The reality however is that the US was a Christian nation, an overwhelmingly Protestant nation in fact until the 20th century, but not with a Christian or Protestant government (whatever the latter might be, which I cannot imagine, given all the sects). The amazing thing, is that with all its vast wealth and power, unlike any other such place, America retains an out of the box interest in matters of faith. The Puritan seed is alive and well on the fruited plain. It is what give this nation "virtu," so says this near atheist.
The founders were largely agnostic or deists, rejected the diety of Christ, miracles and a PERSONAL God. They rejected calvanism and abhorred the 'religious' governmental HELL of Europes pogroms. Less than 15 percent of Americas citizens actually attended church at our founding as a nation.
the idea that we are or ever were a Christian nation is ridiculous an repugnant to the FACTS of history. That the virtues of this nation are parallel with SOME attributes of Christianity is undeniable, but they are also consitent with some attributes of Hammurabi's code, Confusionism and even some Hindu philosophy.
There were no 'evangelicals' per se, amongst the founders. And although they professed belief in a 'higher power' they did not publicly espouse a personal belief in a living Savior, for the most part, as we who are evangelicals do today.
Saying so does not demean the limited faith of our Fathers. They did the best the could with what light they had. But it does put the lie to the light... that we are a Christian nation... which is the goal of certain political-religious movements in the united states notably the chalcedonians and wall builders...
The government of this nation is to be TOLERANT of all religion, including the NON religious beliefs of agnostics, athiests and pratitioners of cults (as long as they do not harm their followers or the social order at large.)
The christian bible was used at the outset of this nation to make sure that people of color WOULD remain slaves. Particularly quotes from the New Testament. When the civil war was fought and won by the antislave forces of the north, the deconstrution of the religious institution of legalized slavery began the process of natural decay assisted by a secularist north that valued human freedom over FUNDAMENTALIST religious orthodoxy in the south.
America is clearly a secular nation... with the tandem benefits of freedom OF religion, as well as freedom FROM religion if we so choose.
Chalcedonian and Wall builder myths notwithstanding.