"Christian America" – a Muslim perspective

This is interesting (via A Conservative Blog for Peace) –

Am I objecting to the notion of America being a “Christian nation,” especially because I am Muslim? No, not at all. Like I said before, I have absolutely no problem with this being a nation based upon Judeo-Christian values, because those values are my values. Yet – as I said before – if we are truly a Christian nation, as many contend, then this comes with a number of obligations and implications.

A Christian nation always stands on the side of justice, no matter what the political ramifications. A Christian nation must always act in accordance with the principle that right makes might, as opposed to the other way around. A Christian nation must always oppose those who commit injustice, even if it be its own friends and allies. A Christian nation must always have compassion for the poor and less fortunate, especially those living within its own borders. A Christian nation can never say one thing and do another. Now, I believe a Muslim nation is bound by the same obligations, but I am not a citizen of a Muslim nation, but rather a majority-Christian one.

Too many times, however, our country has hardly acted like a Christian nation. The most recent example of such failure is the invasion of Iraq, a war which the late Pope John Paul II himself said failed to meet the criteria of a Christian just war. Talk is cheap. If this country is truly a “Christian nation” – as many are wont to claim – if we are to talk the talk, then we have to simultaneously walk the walk. Otherwise, all America will ever be is just a nation of Christians. We can do much better than that.