Separation of Church and State

Religion is a volatile topic (ironic since most people say that it was meant to bring peace and love) that always inspires vitriolic sentiment and violent outbursts. People have been burned at the stake, fed to the lions, shot in firing squads, hung, disowned, and sent to coventry for professing their faith. 9/11 set the stage for religous fervor with many people speaking against Islam and Muslims and expressing all manner of opinions (not very steeped in fact for the most part).

I have watched the changes in government with trepidation. We are on the brink of being like other governments that we speak out so vocally about. The Ten Commandments cannot be on the judicial walls because it signifies a preference of a religion (I am interpreting my understanding of the context of the argument). What happened to our history? America was a country that people RAN to when they were undergoing religious persecution. It's very foundation is full of reference to God and the Bible. If we get rid of the things that built this country, aren't we getting rid of the essence that made this country great?
The debate over what seperation of Church and State means, has been long and drawn out. I am a simple citizen and this is what it means to me - in this point in time it means that any other faith has a right to practice and teach what they believe without fear of sanction or censure, but I can't mention the name of God, especially in a public forum. It means that my child can't sing about God in school without invoking a discussion about whether allowing her to sing her song violates the seperation of church and state laws. It means that I can practice Satanism, Witchcraft or any other religion and share it freely, but must not talk about Christianity, in case I offend the Agnostics and Atheists. It means that everyday that I want to talk about what makes me who I am (and religion helps define who you are - it is part of your character building makeup) I run the risk of offending intolerant people who are constantly talking about tolerance as it relates to anyone but Christians. From the removal of the Ten Commandments Monument in Alabama, to the refusal to teach creationism as another theory, next to evolution, there is a consistent move by State to mandate how and where religion should be practised. Why not present everything that is out there and let the children make an informed decision. We allow our children to be exposed to many things that even a secular world deems as dangerous and a bad influence, yet balk at the thought of our children learning about God, perish the thought! In 2000, the U.S. Supreme Court banned students from leading prayers at high school football games. The mandate still leaves grey areas that are subject to interpretation. Do we allow student led prayers at graduation? If so, will we determine that we will tolerate all prayers, regardless of the religion? Who gets to decide? Church or State? Will churches be willing to sit through an Muslim prayer? Or a Hindu rite?

Perhaps the answer is really simple. Just believe what you believe, live your life like you believe what you say you believe, and treat everyone with respect and love. If anyone watches you and sees a difference that makes them want what you have, they will come to you and ask to hear more. I don't think that the state nor the church should force anyone to do something they don't want to do. God doesn't. We all have a choice. Here is what the statement on the separation of Church and State says:

This is the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion"

This is the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

I take that to mean that Congress cannot stop me from exercising my right to express my religious beliefs as long as I don't force others to believe as I do. They can always walk away, but I should be allowed to practice my religion. Churches can't go and determine how the masses should live. We should set the examples that, hopefully, people will follow. The waters are getting muddy. Churches want to be able to influence legislation but don't want to be ruled by legislature. You can't swim in the water with the crocodiles without getting bitten. Churches run the risk of trying to get the legislature to fit their doctrines (as wide and varied as they are) and could end up putting us back into the Dark Ages, when thinking differently was discouraged. Perhaps we should deal with things this way:

Let God take care of the church, and let the government take care of the business of running the country.