I appreciate your kind concern, and hasten to reassure you that this does not surprise me at all - nor, had it done so, would it have been fatal. I am in the rudest of cardiovascular health these days.
It doesn't surprise me that you would hear it from politicians and TV evangelists - they make a living by knowing their audience, after all. I don't pay much attention to either group, so I have heard it mostly from family, friends, neighbors and colleagues.
If you say so. I'm really not interested in arguing on here whether America is in fact a "Christian country," according to the definition above or any other. The question was one of usage - or rather, of my grasp of usage - and I think I've demonstrated that adequately.
There was an Arminian branch as well at one point - a generation or two later - but it fizzled out almost completely. Then the Calvinist branch split in two, and most modern-day Baptist churches derive from the general-atonement, pro-evangelism side of that split.
You'll find plenty of essays by Zwinglians explaining what's wrong with Calvinism and vice versa. I am not sufficiently interested in the details to be able to explain them precisely or faithfully.
I'm American, and I will say that I feel more religion pressed upon me here than in the US.
For example, you will likely come to be notice if you try to wash your car on a Sunday. You won't be able to do a lot of shopping on Sundays. When you walk into the wilderness, you'll find it dotted with churches. You will likely hear church bells on a regular basis. And you will be forced to take day offs on religious holidays.
Those who tell you that Switzerland is not a religious country are talking out of their own self-delusion.
Having a day off for Good Friday doesn't make one religious, it just makes one European.
Acknowledging it or not, ignoring it or not, or whatever attitude you choose to have about it, the reality of it is there. The curtail on your activities is not on a voluntary basis.
It's a bit like the existence of a queen in England - so it makes me a subject instead of a citizen... and?
Traditional remnants of past beliefs do not mean those beliefs are still powerful and meaningful. Are you a worshipper of Mithras because you have a day off on December 25th, or are you merely enjoying the benefits of a common culture, parts of which derive from past religious practices?
Like I said, you can dream up whatever attitude you would like towards the way things work in Switzerland. Though it may not be your religion, you are living within its influence. Though you are just as welcome to deny it.
I wash my car on Sundays regardless. But then, its a hobby of mine to transgress traditions.
I was shocked when I visited a Baptist church in Russia. The communion wine had alcohol in it!
In what other ways does Christianity influence my life?
Does it stop me shopping on a Sunday? Er...no.
Does it make me get up early for communion on a Sunday? Er... no.
Does it mean I can't do my laundry on High Days and Holy Days? Er... no.
Cultural traditions and religious practice are not the same thing, even if you'd like them to be.
the rest is all personal views and convictions.
I once practised a religion, but I just couldn't get it right so I gave up!