Hello:)

I would like to point out that during the revolution, George Washington(among other founders) entreated preachers of the Gospel for supplies, to preach in behalf of the revolution and to rustle up recruits. These weren't 5000 member church preachers living in the lap of luxury. (comparatively, the poorest of Americans live in that lap today) Many were circuit riders, and several were prominent blacks.

Herring405 - I think we need to make a firm distinction between what we mean by "a Christian nation" and "a nation that has a lot of Christians in it." 

You are absolutely correct. Christians especially need to our facts straight about this subject. The last couple of years study have disabused me of a great deal of American mythology.

For instance, your distinction, is America a Christian nation or populated predominantly by Christians. In fact, Constitutionally speaking we are not a Christian nation. And in fact, following the Constitution of the Republic of Vermont, the Constitution of the United States of America was only the second, SECULAR government the world had known(to my knowledge). That was the revolutionary outcome of our Constitutional Convention, a secular constitution.

And although Christian preachers such as John Leland had an immense influence in bringing about the Bill of Rights, they specifically were not seeking a theocratic government. Revolutionary era recent history, which we Christians have effectively forgotten, illustrated the wisdom of the 18th century definition of separation of Church and State in the 1st Amendment reading; preachers of the day didn't want government establishing religion(of any kind).

Herring405 - I do not want my kids growing up in a theocratic state.

Nor did the preachers of John Leland's day. Nor do I, but in fact the state does instill what might be defined as a polytheistic gaiacentric secularism.

I believe preachers should speak to their congregants about issues of the day, it is part of their duty as shepard of their flock. But! most made a fatal mistake when they accepted favor from the state in the form of the IRS Code Section 501(c)(3): non profit status. It's a 20th development that has subverted a preachers ability to preach the truth, unless it happens to be acceptable to the state(another critical distinction).

That's what the Montesquieu quote is really about, how to most effectively subvert the body of faith.

Anyhow, in the beginning, people of faith were instrumental in bringing this secular government into existence. If we Christians hadn't forgotten history and most especially, our first love, America today might still be a Christian culture.

Have you ever thought how much in America is illegal for want of buying a government permit?

respects

reference: “A more certain way to attack religion is by favor, by the comforts of life, by the hope of wealth; not by what reminds one of it, but by what makes one forget it; not by what makes one indignant, but by what makes men lukewarm, when other passions act on our souls, and those which religion inspires are silent. In the matter of changing religion, State favors are stronger than penalties.” - The Spirit of the Laws, Baron de Montesquieu (1748)

Joh 18:36* Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.