Opinion | America as a Christian Nation? it’s complicated.

I’m sorry, but this is far more important than Greek philosophy, but it’s amazing.

Justin Dyer may have exaggerated the founders’ reliance on Judeo-Christian theology, but they are correct in embracing at least an important element of philosophical natural law ethics. It seemed that moral obligations arise not from arbitrary rules imposed by society or God, but from a yearning for authentic human nature for truth, goodness, beauty, and the fullness of life. As Dyer pointed out, patterns of inauthentic choices lead to self-alienation.

The source of its moral theory was Aristotle, inspired by his teacher Plato, but neither used the term “law of nature.” Aristotle based his theory on eudaimonia (Greek for “happiness” or “prosperity”), but his Nicomachean ethic makes eudaimonia mature into character those deep longings. Clearly redefined as self-actualization through selected patterns of behavior. He called such patterns aretes (“excellence” or “skill”). We call it “virtue,” according to his Latin translator. For Aristotle, those longings are much richer than those found in the over-biologicalized natural law ethics of his later adherents. In the natural law tradition, self-actualization is not personal, but rather that of a communal person whose personal interests necessarily include common interests. Translation is human prosperity.

One of the wonders of natural law and self-actualization ethics is that from the “pagans” Plato and Aristotle four or five centuries before the common era, to medieval theologians and philosophers (Averroes the Muslim, Maimonides of Christianity, Aquinas of Christians), to 20th-century atheist psychologist Abraham Maslow. Our times tend to rely more on “competing narratives” and self-reinvention than on truth and character, but it would do well to contemplate the persistence of that fascination.

Justin Dyer asked if the United States is a Christian country. He would like to answer that question for him. For background, I am Jewish. My paternal ancestors arrived on this coast in the late 18th century. This is considerably earlier than many politicians, clerics and pseudo-clerics who have determined that we are a Christian nation. The answer to Mr. Dyer’s question is no. An exclamation point follows the capital letter. We are a secular nation whose main religious forms are various denominations of Christianity. End of story!

Stephen Shutman, chevy chase

In his op-ed, Justin Dyer made a sweeping statement about the country’s founders being guided by a “Christian-influenced philosophy” [that] It was the high ground from which Americans of all kinds rose to claim the mantle of justice. ” How would Mr. Dyer fit in with a true founder named Haim Salomon, a Jew? Salomon, who immigrated to the United States from Poland, may be credited as the greatest contributor to the American Revolution by donating his entire fortune to the Continental Army and brokering large donations to Washington’s army. He was a driving force behind the country’s fertility efforts.

Prior to the Battle of Yorktown, the Continental Army had run out of funds. Solomon managed to raise about $20,000 to prepare the American army to fight and end the American Revolution.

Salomon died at the age of 45, leaving his family penniless. He gave all and lost all. It is frightening that this and related history is so little taught in schools and colleges.

For Salomon’s sacrifice, a US postage stamp was issued in 1975 recognizing him. Nothing was said about him being Jewish, Christian, or otherwise.

Additionally, the country’s other founder, Thomas Jefferson, wanted his headstone to read, “Author of the Declaration of Independence, Virginia Law for Religious Freedom, Father of the University of Virginia.” was only three. One more word. “

Peter I. Hartsock, Laytonsville