We could reword that....Let's try this instead...
and since some of the worst totalitarian governments over the years have been non-religious, while many non religious people like myself cherish freedom and the founding ideals of our country.
We can have that *like myself* mean me.
Don't forget that is was very religious people, like the founding fathers, that founded this country.
What you say in post 14 is correct, Metmom. I think it doesn’t refute my point at all, but it does make another one.
I may not be personally religious, but I am mindful that the US was founded within a Christian framework, with Christian ethics as guidelines. The ideal of individual freedom which is the unique format of the founding of the US is not specifically Christian IMO, but I freely admit that it flowered only in a Christian society. It’s roots go back to Anglo Saxon days - whether or not those roots go back to pre Christian times, I am not aware.