Apparently I was unclear. That’s not my point. What I meant to do was to use those (perhaps empty) platitudes to point out how the American system of government at least implicitly acknowledges the truth in my second paragraph: that something or someone has to be bigger than government authority.

As for the founders and the rest of the history you mention, I agree that the claim of a “Christian nation” is shaky at best. Even today, as I pointed out in the original piece, many who vaunt their faith in God are actually trusting in the government or other powers, as shown by their actions. My plea is for all of us to examine our own actions and priorities to see where our ultimate trust truly lies, no matter what our slogans say.

Also, I disagree about faith being merely private. Your beliefs about the nature of reality will affect every part of your life, including citizenship and/or leadership. Even explicitly secular claims (such as socialism) rest on religious assumptions, whether theistic or not. Daniel’s story illustrates what happens when those assumptions clash. For now, we in America can live in relative peace with those who disagree. But conflict will come, in big and small ways, so I advise seeking out the strongest, most dependable foundation there is. Living out of that trust will color our relationship with government and our influence in the world.