USA a Christian Nation?

Is the US really a Christian nation? Read the United States Treaty with Tripoli, 1796-1797 for the founding fathers' take. Thanks to the Stephen Jay Gould Archive for hosting the discussion and document, and Ed Buckner for an interesting analysis.

"Authored by American diplomat Joel Barlow in 1796, the following treaty was sent to the floor of the Senate, June 7, 1797, where it was read aloud in its entirety and unanimously approved. John Adams, having seen the treaty, signed it and proudly proclaimed it to the Nation. "

"Art. 11. 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.

Signed and sealed at Tripoli of Barbary the 3d day of Junad in the year of the Hegira 1211— corresponding with the 4th day of November, 1796, by
JUSSO BASHAW MAHOMET, Bey, et al

The Dove says take THAT you right wing fundamentalist yahoos. In MY America the founding fathers affirm that the government is religiously neutral and has no hostility to the laws or religion of Muslims. As of 1797!!!

Whatever the Dove's personal beliefs about the Deity, she is firmly committed to secular government, for the same reasons the founding fathers set it up. Religious wars arise from religious governments. God save us from a replay of England's wars, Cromwell, the Terror.