Iran's appeal to religious authorities for a binding decision on a national election struck me as odd. Or quaint. Or ominous.

As an American, I've never had to worry about a religious potentate or a group of ministers deciding for all of us who our next president would be.

Somehow, though, the developments in Iran made me think of my recent appearance on Jack Pattie's radio call-in program on WVLK-590 AM.

The question that morning was whether the United States is a "Christian nation." Quite a few callers had strong opinions, pro and con.

I find that whole issue thorny.

Iran, for instance, obviously is a Muslim nation; it's a theocracy.

But in what sense is America "Christian"? Here are a few thoughts:

The people who argue that America was founded as a Christian nation rarely define what they mean. They might be right; they might be wrong. It depends entirely on how you use the words "Christian nation."