Is There Really Supposed to Be a Separation of Church and State?
The people who constantly chant this phrase are mostly those who want to remove God from our presence. This is so we no longer remain one nation under God, along with the "fringe benefits," so to speak. These people most often have contempt for the founders and they can't get over the fact that slavery once existed, although it did become rectified.
Although we are not meant to be a theocracy, the Constitution does provide for freedom of religion and freedom of speech. The applicable part of the First Amendment reads: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."
Many believe this so-called "establishment clause" represents the "separation of church and state" they so badly want. However, this cannot be, because: (1) The First Amendment is part of the Bill of Rights and the Bill was written exclusively for protection of the people. It is therefore impossible for the "establishment clause" to be two-directional. (2) The Amendment does not state (to the effect): "The people shall not establish sound laws based on their religious convictions, and their moral beliefs shall be banned from society."
Again, the purpose of the Bill of Rights is not to protect the government from the people, nor is it to as establish atheism as a national religion or an imposed way of life. That would represent a restriction on freedom of speech and freedom of religion.
Wikipedia informs us, "The phrase 'separation of church and state' is generally traced to the letter written by Thomas Jefferson in 1802 to the Danbury Baptists, in which he referred to the First Amendment to the United States Constitution as creating a 'wall of separation' between church and state." Jefferson's reason for conveying this had to do with concern of those worshippers that a national religion might be imposed. His letter was a reassurance this wouldn't happen and the separation was understood as being one-directional.
What we really have is a separation of church from state, not a separation of church and state. Freedom of religion, freedom of speech and the freedom to vote based on conscience prevents a separation of church and state, or the ability of Godly people to establish sensible laws in society.
Most of our current laws are, in fact, derived from Judeo-Christian principles. Among these are laws prohibiting murder, stealing and others. If there were actually a separation of church and state, one could argue that these sensible laws could not be put in effect, because religious people shouldn't be allowed to impose their values on others.
The Declaration of Independence is also very noteworthy. Defendingthetruth.com relates how the Declaration states, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Under a separation of church and state, this beautiful principle would be scorned, as the Creator could not be mentioned because of the "separation."
Accepting that the First Amendment protects freedom of religion instead of removing God from society is not fashionable in some circles and there are those who believe that secularism is what America is really all about. "Separation of church and state" is the mantra that supports their belief system and these individuals apparently want the First Amendment interpreted to support their ideals.
I believe there is overwhelming evidence that our founders were people with Judeo-Christian values and this enabled them to provide us with a great, enduring Constitution resulting in a nation that has been blessed. I respectfully submit that a "separation" removing God from our midst does not demonstrate a reasonable mind or character, or a person who is truly informed or educated concerning the subject.
Sources:
en.wikipedia.org
defendingthetruth.com
Published by Marty K.
Involved in various businesses throughout life, including iron & metal, landscape, sales in companies and freelance, business support services. View profile
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- The people who constantly chant this phrase are mostly those who want to remove God from our nation.
- Many believe the so-called "establishment clause" represents "separation of church and state."
- The purpose of the Bill of Rights is not to protect the government from the people.
11 Comments
Post a CommentGreat article! What makes Christianity "better Is That it is founded on a direct revelation from the True and living God. What Ally, Ms. Anthony and Bolick believe is a bunch of man made notions propounded mainly because they are in rebellion against God. Bolick believes in the unscientific atheist evolution myth which he wishes to impose on a society that doesn't believe in it. Christians are in the majority, these other opinions are in the minority, the rights of the minority do not extend to forcing their opinions on the majority. Their opinions are also grossly immoral. The collapse of the Soviet Slave Empire Proved that you cannot have an enduring society founded on immoralism.
Ally, some people have to be subject to others. Either I will be subject to your rules of atheism and gaydom or you will be subjected to mine. So, I favor myself in this instance...call it selfishness. Our laws are founded on Judeo-Christian values and this is one nation under God. Perhaps some people just don't get it, but because they don't that doesn't mean we should change that fact. Also, there is not one single right a "gay" has that others don't have, including the right to marry acccording to what a marriage is. Others are also denied the right marry according to what a marriage isn't. That is called equality. We're not going to change society to accommodate everyone, sorry again. Either sanity or insanity will rule, but please don't fret. It appears your side is scoring outstanding victories and you may win. But not if I can help it and it one of my duties on Earth to try to prevent it. Thanks for participating.
What makes Christianity better than any other religion in America?
What makes it so great that Atheists have to be subjected to the rules of your bible and spiritual beliefs.
Again stop being a hypocrite.
Yeah you want freedom of speech and get it. But claim at the same time that you are so injured and persecuted and not allowed freedom of speech, because someone criticizes your backwards, hypocritical religion.
You feel like you have no freedom of speech, because gays want to be treated like 1st class citizens and treated equally, because they want to be able to married. You don't want that because that's your Special Right and you want to keep it, but deny 2 people of the same sex to express their love for each other.
It's unspoken, but it's not a good idea to name one religion the official religion.
The Wiccan religion believes we are one nation under the god and the goddess.
Question: Is There Really Supposed to Be a Separation of Church and State?
answer: Yes
Just like oil and water don't mix sae goes for government and Church.
Regardless of what the constitution says or implies.
Ms. Anthony: The fears you convey are among the very protections that are provided by a separation of church FROM state (which is one-directional and is also what guarantees freedom of religion).
It's an American to mix state and Church. If church and state were mixed churches would lose their non profit status and would have to pay tax on its' membership contribution.
Also elected official can impose fines on citizens for having ideas and belifs that are diffrent or in opposition with the elected official. ie A christian can fine a jew for working on Sunday or not observing Christmas.
by the same token a jew elected official can fine the Christian for not observing Rosh Hashana, or for beliving / worshiping the Lord Jesus Christ. A muslim can do the same if one refused to go to a Mosque etc....
History and current events make this one so obvious, that it doesn't NEED to be in the constitution! How much evidence do you need to believe that mixing religion with government is a spectacular mistake?
Ralph, I don't believe I've missed the point about what it does say, and we appear to be in agreeement as far as I can tell.
Marty K. may be right about what the establishment clause doesn't say but he completely misses the point about what it DOES say. It says the USA has no official religion and the government can't show preference for one religious group over another.
Some people imagine that this means christians are prevented some expressing opinions. On the contrary, all it means it that christianity itself (or any other religion) can't be officially approved by the government at the exclusion of others. For example, if three Americans (one christian, one muslim, one atheist) all stand up and voice their opinions, the government is required to listen to all three opinions. It would be totally unacceptable if the government invited the christian inside and told the other two to go away because they aren't christian therefore their opinions don't count.
What is the official religion of the USA? We don't have one.
That's what the establishment clause says. Whatever religion you choose to practice