Separation of Church and State, A Traditional American Value

By John R. Gibson

The Separation of Church and State is underappreciated and misunderstood. America has avoided the Religious Wars of other nations and many different religions continue to live together in peace. Now the harmony and peace of society is threatened by the "pious coalition".

Unfortunately, people in both major political parties now believe they can gain political favor by catering to the generally good feelings citizens have about their own church and religion in general. The War on Drugs, the War on Poverty and other government policies have decimated communities to where many people have only their local church to feel connected to society at large. They may be afraid to talk to their neighbor, but they feel safe embracing someone in the next pew. The esteem people feel for religion, I think, is due largely to our two hundred year policy of Separation of Church and State. In Europe, where particular religions are established by law, religion is much less esteemed by society as a whole.

Now propaganda from a group I like to call the "pious coalition" threatens the harmony and peace of society. They believe they are strong enough to use government to force their beliefs on others. One of their favorate claims is that the words "Separation of Church and State" are not in the Constitution. Perhaps they feel they have found a clever way to lie without actually lying. While that phrase is not used in the Constitution itself, the principle is still part of the First Amendment. I can illustrate this idea with another example from the Constitution known as Double Jeopardy. It is true that the words "Double Jeopardy" do not appear together. What the Fifth Amendment says is, "nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy..." Scholars, lawyers, historians and others universally call this principle, Double Jeopardy.

Even though many thought it would jeopardize his political career, Thomas Jefferson still was a strong advocate of the "Wall" between Church and State. The Baptists of his day supported the idea since they had not been one of the favored denominations and had suffered for it. Today the Southern Baptists are one of the largest denominations. They have voted to resend their former support of Separation, apparently because they feel they are now in a position to dominate other smaller denominations. What irony! As one who was taught about religious freedom in a Southern Baptist sunday school, I am embarrassed by my former denomination's actions.

As a current member of the Libertarian Party I signed a pledge that says, "I do not believe in or advocate the initiation of force as a means of achieving political or social goals". This means that, among other things, I do not support the moral crusades of the right or the social engineering of the left. In a peaceful, civil society, we must respect the rights, wishes and freedom of others - even if they think or act different. Call this the ultimate "good neighbor" policy.

One example of how this principle is currently violated in America is the "pious coalition's" support of prayers at official government functions. Although Moslems, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Wiccans, Atheists and others also pay taxes, some christians seem less interested in fairness and more concerned with the use of raw power. However, if you believe the New Testament, then christians with a "holier than thou" attitude are violating a direct order from Jesus. In Matt. 6:5-6 he seems to say that if you are a follower of his, then you will never pray in public. He criticizes hypocrites for doing things only to be "seen of men".

After verse 6 Jesus goes on to give a humble prayer, now called the Lord's Prayer, to be said in private at home in your "closet" (KJV). If they truly believe their beliefs are worthy of respect, then the "pious coalition" should "trust and obey" the words of their master. Even Gandhi warned that people can become what they say they hate.