The United States of America is a country that was formed on different beliefs. These beliefs are what make America the diverse country it is today. One of the biggest debates in this country is the divide between church and state. The United States is one of the few countries that believes in the separation of church and state. I believe the United States is a secular nation with religious influences. We are not completely on one side of the issue, neither completely secular nor fully religious, but united in complimenting both sides. The United States is a secular nation due to the separation of church and state in public institutions. According to the National Secular Society, secularism is a principle that involves two fundamental propositions. The first is the clear separation of the state from religious institutions. The second is that people of different religions and beliefs are equal before the law. This means that in religious institutions there is a strict separation between the state and people who belong to a religion are equal to those who are not under the law. The United States is a secular nation because there is a clear division between church and state. For example, the division between religious institutions and public institutions is very clear. Both institutions function differently and present different ideas but do not overlap with each other in what they teach. You wouldn't just learn about religion in a public school like you would in a religious school that would focus more on it in the curriculum. That said, there are mutual influences in these places. For example, in public schools, when kids take the Pledge of Allegiance, they say “one nation under God.” Even if its public school and public school distance... middle of paper... they are our currency. The motto “In God We Trust” was not added until 1860 during the Civil War. If these situations in our country had not become present when they occurred, would our country base its beliefs and freedoms in the hands of God? Our country blends the lines of religion and secularism so much that it seems they are not separate at all. Religion impacts our country, our rights, and our freedoms in ways that cannot be seen through a single pair of lenses. It is necessary to separate layers and layers, look back at our history and see how religion has affected and influenced us to understand that the United States of America is not just a secular nation. We are so dependent on religion that political discussions cannot be fought without mentioning God or the Bible at least once. America is not a secular nation but a nation that has a little of both sides.