I just attended a wonderful and enlightening lecture and tour at the Old Manse in Concord, Massachusetts.

It is clear that many of the colonial settlers, and colonies themselves, were founded by Christians, in particular, nonconformist Christians. The Puritans who settled New England were of the same sect that led to the overthrow of the English King during the Revolution in 17th Century England. The Quakers were instrumental in the founding of Pennsylvania. During the American Colonial Era, the Puritans gave way to the Congregationalists, who distinguished themselves by electing their leaders (and refused to call where they worshipped 'churches'). The Congregation split when the majority voted to become Unitarian.

There were historical happenings known as The Great Awakening, and The Second Great Awakening. Some early luminaries such as Ralph Waldo Emerson gave up on Unitarianism and embraced Transcendentalism.

What this adds up to is that whatever you mean by 'Christian' was in fact a broad ranging exploration of the intellect that went beyond what many people, perhaps yourselves, regard as Christian in this day and age. When the Framers are referring to 'Nature and Nature's God' without mentioning Christ, I think you are hard put to make Jesus the center of some imaginary historical America.

That having been said, Americans have certainly put religion high in their personal lives. Early American villages were pretty much homogeneous and didn't perceive a difference between church and state. The buildings people worshipped in were the ones they conducted town meetings in.

My main point is that you can't properly put this issue on a bumper sticker. And if you want to sleep with a bible and a copy of the Constitution, fine by me. I just think a pillow is a bit softer.