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GOP Rep Declares US a Christian Nation, Calls on Americans to "Stand Up" and "Worship Christ"

Posted by Satyam Khanna, Think Progress at 2:09 PM on December 12, 2007.


Rep. King isn't alone. McCain and Huckabee both have declared that America is a Christian nation.
Rep. King Decries ‘Assault On Christmas,’ Calls On Americans To ‘Stand Up’ And ‘Worship Christ’

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Rep. Steve King recently (R-IA) introduced legislation recognizing the "importance of Christmas and the Christian faith," despite previously opposing resolutions recognizing the Muslim celebration of Ramadan and the Hindu Diwali.

A spokesman for King told ThinkProgress that the congressman simply "thought it was important to honor Christmas" by introducing the bill. Yet today on Fox News, King went further, decrying an "assault on Christmas" from "secularists" who want to "eradicate Christ from Christmas." Ignoring the Constitution, King claimed America is really a "Christian nation":

I recognized that we're a Christian nation founded on Christian principles, and we're coming up to Christmastime. ... It's time we stood up and said so, and said to the rest of America, Be who you are and be confident. And let's worship Christ and let's celebrate Christmas for the right reasons.

In his tirade, King attacked the nine "liberal Democrat" "naysayers" who voted against the bill. "I would like to know how they can vote yes on Ramadan, yes on the Indian religions, and no on Christianity, when the foundation of this nation and our American culture is Christian," he said.

In response, Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL) ripped King's religious zealotry as "another sad attempt by conservative Republicans to skew the line between church and state":

"America is not a Christian nation," Hastings said. "It is a nation of Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and everyone in between. Our diversity is our strength and those who seek to use religion as a litmus test are doing a disservice to all of us."

As for the "assault on Christianity," Hastings said, "all someone has to do is visit a shopping mall, turn on the radio or TV or look at the Christmas trees sitting on the front lawns of the White House and the United States Capitol to realize that no such assault is underway."

King isn't alone. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee both have declared that America is a Christian nation.

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Tagged as: king, fox news, christianity, christmas, hastings

Satyam Khanna is a Research Associate for The Progress Report and ThinkProgress.org at the Center for American Progress.


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Laches
Posted by: Laches on Dec 12, 2007 2:08 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It is too difficult to find the words to describe King's buffoonery. He spends a lot of time babbling right-winger bilge in the House during the special orders period. If you are searching for real time entertainment that sometimes brings jaw-dropping disbelief and sometimes laughter, break out some popcorn and beer and watch him for awhile.

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» RE: Laches Posted by: dmmaze6
» RE: Laches Posted by: Lauren
religion politics
Posted by: cwilsondrum on Dec 12, 2007 2:15 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
religion politics is easy for the lame brained. it is more of the "believe" (translation,no work involved in checking reality,facts,or anyone else's opinion or rights. More "I am one of you" bullshit. If there wasn't separation of church and state, the church would still be killing,jailing, or otherwise ostracizing anyone who didn't think the world was flat,and that the earth is the center of the universe,but we all know the answer to those ,and it took more than believing to get there. check out the series of "cosmos" with carl sagan to see exactly where religion has always been when it came to education,science,and the betterment of mankind.

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» RE: religion politics Posted by: Lauren
» RE: religion politics Posted by: gopack
» RE: religion politics Posted by: gopack
GOD...
Posted by: mirimac on Dec 12, 2007 3:09 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
is too big to fit into one religion.

God did not make religion - humans made religion to answer questions we couldn't answer and then sculpted a god that humans could understand and relate to - created in the image of humans.

The purpose of the holy writings of each religion is simply to reinforce that tiny perspective in the people of that faith, and turn them against those whose faiths are different.

This is as old as humankind.

The world's religions are no more than pieces of a large puzzle. I believe that "God" (for want of a better term) would be better understood and humans better off it the puzzle could be put together, by concentrating on our commonalities rather than our differences.

Of course that can only happen when there is peace between people of different faiths and we all know that's not going to happen on our watch, or ever unless we allow that we can see only one tiny perspective - rather like an ant looking at one of us.

America was NEVER a Christian nation, and in Philadelphia, the very Cradle of our Nation, the founding dream of William Penn, Quaker, was that people of various faiths could live in peace.

It worked for a while anyway, long enough for those ideas to have crept into our founding documents.

It also worked in Ottoman-controlled Spain, where the ruling Muslims would never have thought of interfering in the faiths of the Jews and Christians who lived there. It took the Christian King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella to "conquer" Spain for Christ and bring the Inquisition to Spain to root out the infidels.

Look closely at any religion and you'll see good people who want live in peace, but behind the scenes, you'll find power-hungry demi-gods who see peace as a threat (and not very profitable either.)

"Glory to God, and on Earth, Peace to [men] of good will." Anybody see any "goodwill" lately?

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» RE: GOD... Posted by: osd
» RE: GOD... Posted by: Turiye
» RE: GOD... Posted by: Richard House
» RE: GOD... Posted by: El Hombre Malo
The War on Happy Holidays Continues
Posted by: abstractmachine on Dec 12, 2007 4:42 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
A hahahahahah
or shoudl i say Ho Ho Ho Ho.

I love it that all the fundy christan rants about santa, trees, and presents being pagan (read satanic) intrusions into christmas have totally fallen by the wayside so they can defend anything christmas at any cost.

This is a CHRISTMAS NATION and WE WILL DIE FOR IT.
GIVE ME HOLLY OR GIVE ME DEATH!

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The War on Happy Holidays Continues
Posted by: abstractmachine on Dec 12, 2007 4:42 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
A hahahahahah
or shoudl i say Ho Ho Ho Ho.

I love it that all the fundy christan rants about santa, trees, and presents being pagan (read satanic) intrusions into christmas have totally fallen by the wayside so they can defend anything christmas at any cost.

This is a CHRISTMAS NATION and WE WILL DIE FOR IT.
GIVE ME HOLLY OR GIVE ME DEATH!

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What a crock
Posted by: osd on Dec 12, 2007 5:10 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Oh ya the good christians are at it again. No wonder everyone thinks this war is a holly war. They aren't going to be happy until they get us all killed in the name of there God. They are hell bent on making sure the end of the world happens. Stupid Sheeple, blah, blah, blah. The rich and powerful have really suckered you into lining there pockets with gold.

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nice country?
Posted by: anchoorite on Dec 12, 2007 5:16 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
it's really sad what US of A has become ...

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If we were really a Christian nation...
Posted by: AlexLawyer on Dec 12, 2007 5:18 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
If we're a Christian nation, why don't we act like it? Why are we the world's #1 warmongers, weapons manufacturers, torturers and forced disappearance perpetrators? Why are we the stingiest of all developed nations with humanitarian aid? Why do we have the highest murder rate, due to having over 200 million guns in private hands? Why do we insist on our right to trash the planet as its #1 polluter and resist calls to change? What does Jesus, the alleged Prince of Peace, have to do with our conduct?

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We are what we are!!!
Posted by: rocketman on Dec 12, 2007 6:19 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
There is no doubt that we are a Christian nation. We are not a muslim nation, not a jewish nation (although I wonder at times), we are a nation of 80% Christians who's culture embodies Christian values and holidays..there is no denying that..try as the left might.

To compound it, the more immigrants that flow into this country, the more of a Christian nation we will be!

As the far left tries to do away with Christmas., someone needs to come to it's rescue - and the greater the movement will be for people to stand up and consider religious values before voting!

We don't need to fly against the constitution, nor should we, but we will adhere to the majority in this country, as we ALWAYS HAVE..as our forefathers, who were Christians, have done! God Bless America, In God we Trust..etc..etc..etc...

As for Alcee Hastings, why is he even interviewed on this topic..he's a criminal charged with taking a $150,000 bribe in exchange for a lenient sentence and 21 counts of racketeering. Like his views count on anything!

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» RE: We are what we are!!! Posted by: Turiye
» RE: We are what we are!!! Posted by: Lauren
» RE: We are what we are!!! Posted by: rocketman
» RE: We are what we are!!! Posted by: rocketman
» RE: We are what we are!!! Posted by: brunowe
» RE: We are what we are!!! Posted by: KansasFarmBoy
» RE: We are what we are!!! Posted by: rocketman
» RE: We are what we are!!! Posted by: AMERICAN VETERAN
» Forefathers Christian? Posted by: Tombo
» RE: We are what we are!!! Posted by: newsound
Iran had Khomenei
Posted by: talkville on Dec 13, 2007 1:39 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Who will be the "Imam" of the USA who will fuse the Church and the State? There seem to be lots of contenders of late. Others put their fist on their chest and exclaim; Ave Caesar!

"La Vida es Sueno" wrote Calderon long ago in times of Shakespeare and such. But today, "La Vida es Pesadilla" and there's great need to wake up and do a bit of reasoning.

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Chris Matthews was very rude yesterday
Posted by: Lauren on Dec 13, 2007 3:20 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
to one of his guests. Demanding in a very dominating way to know WHO of the candidates had said this was a christian nation.

I remember there had been some, I wasn't at all sure the number or who it had been, but I, like the reporter, was absolutely sure it had happened. It was rude to challenge him like that on something true while endlessly spinning BS on the side.

Chris was very rude about it. It was classic white male dominating behavior and very abusive to an employee (live on TV even wow). He was taking advantage of his position as the host to seriously threaten and embarrass the other guy. That is how he responds when he feels threatened, with an attack.

He shuts people off a lot too, that is also very rude. He displayed a classic example of it with the body language experts. Did you notice their arms and hands? (Was that a defensive - this is my space, spit shield?) How Chris was trying but failing to copy them? Hmm...

He has sunk to O'Reilly's tactics in defending his faith.

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Swimming!!
Posted by: girlperson1 on Dec 13, 2007 5:13 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It's just like swimming, with your arms and legs tied....

We're got some real sickos in our government. Sad days are coming to this country.

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» RE: Swimming!! Posted by: girlperson1
» RE: Swimming!! Posted by: AMERICAN VETERAN
Ridiculous...
Posted by: yucel81x on Dec 13, 2007 5:22 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The FIRST Amendment to our U.S. Constitution, in the Bill of Rights very CLEARLY states:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

While this of course means the press is within its rights to say whatever crap it wants (although it would be contrary to their doctrine of being "informative"), the very beginning of the amendment is pretty clear... it prohibits the establishment of a National Religion. Please see: here. Of course, it's Wikipedia, so it's not the most reliable source, but not too bad either...

The second the United States of America calls itself a "Christian Nation," then by definition, all who adhere to that are TRAITORS!!!

And people wonder why I'm a Scrooge during Christmas time. Nevermind the fact that I'm not Christian, nor pagan (read your history, Christmas is NOT about Christ!), nor any other religion (Muslim by birth, but agnostic by choice), but this is all just über-marketing in action. Enjoy!

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» RE: idiculous... Posted by: gopack
They Are Wrong - This is a Native American Occupyed Nation
Posted by: tommy1957 on Dec 13, 2007 6:36 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Hey you stinking white WASPs. Where do you get off declaring this sacred land a christian nation. You invaded this nation and stole the land from the Native Americans. Then you systematically destroyed it by over using it, polluting it and by posting your ugly faces all over it. Thanks to the christian invaders; we now can hardly breath the once clean air; drink the once clean water; and enjoy the once beautiful forrest that covered the land. Go home christians, back to Europe and the middle east. We don't want your stinking filthy kind here anymore. They and only they have the right to declare what religion the nation is; and as far as I know they won't be going with the invader's choice. You want to start a civil war, try to shove your christian crap down the throats of all Americans and I will personally cut your throat to watch you bleed to death.

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Interesting
Posted by: chaoslegs on Dec 13, 2007 7:12 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
My Representative Keith Ellison, you may have heard of him, he is the lone Muslim in Congress, voted in favor of the resolution.

As Homer Simpson said the other night, "let me get this straight, you can make people miserable and they can't do anything about it. Just like God."

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» RE: Interesting Posted by: Tombo
» RE: Interesting Posted by: nochicagoboys
Pagan rituals
Posted by: Darkly on Dec 13, 2007 7:19 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
xmass trees are based on the yule log where for each of the 12 days, norse pagans would slice a new part of the log and make a new sacrifice to the god yule. and santa clause is based on the pagan god Odin (AKA wolden=wendsday) where he was a big chubby old man with a long white flowing beard who wandered the forests around dec to decides who dies and who prospers. Rep Steve King, you are a TRUE christian celebrating and defending PAGAN rituals.

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Founding Fathers
Posted by: QQOblivion on Dec 13, 2007 7:41 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I am so f***ing sick of the "Christian nation" crowd. And from what little I know of Rep King, he is a real ignorant ass.

But the main point I want to make is this: Many of America's Founding Fathers (including Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, and possibly George Washington, among others) were DEISTS, not Christians. What if the Constitution, instead of proclaiming the separation between church and state, said that all Americans should live their lives according to the principles of Deism? How would the Christian Right have liked THAT!?

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» RE: Founding Fathers Posted by: munchkinpup
» RE: Founding Fathers Posted by: gopack
Dennis Kucinich Agrees
Posted by: QuinnFazigu on Dec 13, 2007 7:58 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Hey, guys. Dennis Kucinich voted for this. Did nobody recognize his name in the YEAS? Dennis Kucinich voted to affirm that Christianity is not only the driving force behind America, but all of Western Civilization.

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We are NOT a Christian nation
Posted by: thekidde on Dec 13, 2007 8:58 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
and anyone who believes we are should not hold public office. Has the whole of America gone brain-dead? Religion is anathema to reality, rationality and scientific advancement. Magic prophets, imams, money grubbing televangelists and "mega-church" charlatans are a joke to civilized peoples of the world, particularly our European cousins who think we're all nuts. We're not, just enough of us to scare the pants off of people with any intellect at all.

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US Based on Christianity?
Posted by: Tombo on Dec 13, 2007 8:58 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Yah, because we all know the sentiment that all men are created equal is just all over the bible. What really gets me is that Keith Ellison voted in favor of this resolution. What was he thinking?

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» RE: US Based on Christianity? Posted by: nochicagoboys
G. Washington said USA not founded upon Christianity
Posted by: nochicagoboys on Dec 13, 2007 10:00 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity [sic], of Musselmen; and as the said States never have entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mehomitan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries." George Washington, 1st President of the United States of America, "Treaty of Tripoli" (Article 11), November 4, 1796

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Nope
Posted by: bdowne01 on Dec 13, 2007 12:51 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion;" - Treaty of Tripoli, 1796. Approved and signed by John Adams, then president.

Game over, try again when you're smarter.

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robert
Posted by: outrider on Dec 13, 2007 5:04 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
CHRISTIAN NATIONS ARE WHAT CHRISTIAN NATIONS DO

King said and McCain and Huckabeen agreed, “I recognized that we're a Christian nation founded on Christian principles…” I will agree that the United States is founded on ethical, not religious, principles that were shared by the Christian Church and many other religions of the era involved. However asserting that the United States is a Christian nation is like saying that Halliburton and Enron are charitable organizations. Christianity is what Christians do, not what they say.

According to their dogma, Christians will ultimately be judged by their acts, not their words or intentions. It behooves us to judge them by the same standard.

Perhaps Christians can be forgiven but where does that leave their victims. Few are going to forgive or forget the agony suffered at the hands of those who have been saved. God allegedly grants mercy to the sinner but like all good conservatives leaves their victims to suffer.

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'christian nation' is a fallacy
Posted by: radiomorning on Dec 14, 2007 12:28 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
If these idiots would take a moment to study their country's history they would find that America was specifically not founded as a christian nation. You may find some churchgoing founding fathers, but they made it very clear that America was not to be a Christian nation and that religion was to play no part in governance.

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he'd be mad to vote 'nay'
Posted by: radiomorning on Dec 14, 2007 12:31 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
He's in the middle of a presidential campaign right now. His not voting against this meaningless piece of garbage doesn't mean he agrees with it, it means he's not an idiot.

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» RE: he'd be mad to vote 'nay' Posted by: radiomorning
Hello
Posted by: crow on Dec 14, 2007 9:05 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
UH... The Founding Fathers practiced Deism. They abhorred Christianity and the dogma espoused. IT is a historical fact, well documented in the archives of the nation.This country was founded on the principals of Free Thinkers who saw religion as an obstacle to be avoided. I know many fundamentalists wish to believe this is a Christian nation,but, they're just going to have to accept the facts. We have a choice....

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» RE: Hello Posted by: gopack
The United States is officially NOT a Christian Nation!
Posted by: uni126corn on Dec 15, 2007 7:10 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Apparently Congressman King as well as many politicians do not know their history and the Treaty of Tripoli which officially states:

Article 11 reads:
As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.

Article 11 has been a point of contention regarding the proper interpretation of the doctrine of separation of church and state. Supporters of the separation of church and state contend that this article is significant in that it confirms that the government of the United States was specifically intended to be religiously neutral. Supporters of the "Christian Nation" theory dispute this, arguing that the article in the treaty carries little or no significance.

Official records show that after President John Adams sent the treaty to the Senate for ratification in May 1797, the entire treaty was read aloud on the Senate floor, including the famous words in Article 11, and copies were printed for every Senator. A committee considered the treaty and recommended ratification, and the treaty was ratified by a unanimous vote of all 23 Senators. It was the 339th time a recorded vote was taken in the Senate and only the third time a unanimous result was obtained. The treaty was reprinted in full in three newspapers, two in Philadelphia and one in New York City. There is no record of any public outcry or complaint in subsequent editions of the papers.

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