@Yellowdog I think the point is the founding Christians, Protestants, were fleeing religious oppression and created a country that was supposed to let each individual practice their religion freely. Because of the Spanish Armada, Trade, and some other details in history, the English settled in our country, and some Dutch, and a few others, and was one of the primary influences in our creation. If not for that, we would have been more dominantly settled by the Spanish Catholics, and the US would have likely been more like Latin America—speaking Spanish and controlled by the church.
The Protestants created something fairly unique and special when they created America, and now, they are trying to turn it into a country governed by religion in the name of God so to speak. They are destroying the very thing they created in a way. If we allow religion to dictate government policy, then if another religion gains power you have set precedent to let them do the same. We can and should consider ethical questions, which overlaps with religion very often, but not use our biggest reference as the Bible I would argue, although we can allow religious scholars at the table, but mostly we should rely on our experience, our scientific knowledge, our conscience, the golden rule, affects on society, and even our simple feelings of right and wrong.
I give credit to the Christian founders, but they do not represent what the religion is or should be in the country, they represent religious and individual freedom. I’m very grateful to have been born in this country, which includes acknowledging a Christian influence.
One thing to remember though, is the people in the beginnings of our country sometimes did not apply their great ideas and ideals to everyone, and that is a black mark. Slavery, burning witches at the stake, there are other examples. One man I met said to me, “it’s like there was divine intervention in the wording of our Constitution and then the people still screwed up carrying it out sometimes.”
It’s very tricky really, I understand that. If the law prevents me from practicing my religion then it’s not in the spirit of America, but if my religion harms others then the law trumps religion in my opinion. I get that many Christians feel abortion is harming another.