do you feel there should be a seperation of church and state?

Answer 1

Most countries already have a seperation written right into thier constitution...but there have been times I wish the church had more pull.

+D

Answer 2

Absolutely, yes.

The founders (which, at a low [Colonel in the Revolutionary Army] level happened to include my Great Grandfather with 12 greats) intended freedom of religion to exist. Freedom of religion cannot exist without separation of Church and State. There are over 1400 variations on Christianity alone in this country -- to say nothing of other faith traditions. Which one is right? Even if you say that Christianity should be established, which one? If you go for "the original faiths that were here at the founding" then you support the establishment of five Churches -- The United Church of Christ, the Episcopal Communion, the Reform, the Unitarians and the Congregationalists. That would be fine with me, as four of the five are on the Left and the fifth is heavily divided -- but then what do you do about the Conservative Churches that claim (with absolutely no proof or historical support, by the way) that they are older? For that matter what do you do with Roman Catholocism, which has the largest number of members, and worldwide is certainly oldest ?

The doctrines of the Christian subgroups vary more than you realize. My parish for example, a very vibrant parish that has grown enormously over the last 30 years, supports gay marriage, equal rights for racial minorities and women, social and economic justice for all groups and progressive energy policies. Do you really think that having Churches and denominations like mine "established" would please those on the other side? Likewise, how do you think we and those like us would feel about Churches that oppose gay rights, don't even give lip service to justice and are anti-environmental being established?

What would happen if the country attempted to establish a faith is that the secular people (who compose more than 50% of the nation's citizens, even by the most optimistic projections) would make the final decision -- and all the faiths would lose.

Separation of Church and State is best for everyone in America.

Thank you.

Reynolds C. Jones
Schenectady, NY
http://www.rebuff.org
[e-mail]

Answer 3

There already is seperation of Church and State. But the Bush administration is going to fix that for you. With the help of the loud mouthed "right" wing "Christians".

Answer 4

Definitely. I don't want ANY religion making laws for me and my family. And I don't think the Gov't should be dictating to religions how they should be. I wonder how many churches would stand for the Gov't making laws in favor of Catholicism (as it is the largest denomination in Christianity) while leaving other denom's out. This would never work in America. We're too stubborn to put up with it. LOL

Answer 5

Because religious belief, or non-belief, is such an important part of every person's life, freedom of religion affects every individual. Religious institutions that use government power in support of themselves and force their views on persons of other faiths, or of no faith, undermine all our civil rights. Moreover, state support of an established religion tends to make the clergy unresponsive to their own people, and leads to corruption within religion itself. Erecting the "wall of separation between church and state,"
therefore, is absolutely essential in a free society. Jefferson says it best.

"I consider the government of the United States as interdicted by the Constitution from intermeddling with religious institutions, their doctrines, discipline, or exercises. This results not only from the provision that no law shall be made respecting the establishment or free exercise of religion, but from that also which reserves to the states the powers not delegated to the United States. Certainly, no power to prescribe any religious exercise or to assume authority in religious discipline has been delegated to the General Government. It must then rest with the states, as far as it can be in any human authority." --Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Miller, 1808. ME 11:428

"In matters of religion, I have considered that its free exercise is placed by the Constitution independent of the powers of the general government. I have therefore undertaken on no occasion to prescribe the religious exercises suited to it; but have left them as the Constitution found them, under the direction and discipline of State or Church authorities acknowledged by the several religious societies." --Thomas Jefferson: 2nd Inaugural Address, 1805. ME 3:378

"Our Constitution... has not left the religion of its citizens under the power of its public functionaries, were it possible that any of these should consider a conquest over the consciences of men either attainable or applicable to any desirable purpose." --Thomas Jefferson: Reply to New London Methodists, 1809. ME 16:332

Answer 6

actually lots of "liberal" western european states like Sweden or England have an official state support for churches. that is the only way that churches can continue to survive in many of these countries.

but, that doesn't mean it is good. even as the US is drifting down so many bad directions, its protection of basic freedoms, like the separation of church and state, always fills me with pride for our great country.

Answer 7

Only to a certain extent. The origonal seperation was to protect each from the other. but there has to be a certain amount of connection. because the same people comprise both. and each informs our lives. also one is needed to protect us from the misuse of power of the other.

Answer 8

Indeed. If there isn't, the problem lies with WHOSE church and WHAT religion will be "in power". As Americans we have lost so much of what we came here to have already - freedom of religion will probably be next if we're not careful.

Answer 9

no for there should be morality by the church for the state asI feel be case the brits there goverment is built around the cathic church

Answer 10

Depends on your goal. If your goal is to wipe out all people who don't agree with your moral system. By al means combine the two. If you goal is to create a better moral system to live together in peace, keep em separate.