Religion in America
Religion in America | America Was Not Founded on Christian Principles
Mark Weldon Whitten is a college philosophy and religion instructor. In the following viewpoint, he refutes the argument that the United States was founded as a Christian nation. Whitten examines historical evidence, including the text of the Constitution, and concludes that the nation’s founders intended to establish a national government based on the principle that church and state should be wholly separate.
As you read, consider the following questions:
1. What arguments does Whitten make to explain the absence of the words “separation of church and state” in...
[The entire page is 1342 words long]
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- Introduction
-
Is America a Religious Nation?
- Chapter 1 Preface
- America Was Founded on Christian Principles
- America Was Not Founded on Christian Principles
- Americans Are a Religious People
- Americans Are Turning Away from Organized Religion
- Elements of American Society Are Hostile to Religious Believers
- American Society Is Hostile to Religious Nonbelievers
- Periodical Bibliography
-
Can Religion Solve America’s Social Problems?
- Chapter 2 Preface
- Religion Can Solve America’s Social Problems
- Religion May Not Solve America’s Social Problems
- Religious Organizations Can Help Solve Social Problems
- Religious Organizations Cannot Solve Social Problems
- The Government Should Fund Faith-Based Social Services
- The Government Should Not Fund Faith-Based Social Services
- Periodical Bibliography
-
What Should Be Done to Accommodate Religious Freedom in America?
- Chapter 3 Preface
- The U.S. Constitution Should Be Amended to Protect Religious Liberty
- The U.S. Constitution Already Protects Religious Liberty
- Special Legal Protections Are Necessary to Ensure Religious Freedom
- Special Legal Protections Are Not the Best Way to Ensure Religious Freedom
- Parents Must Provide Necessary Medical Treatment for Children Regardless of Religious Belief
- Parents Who Withhold Children’s Medical Treatment Because of Religious Beliefs Should Not Be Punished
- The American Military Should Stop Sanctioning the Wicca Religion
- The American Military Should Not Ban the Wicca Religion
- Periodical Bibliography
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What Role Should Religion Play in America’s Public Schools?
- Chapter 4 Preface
- Public Schools Should Include More Religion in the Curriculum
- Public Schools Should Not Include More Religion in the Curriculum
- School Prayers Are Unfair to Students
- Restrictions on School Prayer Are Unfair to Students
- Schools Should Post the Ten Commandments to Teach Morality
- Schools Should Not Post the Ten Commandments to Teach Morality
- Organizations to Contact
- Bibliography
- Copyright
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