- Moderator
- #81
There is no denying that Christian principles were key to the establishment of this nation as a free people. But we aren't the same people that our forefathers were. In some ways, we are better. In others, we are worse.
The question is are we now a Christian nation? While a majority of the nation is Christian, I would argue that as Christians we are fairly dismal. A majority of self proclaimed Christians have never studied the scriptures, let alone made an effort to live them. I've actually had some argue that attempting the live the principles of the scriptures is blasphemy because it somehow denies the need for Christ to apply his counsels in our life. Some self proclaimed Christians deny the resurrection.
Now some might proclaim "well they aren't real Christians". There may be some truth to that. But how can we count them as part of the Christian population to suppor the notion that this is a Christian nation and then say they aren't real Christians when it's convenient?
A Christian is a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. If making this a Christian nation is important to us, then what we need to do is forget trying to pass laws and force people to follow the precepts of the Gospel. We need to live the precepts ourselves and persuade others to do so with longsuffering, kindness, brotherly love, truth, etc. If we are going to win the "culture war", we need to change the culture, not the laws. And we do that by accepting the Atonement in our lives and actively repenting of ours sins. We need to identify what is keeping us from better unity with God, and work to eliminate that in our lives or improve the things that will keep us closer to Him.
Problem is these things that we need to do are the simple and small things. And people don't want to do these things. They want to great things. But it's the small and simple things that bring great things to pass. It's the small changes in the individual that will change the nations.
The question is are we now a Christian nation? While a majority of the nation is Christian, I would argue that as Christians we are fairly dismal. A majority of self proclaimed Christians have never studied the scriptures, let alone made an effort to live them. I've actually had some argue that attempting the live the principles of the scriptures is blasphemy because it somehow denies the need for Christ to apply his counsels in our life. Some self proclaimed Christians deny the resurrection.
Now some might proclaim "well they aren't real Christians". There may be some truth to that. But how can we count them as part of the Christian population to suppor the notion that this is a Christian nation and then say they aren't real Christians when it's convenient?
A Christian is a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. If making this a Christian nation is important to us, then what we need to do is forget trying to pass laws and force people to follow the precepts of the Gospel. We need to live the precepts ourselves and persuade others to do so with longsuffering, kindness, brotherly love, truth, etc. If we are going to win the "culture war", we need to change the culture, not the laws. And we do that by accepting the Atonement in our lives and actively repenting of ours sins. We need to identify what is keeping us from better unity with God, and work to eliminate that in our lives or improve the things that will keep us closer to Him.
Problem is these things that we need to do are the simple and small things. And people don't want to do these things. They want to great things. But it's the small and simple things that bring great things to pass. It's the small changes in the individual that will change the nations.
