Christian nation

Dear Editor:In response to Marlyn Madru's letter "Abortions in Downey" (Letters to the Editor, 8/1/13), I strongly disagree with her letter and the way she ended it: "This country was founded on Christian principles. If you don't believe it, you don't know your history." I am pro-choice; I believe that women should have the right to decide what to do with their pregnancy. If a woman wants to abort, it's their choice and "Christian principles" should not dictate a woman's life, nor should the government. When it comes to, "This country being founded on Christian principles" she is not right. I know my history and I've researched this topic on many occasions for history classes in high school and college. To start off, if this country was founded on Christian principles, why doesn't the Constitution make any biblical references? One may make a counter argument and say that the Declaration of Independence does make four references to God: "laws of nature and nature's God," "endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights," "the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions," and "the protection of divine Providence," but there is evidence that suggests that the Founding Fathers of America were mostly deists and they used vague terms when referring to God; they did not mention a specific god. In addition to that, the Founding Fathers believed in the separation of the state and the church. Their decision behind this was because of Europeans who left Europe for America (i.e. the Pilgrims coming to America in search of political and religious freedom because European politics and religion were intertwined and Christians were being prosecuted). Another instance that this country was not founded on Christian principles is found in the First Amendment. It states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." For people who believe that this country was founded on Christian principles who use the "In God we trust" motto or "One nation, under God" defense, think again. The "In God we trust" motto became official in 1956, only because the United States wanted to distinguish itself from the Soviet Union, which promoted state atheism. Also, the "In God We Trust" motto started to be printed on coins in 1864 and paper currency in 1957, way after the founding of this country. "One nation, under God" was not added to the Pledge of Allegiance until 1954. Even though Ms. Madru believes that this country was founded on Christian principles, there is a lot of evidence that suggests otherwise. Sure there are laws found both in the Bible and in the courts, such as murder and stealing being wrong and illegal, but yet again, other nations who are not "Christian nations" have similar laws as well. I know my history, hopefully now you have more knowledge of your history as well. Guillermo Vazquez Downey

********** Published: Aug. 8, 2013 - Volume 12 - Issue 17