This one is rhetorical and I don't expect anyone to answer... Since we say the U.S. is a CHRISTIAN nation, our leader then ultimately has to be Jesus, right? What then would Jesus have done in the wake of 9/11, as opposed to what actually happened? My point is this (and Ken, you can cuss me out if you want), our civic religion is basically a mishmash, not Christianity. Here is how it boils down to me. Take one heaping helping of nationalism; add two scoops of national preservation; add three cloves of self righteousness; sprinkle two or three Bible verses very, very lightly, and fold. Add theological sayings, and fold again. Bake in the hot air of political lyrical discourse until well done, and enjoy it while blowing bubbles of happiness. I know, I'm cynical, but I get so sick and tired of the cliché "America (the U.S.) is a Christian Nation." IT NEVER WAS. It was and is a religious nation with Christian undertones, but every nation is shaped by the faith of most of the important citizens. The Christian faith was never meant to be the faith of the majority. It is, here, though, and we have to put up with some anti-Christian ideas from "Christian policymakers" in order to live here. ----------------------- To change your mail settings or leave the C-PALSY list, go here: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?SUBED1=c-palsy