Can America still be called a "Christian nation"? The answer is both yes and no, depending on what is meant by the phrase. When citizens refer to America as a Christian nation, they do not mean Christianity is an official religion, but that the majority of its citizens hold to a belief in the Christian God. All but one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence (Franklin, a Dieist) were Christians, but that does not make America a Christian nation.
What makes us Christian is the sheer number of our citizens - 78% - who identify themselves as Christian. We are certainly a more religiously diverse society today than during the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries. There are increasing numbers of non-Christians here, including Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Shintoists, Unitarians, Hindus, Wiccans and Naturists. But Christians comprise 78% of the population, while non-Christians are only 6%, and those with no religious affiliation are 16%.
Our constitutional legal system is somewhat based on principles of the Bible, but not on the Koran or any other holy book. We observe Sunday, the Christian Sabbath, and other Christian holidays. The Ten Commandments are still on the walls of several national buildings, including the Supreme Court chambers. Many of our coins have displayed "In God We Trust" since the Civil War, and it's been on our paper money since 1956. We have included "Under God" in our Pledge of Allegiance since 1954. The USA is still firmly fashioned by Judeo-Christian heritage.
Philosopher/historian Alexis de Tocqueville observed in 1831, "There is no country in the world, where the Christian religion retains a greater influence over the souls of men than in America." That is still true today. Though we do not live under a Christian government, we are free to practice our particular religion in accordance with the basic Christian principles which define this nation. In that sense it is proper to say America is a Christian nation.
"In God We Trust" has been used as our national motto in some form since 1863, probably being taken from the final verse of our National Anthem. When we hear leaders say we are not a Christian nation, they are stating an official truth. But when others say America is indeed a Christian nation, they are stating a practical truth. If a majority of its citizens adhere to the Christian religion, then that nation is a Christian nation.
I recently heard a fine song by a group called Diamond Rio entitled, "In God We Still Trust." You can hear it on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiYgpPB1kwU. I believe it's worth your hearing.
May it always be that way in America - "In God We Trust!"
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