Yet more fodder for the debate. Michael Gerson writes a great column on the myth of this nation being founded as a “Christian” nation. I say myth not because I’m an atheist, obviously. Nor is it my wish to give aid and comfort to organizations like “Americans United for Separation of Church and State.” I say myth simply because of the history of our nation. Gerson elaborates this point well, so please read his column.

I do take Gerson to task for one point, however. He invokes Jefferson’s very famous phrase of “separation of church and state” and then misuses it. He says the Constitution requires “separation of church and state” at an institutional level. This is simply misreading the Constitution and using Jefferson’s statement as case law.

The amendment says this:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

There is no case to be made for “separation” as most liberals would define that today. The point of the amendment, and Jefferson’s point in his letter to the Danbury Baptists, is that the United States government cannot establish a national denomination. It does NOT mean Christians can’t have a voice in government! It does NOT mean Christians must remain silent on political issues (on their own personal time, not from church pulpits).

As to Gerson’s assertion that our founding fathers didn’t make this a Christian nation, I agree. They used Judeo-Christian values and leaned heavily on the Law of Moses and so many other sources. We have those values bred into the fiber of our nation. That does not, by default, make us a Christian nation. I pray it never does, quite frankly. If you wonder why I would make such a brazen statement, I would ask you to thoughtfully study European history, especially from the Reformation on. Then, get back to me. Our founding fathers were not interested in the violent sectarianism of Europe that was based on theological positions. They wanted freedom to worship in the manner each person chose according to their conscience, and to do so without threat of losing their life.

This is what Jefferson referred to in addressing the situation with the Danbury Baptists. It was not some permanent “separation” where Christians would not have any voice in their government or culture. We have the right to believe and express that belief.

But, let us please more historically honest as Christians as to the founding of this nation. I love our heritage. I love our nation’s dedication to freedom of worship. Let’s not cloud it up.