Atheism/Iroquoi democracy

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Expert: - 3/4/2009


Question
Are you familiar with the work by Bruce E. Johansen concerning Benjamin Franklin, the Iroquois and the Rationale for the American Revolution? His work shows a strong correlation between some founding fathers and their relationship w/the Iroquois Confederacy as the inspiration for both the American Revolution and much of the Constitution.  
I am greatly concerned w/the influence of Christianity in our government and appreciate your work.

Answer
I've read only a little bit on the matter, but it didn't seem to me that the IC had a tremendous influence on the Constitution. It's certainly not impossible, though, that they exercised an unconscious inspiration that even the authors didn't entirely recognize or understand.

Atheism

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Austin Cline

Expertise

I can address questions regarding atheism, agnosticism, skepticism, humanism, religious philosophy & history, and arguments both for and against theism. I am also familiar with many of the skeptical and atheist resources in print and on the internet.

Experience

I have been an atheist and a secular humanist for many years. I actively run a site about agnosticism & atheism and attempt to help people understand more about these topics. I have made extensive study of both philosophy and of a wide vareity of religions.

Organizations
I belong to the Freedom From Religion Foundation and the Council for Secular Humanism.

Publications
My writings appear every week on the Agnosticism/Atheism site

Education/Credentials
I have a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and an MA from Princeton University. I have also studied in Germany and Switzerland.

Awards and Honors
Phi Beta Kappa and a Fulbright Scholar.

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