Why do some people feel that religion has a place in government?

Question

The founding fathers never intended for religion to be a part of our goverment, the proof of that is everywhere!!!! From the first amendment, to the quotes of our founding fathers: James Madison said " The goverment of the United states is in no way founded on the christian religion, Thomas jefferson said "I contemplate with sovereign reverence that the act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should ' make no laws respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' Thus building a wall of separation between church and state." , and their are many other examples but im running out of room.... And for those of you that still think that you can mix religion and goverment, Just what religion do you suggest we make our goverment?? Believe it or not not every american is Christian, What about the other religions, they have the right to whorship as they see fit and to make our Government one religion says others arent welcome.

I never said it dosnt have a place in society, I dont think it has a place in Govenment, If its in society where its not forced upon others I have no problem with it.

And Yes Im well aware that seperation of church and state is not mentiond in the consitution, the Jefferson Quote is from a letter Jefferson wrote on Jan 1,1801.

Answer 1

Because they're religious, and as such, they believe that everything should be centered in and around Jesus and the Bible.
Whether you agree with them, or not.

Answer 2

Actually, the country was founded by men who had a basic Christian ethos and worldview. I can give you plenty of quotes (or could if I had all day) from the founding fathers pointing out how no country can last without being blessed and founded by God (people who said the above include George Washington and Ben Franklin).

You don't understand, apparently, the first amendment. It says that congress shall pass no law creating a religion or infringing on the rights of people to practice their religion freely.

The whole point was to avoid having a state church, such as the founders of our country had fled from in the European states.

They didn't want to eliminate Christianity from the public square (the way the ACLU is trying to do now), the purpose of the first amendment was to keep government out of religion, not religion out of government.

This is the actual meaning of the first amendment.

If that were not so, then why did congress spend tax money for the printing of Bibles? Surely, if your view is correct, they would never have done that, but they did!!

If that is not so, then why, at this same time, did the original colonies all have state-supported churches which were paid for by the taxpayers of the colonies?

Even THIS was not seen as conflicting with the first amendment.

Quite aware of the above, the US Supreme Court ruled in 1892, in the Trinity case, that "We are a Christian nation."

Hmm, seems to me that if Christianity were meant (by the founding fathers) to have been prohibited from public life (including government), then the US Supreme Court would have understood it that way, but they didn't. They understood that we are, One Nation, Under God, and founded by a group that had a Christian ethos, a Christian concensus, and the Bible is the basis (even according to Newsweek back in 1995) of America's laws.

By the way, the line: "the separation of church and state" is NOT in the US Constitution, even tho' the ACLU and media have convinced a huge number of Americans that it is.

Answer 3

GrandPoobah is right. It definately goes both ways.

All it takes is a look over the history of humanity to see why religion in politics is a VERY bad idea. Your religion should be in your home, with your family or yourself. NOT forced upon other people.

Granted, the US was founded upon Christian ideology, but if anyone has read Benjamin Franklin's biographies, you'll know that even he changed the wording from:
"We hold these truths to be sacred..." to
"We hold these truths to be self-evident", all in the name of keeping TOO much God out, while allowing a bit of him in.

As we have grown into a nation of many diverse cultures and religions, however, it is more important to think about why we want to insert more Christianity into our courts and laws. Why would we wish to alienate people that work hard for this country who may be followers of Buddah?

The basics of the laws written were from the bible, it cannot be denied. To try to insert more of the bible into our laws in this day in age is exactly opposite from what we should be doing to foster a country that welcomes all.

There *is* such a thing as non-biblical morality - we shouldn't need the bible or god to tell us to behave ourselves and tolerate others with differing beliefs. This is why prayer shouldn't be in school, and no more god than what is already there should be put into our government.

Answer 4

a government becomes nullified and more like a church or a church state if it adheres to any religion. Religion should not be part of a gov. if that gov. is to work and have people with different religious viewpoints in its society.
The USA is not on big Fu**ing christian church. I believe in God and it would be a disaster if the church and state weren't separate.
Thank God the founding forefathers understood this. It is too bad that many people now don't. There are even people that think the "whites" are superior. But they don't understand that that is inferring that God made a mistake in making the other races. Don't forget Hitler was of Jewish dissent you "church in gov. advocates". It is too hard for the unwise to look into the future and see the problems that their actions will cause.

Answer 5

"How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy. The effects are apparent in many countries. Improvident habits, slovenly systems of agriculture, sluggish methods of commerce, and insecurity of property exist wherever the followers of the Prophet rule or live.

"A degraded sensualism deprives this life of its grace and refinement; the next of its dignity and sanctity. The fact that in Mohammedan law every woman must belong to some man as his absolute property, either as a child, a wife, or a concubine, must delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased to be a great power among men.

"Individual Moslems may show splendid qualities, but the influence of the religion paralyses the social development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists in the world. Far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytizing faith. It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising fearless warriors at every step; and were it not that Christianity is sheltered in the strong arms of science, the science against which it had vainly struggled, the civilization of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilization of ancient Rome."

Sir Winston Churchill (The River War, first edition, Vol. II, pages 248-50, London: Longmans, Green Co., 1899).

Answer 6

A "reconstructualist", a follower of the doctrine of theonomy, which in one definition, are those that believe that the world should be taken over and managed by god's "elect". Also called "dominionism" (possibly a different take on reconstructionism.)
This point of view was first popularized in the 70's by R.J. Rushdoony, who also belived that Old Testament Law is still in effect and should govern people accordingly.
Im not exactly sure of the theology, but I think the doctrine precludes, or would prevent a "rapture" from occuring according to Revalations in the bible, the christian take on the end of the world.

Answer 7

In fact, our founding fathers had a great reverence for diety... "We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal.. that they are endowed by our creator with certain inaliable rights... " etc. Unfortunately, there are those on both sides of the fence that wish religion could be used as a political ploy and try often. As a soldier, student of law and politics, and I believe a true follower of my faith, I always answer questions like this as... a person will always vote according to the dictates of their concience. If that means it is based upon religion, there will always be a way for religion to bias politics.

Answer 8

Honestly I belive that some of the statements made are highly misinterpreted and that America was founded and structured around the principals and standards of Christianity. People had much better values and morals then and crime was rarely heard of. It is such a pity these days that those very honorable characteristic traits this mighty nation proudly displayed no longer seems valuable to most people, even Christians themselves.

Answer 9

You must watch a lot of tv . they've completely programed your mind. turn off the tv ,take a deep breath .and do some actual research for yourself. Yes the American nation was founded on Christian Ideals and principals.The separation of church and state you quoted is not in the constitution and was in fact amended in the 1800s. Do you feel better now knowing the truth?I recommend leaving your tv off until you feel better. I'll be sending my bill for treatment

Answer 10

it consistently has undesirable outcomes in a democracy because of the fact the choose of a few is pushed on the government. The few have followers yet many of the time does not comply with the extremes of the non secular leaders like James Dobson. easily i think of if human beings rather knew the Dobson guy they might make him close his concentration team. this is the non secular communities like this armed camp in Colorado that fairly make damaging impacts on government. The PTL and different have compelled the government to evaluate stupid issues like merry Christmas and satisfied holiday as a replace of actual themes. government must be free of the littleness of the non secular Bigots that talk for this way of super kind of and Do not something better than take the peoples money for their on pleasures..

Answer 11

"Religious" people think THEIR beliefs is the only one that counts. If someone doesn't follow what they feel is a good Christian life, then that person is lesser than they.

A true christian is suppose to be accepting of others, love them and show them compassion. But instead they want to stand on the pulpit and compare them to Osama, Saddam or the Devil.

Not everybody believes in Christianity, and that is their right.
You can have your kid pray in school if that's what you want, but don't try to make mine if that's not what me or my kids want.
Don't force your beliefs on those who have their own!

Freedom OF religion also means Freedom FROM religion!
More wars have been fought over religion than for any other reason.

Its like George W. said:

"Your either with US, or your with the TERRORISTS!"