The "notions, values, and ideals of democracy" in the United States were formed by men that were, at best, Deists (more likely Atheists). As a result, the United States is not a Christian nation, the ties to religion (even language) were purposely left undefined to allow for change. As the religious and cultural complexion of the U.S. evolves, the dominant culture will just have to acquiesce or found another country without the framework of religious and cultural pluralism at its core.
Also, the notion Obama is any religion other than what he states, is anything but credible, and the McCarthy-esque inflamed exploration of the topic is a product of very narrow, intolerant minds.
I entirely agree with you, in a
de jure sense, but it would be equally narrow minded (that's an observation, not an accusation!) to deny that [contitutional protections notwithstanding] the US remains a
de facto Christian nation.
With that knowledge one must also remember that Nick lives in a ... different America; a ...
special America.
I have spent a fair amount of time in the Mosques of numerous countries both 'Muslim' and
not. I have prayed at Hindu shrines and attended many Christian church services Catholic, Protestant (and others) 'Christian' and
not and I have observed, even participated in events pertaining
to other faiths in several other countries. I wonder, what does that make me?
To answer what was a rhetorical question, I'm a confirmed athiest, - I'd no more
subscribe to a religion than I'd deny anyone the right to do exactlty that. This is despite my
general view that organised religion is a hop skip and a jump froma form of national, even global brainwashing and remains the source of a sizeable proportion of this world's ill will, sadness and death.
In other words, I don't believe one's faith alone defines one's character, that is defined by one's actions (or sometimes, one's inactions) and I believe most anyone who is convinced otherwise, and would use that to make a cheap [political in this case] point, has issues that likely won't find resolution on fora such as this.