jem,
Thanks for your courteous reply. I am aware this thread's topic is Meat & religion(lol) but I would like to respond to the particular points you have raised.
I think it is good practice to consider the context as well as specific wording when responding to or making a point of view. As a student of law, I assume and trust you would endeavour to do similar, although so far I don't see that you are. I responded specifically to 2 points which you originally made and tried to keep them within the context they reside.
There is no "incredible revision" in what I said and I think it unwise to assume my arguments originate from a place where such revisions might be found. Others studied at Law School, others have quite a clear view on what factual history states, especially when applying an approach unfettered by religious pre conditioning.
I recoil from your statement which suggests... "our country was founded on ideals fostered by the Christian religion"... when the christian religion also fostered the ideal that the earth was flat, thus making it 'against God's will' for the land which would be called America to even exist - let alone be founded.
"It was because of Christianity and the differences among the sects that America choose to let people worship as they desired."
No it was not. It was the Founding Fathers who ensured that freedom should NOT be attributed to any religious sect including the christian one - and that they should therefore be free to worship how or whatever they want... UNDER Law.
The crux of your argument was as follows:
1.You stated that this country was founded upon Judeo-Christian ideals ( I appreciate you have since rescinded this description, although it is recognized as a valid name for what is basically and historically representing the formation of christianity, from both Judaism and Christianity). You referred to words of the Declaration of Independence to support your claim.
It is without question that The Founding Fathers were NOT prepared to stipulate ANY theistic (living gods) viewpoint into the Declaration of Independence. It is also quite clear and evident that they were NOT going to mix religion and matters of State, furthermore they were NOT going to base upon christianity the 'fostering of America' (your supposition). If they wanted to they would have simply stated "WE hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator..." God our Father - or in addition and to make it christian - and His Son Jesus Christ or Lord. They did not.
You may also note as I pointed out previously they stipulate to A Creator not THE Creator God.
I posted quotes from Jefferson and Adams to which you have responded with further quotes and I agree hurling these back and forth may not lead to the speediest conclusions, except to say there is contradiction in them. But contradiction only supports the point that America by its people, was not based or founded on a clear and particular connection to ANY or one religion. Otherwise there would be few or no contradiction.
Original settlers were most certainly religious, but fleeing from religious persecution, they sailed the Atlantic Ocean in order to practice their MANY faiths (presbyterian catholic baptist christian protestant methodist anglican etc etc) freely.
That the christian faith in all its many forms, sects split offs and whatever, may have become preponderant( this is arguable), is not the issue and does not alter the fact that Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness, is NOT a religious concept. In the same way neither is kndness fairness love truth logic or law, which are I further suggest, similar ideals which you would also attempt to ascribe to some christian religion or other.