CHRISTIAN NATION: Yes, it is

I read with amusement Dave Walker’s feeble attempt to prove that America never has been, and is not, fundamentally a Christian nation (My Turn, 02/27/2026). 

Guess he thinks his cute little reference to our First Amendment as being “pesky” was funny, or something. It does one thing only — prohibits the establishment of a national church, giving preference to one specific religious denomination, as was in place in England at the time of its writing — not separating God from government, or making government purely secular. 

Thomas Jefferson introduced a statewide resolution in the Virginia Legislature for a statewide day of fasting and prayer to the God of the Bible, then a prayer and Thanksgiving Day proclamation while governor of same state. In 1800, he and Theodore Sedgwick, Senate and House leaders respectively, approved Christian church services every Sunday in the Hall of the House of Representatives — not exactly church and state separation! 

I refer Dave, and anyone else, to the book entitled, “The American Story,” by David and Tim Barton, available at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library (see also “Building The Republic,” same authors) for many other examples of public faith in, and dependence on, God and the Christian Church by our founders, presidents and other leaders throughout our history as they governed America. 

“No nation has ever yet existed or been governed without religion — nor can be. The Christian religion is the best religion that has been given to man and I, as chief magistrate of this nation, am bound to give it the sanction of my example. (Church attendance)” — Thomas Jefferson  

TED TURRENTINE

Coeur d’Alene