[flacaltenn]

BlueStreak::

I think you've found the justification for a number of things here..

Maybe their religion is declining due to obsolescence or a lack of interest? "Market Forces", if you will?

Substitute "Unions" for "religion" in that statement and you got my opinion also..

I don't buy the "christian nation" part of it. But it was clearly a non-secular founding in the creation of the states. And a belief that man's law was subservient to "natural law"..Good solid LIBERAL ideas like the sovereignty of individuals guaranteed by powers higher than paperwork. Thus the "God" references on Fed buildings and currency that just itch your hide..

I'll fight to keep it secular -- but not to point of cutting that tie-back to "natural law".

Look man.. I moved to the very BUCKLE of the Bible Belt. I'm no bible-thumping, wine sucking churchmouse.. And I moved from the vast emptiness of crystal worshippers and tree-huggers in the Socialist state of California. Notice the Diff? Yeah. Folks are more disciplined in their personal lives. They are not physical or psychological slobs. Have they burned crosses on my lawn? Piled Bibles on my porch? Tried to get into my kids head? No.. Not at all. We chat about it like adults. I show interest in their summer bible schools, and work programs with the poor. We chat about our "mixed marraige". My daughter who I raised as a non-affiliated believer in natural law -- is constantly invited to join in youth group activities. And indeed many of the humongeous churches have the most beautiful teenage coffeehouses and entertainment that you've ever seen. I'm DELIGHTED that she participates.

Politically -- It's a hell of an improvement over California. Much less stress on me personally. And I'll oppose them when they're wrong without any fear of being rejected or social outcasting.

The only major conflicts you really got indicating ANY threat of Theocracy (from Christians at any rate) are Abortion and Gay Rights. There are minor skirmishes about "faith based funding" but those are largely non-partisian. If I'm wrong on this let me know. All of that needs to handled rationally and consistently. Both sides are gonna have to moderate to get to rational and consistent..

But, now we have a bunch of morons running around calling "Christian Nation" and voting for people whom they believe will advance their "Christian Values" but, that America could never become a Theocracy because Christianity is somehow "Different". It's only different here in America because of these words--"The Government shall pass no law regarding an establishment of religion."

Besides the 1st amendment, there is ANOTHER important protection against Theocracy that you should consider... Article VI.3

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.

That is just as important (to me anyway). Because BOTH sides need to ponder this one seriously. Not only does pre-empt a Theocracy, it also disallows that religious affilation should ever be a consideration for office..