Christian Nations" throughout Europe.  They were nations of laws based on the Christian religion, where religious freedom did not exist; where torture was meted out for blasphemy and other biblical crimes; where women were subservient to men in all matters per the bible; where the Church had the final say in matters of government, law and punishment; where kings were the embodiment of God on Earth, doing His will.

     Nations based on religions have never been free.  They are full of tyrants and fanatical extremists enthusiastic about upholding their idea of religious right and wrong with swords, bullets and torture devices.  Look no further than the Middle East to see nations based on religions and what it means to live in them.  The World Trade Center and some 3000 people are a pile of dust because of religious views supported by tyrannical governments.  

     They all talk and preach of love, charity, brotherhood and forgiveness, but Christians, Jews, Muslims and Hindus have been killing each other incessantly for all of recorded history in the name of their religions.  Thousands of years of torture and bloodshed, death and destruction are the legacy of religious nations and policies.  And we wish to associate ourselves with that endless murderous rampage as a "Christian Nation"?  We insist on carrying on the tradition of choosing a side in a religious battle that has scoured the planet for all of recorded human history?  

     Tell me again why we were attacked by the Muslim fanatics?  Because we're "infidels"; a people that do not embrace their religion.  That was easy for them to discern: We declare ourselves to be a "Christian Nation" right?  That's all the reason they needed.  It's not because we're "free" the way Bush spins it.  That's absurd!  "Let's kill them because they're free!"  Yeah, right.  How stupid is that?  It's because we're free to choose religions other than theirs, and have.

     The reasons are wholly religious in nature, and they've made that undeniably clear to us that they are waging jihad (holy war), against the United States.  Oh, maybe you say it's because we support their enemy economically or militarily.  Well, WHY is that their enemy in the first place?  Religion AGAIN!  It always boils down to religion.  If it weren't for religion, they could all live together in peace, couldn't they?  What else have they got to fight about?

     Hitler's Germany was a "Christian Nation" too.  In his brief period of time, Christians with "God is with us" on their belt buckles exterminated 6 million Jews in God's name.  Sure, there were political motivations for Hitler's war overall.  He was grabbing land and trying to take control from everyone, regardless of religion.  But why exterminate Jews?  What's the difference between a Jew and a non-Jew?  Religion.  

     Christians refuse to recognize the facts, but in "Mein Kampf", Hitler made it entirely clear that his oppression and genocide of Jews were based on his beliefs as a Christian.  In the Bible, God instructs nations of people to slaughter other nations of people in much the same way Hitler did, even going so far as to instruct them to rip open the bellies of pregnant women, sparing none.  Onward Christian soldiers...

     What does "Christian Nation" mean to me?  It means I live in a country populated predominantly by bigots like George Bush who look forward to trampling the rights of 30 million citizens simply because they do not share in his Christian religion with him.  Contrary to the intent of religious freedom and the rights of free conscience laws enacted by our forefathers to protect those rights and freedoms for ALL, it means I live in a country populated by a people that SAY they believe in religious freedom for all AND at the same time they want all non-Christians to leave the country, die or just shut the hell up.

     I've noticed that most Christians I've talked to SAY they don't believe in any of that stuff.  They don't believe in trampling others' rights and freedoms or discriminating against others over religion.  They believe in love and brotherhood and tolerance.  They believe in TRUE freedom of religion for ALL.  They don't have anything against Jews or Muslims or Buddhists or anyone else.  Live and let live.  Let God deal with them.

     To them, I say this: Speak up and be heard!  By staying silent while fanatics like Bush and Falwell and Robertson and Ashcroft have their way with the American people and the rest of the world, you are HELPING THEM.  If you REALLY don't buy into their horse-pucky, then SAY SO, instead of just going along with it all the time.  Your Congressman has an email address for a reason.  Use it.  The President has an email address for a reason.   Use it.  Voice your opinion.  Be heard.

     Do your part to make this nation a shining star of TRUE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, not just another in a loooooooong history of "Christian Nations", "Jewish Nations", "Muslim Nations" and "Hindu Nations" all slitting each other's throats in the name of God's love.