OK
wQuay, I see that you are willing to harrass me via PM, but not in public. Very well then, I shall post the contents of the PM.
EDIT: This country was never "based on the Bible", Paine and Hume (on whose philosophies this Republic was based) were both noted atheists/agnostics. The fact that there is a correlation between some Biblical values and traditional American values does not imply causation. Any rational being will see that the so-called "Biblical values" are prudent regardless of a belief in the Christian God or in Christ. A Buddhist or a Hindu would also embrace "Biblical values" even though he would not recognise such values as being Biblical. A virtuous ethical system may be arrived at independantly of a system of faith.
Your post is misleading and relies on statements that you do not bother to prove. Paine was indeed a Founding Father, but you fail to note that he was universally rejected in the colonies after publishing his atheistic humanism. Please provide some evidence that our Republic was based on Hume and Paine to the exclusion of the Bible, and that the philosophy involved is incompatible with Christian principles. Also, please define "a rational being," demonstrate that Biblical ethics are prudent apart from a belief in God, define "virtuous ethical system," and provide a case where a society based on Biblical, "prudent" ethics has come into being without the Bible.
Please show me where I said that the Bible was never considered by our founders. I will be among the first to admit that many founders were quite devout. I simply meant that the Constitution was not based on the Bible
per-se, and that it was not the intent of the founders to create a "Christian Nation". (Else, why would the First Amendment which guarantees freedom of religion, be in such obvious conflict with the first commandment?)
Please show me where I said that the philosophy of our country is incompatible with Christian principles. Had you read my post with proper comprehension you would have noticed that I mentioned that the philosophy of America has a strong correlation with Christian principles.
By "rational being" I mean a being that acts according to the precepts of reason and who acts in the best interests of both himself and humanity as a whole. (Considering, of course, that in the long run a rational being will see that the best interests of humanity as a whole are indeed his own personal best interests.) A "virtuous ethical system" is such a system as would be chosen by a truly rational being.
Such a virtuous ethical system would encompas all but the first four commandments (eg. the four commandments dealing strictly with religion) and would result in a society in which a person respected his neighbors and one in which a person truly did unto others as he would have done to himself. Such actions and vaules would allow for trust among rational beings, faciliting the existance of a society in which the members may band together and thus accomplish more than any one of them could on their own.
As far as countries which embrace such values without the Bible, current examples include Japan and Tibet, while historic examples include Rome (when the Senate was in control, not during the period of the emperors) and Greece.
Unlike some others on this board who are anti-theist, I have great respect for those who have such zeal and who find solace and strength in their faith. However, I take issue when persons deliberately mis-represent my country as being founded as a "Christian Nation". The greatest thing about our Republic is the tolerance of all religions (and tolerance of a lack of a religion) since our founders were wise enough not to elevate one religion above the rest.
ZV
EDIT: Clarification of meaning in the final sentence.
