A20: A Christian Nation Part 2

As has been done before, we shall go through each of the main arguments and refute them, starting with Tripoli.

The Pirates of Tripoli

Often proponents of secularism claim that Article XI of the Treaty of Tripoli proves that we are not a Christian nation.

Let us see if they are right. The origins of the conflict between the West and the Muslim world began as far back as the Crusades, however it escalated in the sixteenth century when five different Islamic nations (Tunis, Morocco, Algiers, Tripoli, and Turkey) began making indiscriminate attacks against the property and interests of what they claimed were Christian nations.

Between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries, one million European slaves were captured by these pirates, long stretches of the coast in Spain and Italy were abandoned, and raids went as far up as Iceland. European governments were required to pay blackmail to avoid capture.

After the Revolutionary War, the United States freed itself from Great Britain, however with it, so too from her protection. In 1784 Betsey, the first American ship, was captured and enslaved. In 1785 two more ships received the same treatment.

In response, Congress authorized John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson to negotiate peace. When they asked an ambassador from Tripoli what motivated these unprovoked attacks, he replied:

With such a declaration, peace seemed unattainable. In 1793, Algiers alone seized ten American merchant ships and enslaved more than one hundred sailors. The United States had no navy in which to defend itself, and so our diplomats used whatever they could to minimize the blows. America tried to separate from those so-called Christian nations of Europe that fought in the Crusades. Such an argument is exactly what we see when the whole of Article XI is read.

Article XI sought to assert that the United States had no historical animosities with the Muslims, and therefore was not at war with Islam. While temporary peace was achieved, it did not come cheaply as at the end of Washington’s final term, blackmail payments devoured 16% of the federal budget, and even that did not guarantee safety.

There was only one true option that these raiders would listen to: cannon and steel. Under John Adams, the United States began to build a navy, which Jefferson put to use in 1801. It was time to defend our interests with the sword instead of the purse.

The United States would go on to crush the Muslim forces during Jefferson’s presidency and again after the War of 1812, cementing our safety on the seas. For the Treaty of Tripoli, context matters and stripping such realities is thus an attempt to reverse its self-evident meaning. There is not one government document, including the Treaty of Tripoli, declaring that America is not Christian.

How we define terms matters. The Founders used many religious terms like Divine Being or Supreme Judge. What did these terms mean? Let’s look at one example: Providence. For its definition, let us go to Noah Webster’s famous dictionary written in 1828.

Providence did not describe a passive watchmaker God, but an active Lord with care over his creation. And so too we can find similar meanings for other terms like Divine Author, Grand Designer, or Almighty Being.

 Why does knowing the proper definitions matter so much? Well, if words are kept in their original form, the Founders’ writings and legal documents would make it impossible to deny this nation’s Christian heritage. These scholars would be forced to admit that this country is on a new path utterly opposite to our founders’ vision.

Constitution of America

But the Constitution! If they were so Christian, why is it not mentioned there?

Interesting you say that. How about Article II, Section 1, Paragraph 5:

Alright, it makes sense, that a foreigner cannot be the president of this country. However, what does that have to do with the Bible?

Well, our founders did not pull this line from anywhere, but it comes directly from Deuteronomy.

Not satisfied? How about another: the “Sundays Excepted Clause” which appears in Article I, Section 7, Paragraph 2. It stipulates that the President has ten days to sign a law excluding Sundays. 

All our documents, all our foundational creeds, and all our constitutions are undeniably rooted in the Lord.

Separation of Church State

Finally, it is time to put down the beast. The phrase Separation of Church and State has been invoked in over four thousand legal cases in the recent few decades. This action has led to the removal of Nativity scenes from public parks, the Ten Commandments from courtrooms, public prayer from school events, religious symbols from schools, and any other aspect of Christian life from our modern society.

Is this what the founders meant? Is this modern ideology the result of 400 years of legal precedent?

Let us go back into the past once more, this time to ancient Israel. When the Lord led his people out of the hands of the Egyptians, how were they to be governed? Moses was the lawgiver and prophet; however, God did not designate him alone to rule. In spiritual matters, the Lord designated a second, Aaron, to be high priest.

Such a firm separation can again be seen in the fifty-two-year reign of Uzziah. King Uzziah began his reign at sixteen years old and from the dying state of Amaziah, Judah prospered. His fields were bountiful, his fiery forges birthed great engines of war, and all who fought against him fell to their knees.

However, at the end of his reign, this honor was not enough, and attempting to seize the religious authority as well, he entered the Temple and burned incense, a role only for the priests. The anger of the Lord was kindled, and the king was struck with leprosy fleeing in humiliation (2 Chronicles 26:16-21).

Why has the Lord drawn this barrier? Why this firm line? It is because the crozier and scepter must not be wielded by the same hand. The miter and the crown must not adorn the same brow. In no single man are the kingdom and the church to be united. Such a position of priest, prophet, and king belongs to one, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Did this mean the two were utterly separate? Did not Samuel the prophet advise King Saul on civil matters, and did not King David, head of the government, gather materials for the building of the Temple of Solomon?

Now think. remember your history. This land was not just for mere settlers, but for those persecuted for their faith. The Quakers fled from England after 10,000 were imprisoned and tortured, 400,000 Huguenots fled from France, 20,000 Lutherans from Austria, the Anabaptists from Germany, and so forth. What were these groups scared of more than anything else? They were afraid that one denomination would rise, claim the government, and begin the very same persecutions from which they fled. The First Amendment was a shield for all Christians, that they could practice their faith without fear.

However, in this nation’s drowsiness, the Enemy has melted down such a shield and forged it into a sword which is being used to cleanse this nation of its Christian foundation. They will not relent until their aim is accomplished.

This is what we are up against. Over 400 years of men and women have sacrificed and soaked this nation in their blood, which you now inherit. All I wish to do is show you what is yours. So look at your heritage. Look at your history. Breathe in its ethereal essence. Let it fill your very lungs.

This is what the Enemy wishes to strip from you. This is what the Enemy wishes to destroy. Make no mistake, the barbarians are at the gate. Hannibal has crossed the Alps, defeated our armies at the Battle of Cannae, and is currently marching on Rome to finish what he has begun. An attack on Christianity is an attack on the very nation itself.

The only question I now have for you is: how shall we respond?

Shall we hide… Shall we cower… Shall we relent…

Your Humble and Obedient Servant,

Francisco Pereira

 Cited Sources

Barton, David. The Founder’s Bible. Shiloh Road Publishers, 2017.