Dr. Richard Hughes, a Professor of Religion at Messiah College explores this question in his book Christian America and the Kingdom of God. In it, Hughes considers why some believe this concept of the United States as a Christian nation, and how, throughout our history, religious and political leaders have used this belief to reinforce a sort of messianic nationalism, characterizing the U.S. as God's "chosen nation" – a view Hughes holds has led to an increase in power and influence among fundamentalist Christians, but has ironically led to unchristian behavior.

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Note: For more on this, watch God in America, Monday-Wednesday 10/11-13, 9-11pm on WITF-TV.