The Treaty of Tripoli - Are We a Christian Nation?

Here is an interesting item for all of you Christian Right junkies. This is Article 11 from a treaty made with the Tripoli in 1797 as a result of pirates attacking American ships. The shame of some "Christian history revisionists" is that they say that Article 11 isn't in the original copy. It's shameful because the document they are talking about was investigated by a Dutch scholar, Dr. C. Snouk Hurgronje, from the Arabic copy which was not the treaty at all but a letter containing the treaty and much of the letter was gibberish. The American copy does have Article 11. Also, it was published in many newspapers of the day of which we have surviving copies. The Christian Right often goes to any extent, including dishonest ones, to make their "point." As a conservative Republican waaay before the Christian Right appeared, and also as an ethical, honest Christian, I am tired of seeing this kind of unethicism and dishonesty over and over again from these folks.

Article 11 As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.

Oh by the way, the Senate, which is the body that ratifies treaties, unanimously passed this in 1797. It appeared in numerous newspaper and other writings in the United States and no one said a word against it at that time.

Source: http://www.stephenjaygould.org/ctrl/treaty_tripoli.html