Are Christians Really Under Attack in America?

It seems that every time I log on to Associated Content to see what's new in the world of independent media people are arguing about religion, morality and government. You have to be blind not to see that there is a war going on in America over religion's role in public life. What is the nature of this war? What is at issue? Are the battle lines as simple as Christians versus everyone else? This article will be an attempt to address some of these issues.

Here is the obligatory disclaimer. This is opinionated article about religion and thus will be controversial and subjective, though I will try to be as objective as I can. Also, do not think that I am stupid or bigoted-when I say "Christians" I do not mean all believers in Christ but simply the group in aggregate in America. I do not want to be guilty of generalizing so when I say "Christians" realize that I mean most or some "Christians."

The most simplistic view of the argument would be to say that there are the faithful and those who hate religion. Certainly, if you type in the world "Christian" into the AC search bar you will find in the comments of almost any article people who bash religion itself as irrational and foolish. There are those few who have an allergy to the mere mention of God and religion. Such comments do not, however, form the majority of negative criticism leveled at Christians on the internet. In their defense you do not often find Christians on the web trying to mindlessly convert everyone to their faith or claiming that their antagonists are going to burn in hellfire for eternity either.

For the most part the religious argument in America is a legal, political and moral one and hinges on the language of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.