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July 16, 2001 ___ COMMENTARY: Religious freedom and separation of church and state ___By Sean Holster ___The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America states as follows: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." ___Since the beginning of our nation Americans have demanded the right of religious freedom, without persecution or grievance. In a letter written to the Baptist of Danbury, Connecticut, President Thomas
___The debates have varied from the intent of the First Amendment and the letter of the law to the extent that it is and should be exercised. Controversy such as this continues to raise questions in the minds of patriots as old as the Constitution itself. Under what medium can government and religion be linked? Where must the line of separation between the church and the state be drawn? Each side brings with them equally coherent points, yet, in the end, the verdict lies the people. ___ As Christians, where must we stand? Does the apparent separation serve to protect our freedom, or to prevent it? By exploring the arguments from both sides of the issue, we can better understand our patriotism, but, more importantly, we can strengthen our faith. ___ One side of the issue claims that because the phrase "separation of church and state" never appears in the constitution, its relevance to constitutional matters is void. The authors of the constitution never intended for such a separation to exist; the First Amendment simply assured America that the government would never create a national denomination. An online site called Jeremiah project claims that the First Amendment was created so that "there would be no established, national church for the united thirteen states… there would be no ‘Church of the United States’."2 ___ The actual intent of the authors of the constitution was to create a nation based on the teachings of the Bible. In fact, author and historian David Barton tells of a study done by scholars at the University of Houston, which concluded that of the over 15,000 writings from the founders on democracy and freedom, 94% of the quotes used were based directly or indirectly on the scriptures.3 In fact, in 1777, resolved that the first Thursday of May was to be dedicated for prayer for forgiveness from God for any sins the country may have committed and to ask for strength in the was with Britain.4 ___This exemplifies the Founding Fathers’ intent not to strike religion from the government, but only to prevent religion from being controlled or legislated by the government. ___ Since the 1960s, however, we have seen a complete reversal from these decisions. In the 1962, Engle v. Vitale removed prayer from public school; the case Abington v. Schempp prohibited scripture reciting; Stone v. Graham, a 1980 case, restricted schools from posting the Ten Commandments on the basis that "it will…induce the school children to read, meditate upon, perhaps to venerate and obey the commandments."5 As recently as the summer of 2000, in Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe, the Supreme Court ruled that prayer during extracurricular activities is impermissible.6 ___ Such cases were ruled to be unconstitutional, yet the makers of our constitution clearly state that God must be the focus of our nation. The Father of our country, George Washington, stated as much: "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars?"7 ___ Founding Father John Quincy Adams went a step further, claiming that our mission as a nation must be to spread the Gospel: ___ "Is it not that, in the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior? That it forms a leading event in the progress of the gospel dispensation? Is it not that the Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer’s mission upon earth? That is laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity?"8 ___ Our nation, conceived in liberty, is built on the foundations of God. No matter how much politicians or the courts try to compel otherwise, we are one nation under God. For us to return America to its once-Godly foundation, we must take an active stance in our faith, making it known to all men that our unalienable rights are endowed to us only by our Creator. ___ On the other hand, "separation of church and state" may have been our greatest ally in assuring religious liberty. The government has maintained its resolve to protect religion without legislating it. As Christians, we must understand that it isn’t the government’s job to uphold our beliefs, or to influence others to them. In a recent report, Richard I. McNeely states that "though there is always a hue and cry about original intent, it is apparent that such argumentation is of little authority in modern pluralistic society. The religious scene in the United States today bears little resemblance to that of Colonial America."9 ___ Indeed, our nation has become much more vast and diverse since the original thirteen colonies. As our nation’s boundaries have grown and expanded, so have the people that inhabit it. The very heart of democracy is that it is the government of the people, for the people, it is not only right, then, that others receive the same rights that we uphold? As Buddhist, Muslims, Islam, Confucionists, Scientologists, Atheists, Agnostics, or any other religions or beliefs, emerge in America, so must our tolerance. Though we, as Christians, may not agree with their teachings, we must love them as Christ loved us; faith must be an action of the heart, not of the courts. ___ In concurrence with the freedoms provided by the constitution, Justice John Paul Stevens, concluded of the S.F.I.S.D v. Doe decision, "School sponsorship of a religious message is impermissible because it sends the ancillary message to members of the audience who are not adherents that they are outsiders, not full members of the political community."10 Our God has commanded us to bring others to a saving knowledge of Him; we must not be so complacent as to rely on a government or a school to become our witness. ___ If it truly is "In God We Trust," we will realize that Christ did not come to force others into submission. Our faith, just as every other American’s personal belief, is protected by the constitution; to make our faith real to others, we need only to exhibit true love and compassion. ___ It is evident that on either side resolution and the embrace of liberty can be found. Yet while each viewpoint claims to be the answer to the continuance of freedom, where, as Christians must we place our support and belief? The answer, quite simply, can be found in the Word of the One for whom we fight: "But choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…"11 Our life, liberty, and happiness have never been under the auspices of any nation, government, or ideology, nor will it ever by. The Christians of today must realize that in God alone must our faith lie, regardless of whether or not our government and society supports our stance or not. We must consciously decide to follow only his true word, the truth that has transcended all time and critique. "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."12 In Him alone does the foundation of our lives, as individuals under His grace, rest. 1 Jefferson, Thomas. Jefferson Writings, Merrill D. Peterson, ed. (NY: Literary Classics of the United States, Inc., 1984), p. 510, January 1, 1802. 2 Jeremiah Project. "Separation of Church and State." 25 June 2000. 24 February 2001. <http://www.jeremiahproject.com/ch_state.html>. 3 America’s Godly Heritage. Dir. Barton, David. "The Myth of Separation," "America: to Pray or Not to Pray." WallBuilders, Inc. 1992. 4 America’s Godly Heritage. Dir. Barton, David. "The Myth of Separation," "America: to Pray or Not to Pray." WallBuilders, Inc. 1992. 5 Biblical Reflections: Separation of Church and State? "National Neglect." 21 February 2001. http://www.ptw.com/~m5on14/patriots/neglect.html>. 6 Scaly, Geraldine. "Court Bans Pre-Game Prayer." 19 June 2000. ABCNews.com. 23 February 2001. <http://abcnew.go.com/sections/us/DailyNews/scotus_footballprayerruling_000619.html>. 7 Barton, David. America’s Godly Heritage. WallBuilders, Inc. 1992 8 Barton, David. America’s Godly Heritage. WallBuilders, Inc. 1992 9 McNeely, Richard. "The Secularizing of the Faith: Recent Supreme Court Decisions Regarding Religion." -Premise. Volume II, Number 6. 27 July 1995, p. 8. 10 Sealy, Geraldine. "Court Bans Pre-Game Prayer." 19 June 2000. ABCNews.com. 23 February 2001. <http://abcnew.go.com/sections/us/DailyNews/scotus_footballprayerruling_000619.html>. 11 Bible. Joshua 24:15. New International Version. 12 Bible. John 8:32. New International Version. ___ Baptist Standard ___ ___ ___Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE! |