We've never been 'Christian' nation

The writer of the Nov. 14 letter "Follow the Founding Fathers" believes the Founding Fathers required the president and other officials to pledge their loyalty to God and country before taking office. The Founding Fathers wrote the U.S. Constitution, the document that sets forth the rules for governing.

Article VI requires all state and federal officials be bound by oath or affirmation to support the U.S. Constitution (not God and country) and decrees that no religious test shall ever be required.

The writer also claims that this country was founded on Christian principles. The document known as the Treaty of Peace and Freedom, signed Nov. 4, 1796, during the administration of George Washington, contains the statement: "The government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion."

We are a nation of immigrants with a diverse population culturally, racially, religiously. The nation is not about to fall apart. We are still the most envied people on this planet. Americans can live their lives as they please, worship whatever god(s) they please and vote for any candidate they please. That's what being free is all about.

RICHARD D. CHRISTIAN

Modesto