Speration Of The Church And The State
Essay by 24 • April 13, 2011 • 1,405 Words (6 Pages) • 1,452 Views
Is it possible to separate our divine nature from the governments we create? There has been a conflict on this issue since the beginning of history of the United States of America. Rights have been violated, laws have been broken, and still the battle goes on. I believe that this battle will never end. There are many reason why religion and the government should remain separate, distinct and respected as there own enmities. It is not wise for them to combine, other wise I believe that there will be corruption in the nation.
When the pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock in 1620, they came here for religious freedom. They came here to acknowledge the universal spiritual nature of man, and at the same time keep the activities of church and state as distinct and separate as possible. (One Nation Under God? American history Apr2007 vol42)
To keep separation between the church and the state; would that mean that a religious man can not have political views? Or that a political man has to be an atheist when he is in office? On the contrary, we as people have the simplistic nature of faith and order as basic instincts. I think that what is to be expected is that the laws are to be followed, and our faith is to be respected. We have man made laws that conflict with our religious believes and that is where the Constitution plays a pivotal "referee" role. But it is not impossible to have the two coincide with out actually being known or considered one organization or denomination. So how do they cope until this conflict is resolved?
The state must not use any religious persuasion on there behalf or at the expense of others to make law or pass bills. No specific religious denomination should be allowed to use government property, money, or power to promote there believes. Neither state nor church can appose there practices on one another. (Lynn, Barry W.)1997.
There are millions of people who have different faiths, and for this reason there is the Constitution of the United States of America.
The Constitution was proposed on September 17th 1787, and became effective March 4th of 1789. (America was founded on Christian Principles, Summit Ministries, Greenhaven Press, 2002)
In the beginning of the Constitution called the Preamble, it clearly states," We the people of the United States, in order to perform a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessing of liberty to our selves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the United States of America."(Constitution)Sec.1 P.1
Although this isn't a source of power for either the state or the church, it's a powerful statement in its self.
The goal is to protect everyone's religious rights, whether your Catholic, Baptist, Buddhist or even Agnostic. The idea of excluding "God" from the government is our right. It states that we should take care of each other and not the government takes care of us, or has its thumb down on us.
The government is trying to unite the two sides feverishly and maybe even secretively. The church does not want any part of it, and neither do the people. I've come to believe that everything happens for a reason. There are no coincidences. In my research on this topic I have come up with a theory about the government. I believe that the government is already corrupt, and they are just trying to have total control. I believe that they want to turn this country into a capitalistic monarchy.
In 1789 George Washington passed the inaugural of swearing an oath of office on the Holy Bible saying "so help me god." (Wolfe, A.) Sept.2002. Just one way to secure a stepping stone to unite the church with the state? I would say so. Would you agree that the governments' sly and slippery hands are trying to molest and taint the sanctity of our divinity? I wonder what swearing upon the holy bible before god has anything to do with man made legislate.
Then in 1864, "In God We Trust" was printed on the United States government currency. Subtle and blunt, this little stamp is another way to get that much deeper into the church with out having to cause dispute. There were some submissions of rebuttal by ministers that just happened to hear about what was to happen. They wrote letters stating things such as "What if our republic is shattered beyond recognition" or "One fact touching our currency has hitherto been overlooked. I mean the recognition of the almighty God in some coin?"("In God We Trust", Treasurer Learning Vault,) 2003. Can you see the madness? I believe that the government is on a rampage. They are feverishly trying to tear down the wall of separation between the church and the state.
In 1942 the Supreme Court ruled that all public school students were required to join in prayer during the pledge of allegiance. This demand became very controversial and was fought for many years, and finally was made the chose of the individual in 1961. (American History apr2007, vol42. Issue 1 p 30-31, 2p) There are plenty of occasions where justice has prevailed. Such as the Everson vs. the Board of Education case. Everson assured the state that they could not, and would not apply a national
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