While USA Today Sleeps

Tom Krattenmaker, a member of USA Today's board of contributors, has written an essay that asks if we are "A Pious Nation?" and then describes the impiety that characterizes our nation. Here's his conclusion:

And on goes the pointless argument about whether America is a "Christian nation." Whether this country is Christian depends entirely on how we define the terms, of course. Our Constitution: secular. Our history and culture: religious.

And what do we mean by "religious"? If we're talking about rhetoric, volume and public display, it has been a very religious time indeed. If we mean behavior that creates peace, extends compassion to the less fortunate and reaches out to strangers outside our borders, we have a way to go. If we are a Christian nation, shouldn't we more consistently behave like one?

Though I agree with much of what Krattenmaker writes, his assertion about the pointlessness of arguments over Christian nationalism begs the question. The issue is whether our Constitution should be viewed as a secular document.

The Religious Right has created an entire industry to sanctify their version of the Constitution's "original intention" and to promote the myth that the founding fathers intended for it to privilege the Christian religion above all others.

If Krattenmaker needs evidence of their success, he need look no farther than this lament that Barry Lynn wrote when he learned that PBS will be distributing a film about "The Wall of Separation" that was produced by Christian Reconstructionists.

Wake up USA Today! While you were sleeping, theocrats were busy redefining your Constitution.