Constitution Is Christian, Public and McCain Agree
GOP presidential candidate John McCain says he agrees with most Americans that the Constitution created a Christian nation.
“I would probably have to say yes, that the Constitution established the United States of America as a Christian nation,” McCain told Beliefnet. “But I say that in the broadest sense. The lady that holds her lamp beside the golden door doesn’t say, ‘I only welcome Christians.’ We welcome the poor, the tired, the huddled masses. But when they come here they know that they are in a nation founded on Christian principles.”
A USA Today First Amendment poll found that 55 percent of Americans mistakenly believe the Constitution created a Christian nation. Fifty-eight percent said public school teachers should be able to lead prayers.
McCain gave the interview at a time he is trying to repair relations with conservative religious groups, the New York Times reports.
