What defines separation of church and State?

Question

Since I am a beleiver in the commandment of not worshipping idols, why do my taxes support monuments such as mount rushmore, lincoln monument, Statue of liberty, etc?
Should I not have a right to refuse to pay taxes if my taxes are going against my freedom of religion rights?

Since I am to be judged by what I accept on this earth, and my responsibility is to God, should I accept the version of others ideas of religion or my own?

Answer 1

Therein lies part of your answer: Religion.

Are the US monuments worshiped as religious objects? I would say, hopefully not.

"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.”

Now, the way you interpret that scripture does effect your point of view. The Puritans saw any image, religious or otherwise, as breaking the second commandment. However, that this can be a little extreme (in my opinion), because this view would also include art of all kinds, photos, even lawn ornaments (deer, elfs et al).

For an overview of “Separation of church and state”, look at what Wikipedia (under “Overview of the principle”) has to say about it. It’s quite thorough.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_church_and_state

Answer 2

This is something you need to discuss with the goverment.

The seperation of church and state is a s followed.

1. The goverment will not establish a state church which all citizans must attend or belong to. Nore can the goverment prohibbit the freedom of any church from practicing inside the states.

2. The Church will not run, interfare, or try to impose there befiefs on the goverment. They will remain two separete insitiutions apart from each other.

Note: At the time of this idea, the idea of muliple religous was unheard of, they assumed a collection of different Chritian church in the US, and therefor could make laws following the moral codes of that religion without causing harm.

About the idol thing: I don't belive we worship Mt. Rushmore or the Monuments, they are to remember our past leaders and prinsibles of this country. There is a difference between a mounument and an idol. If you are still convinced it's wrong, contact the Goverment and talk with them. Try the IRS. Also, talk with your church leaders about it.

Think this way, you arn't worshiping if you are forced to pay, unless you give willingly such as an offering, you arn't worshiping them. The Jews in the Romen Empire were forced to pay taxes which funded the temples of there Gods. Jesus said "Pay Ceaser what is due Ceaser, but pay God what is due God", I know I messed that quote up, but it still applies.

Answer 3

While the words seperation of church and state do not appear in the Constitution, it is the following section that implies such........The constitution states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Both the free exercise clause and the establishment clause place restrictions on the government concerning laws they pass or interfering with religion. No restrictions are placed on religions except perhaps that a religious denomination cannot become the state religion. I do not understand or agree with your problem with Mount Rushmore, Statue of Liberty, etc. These are not religious monuments and therefore your argument that your taxes should not pay for such things is a mute point.

Answer 4

Refering back to history, a lot of the original immigrants to America came because they were persecuted in their home country for their particular religion. One of the big issues facing the founding fathers was the mandatory membership in England's national church (i.e., the Church of England). Thus, the original point of the "separation of church" concept was that the blossoming federal gov't would not have the power to establish a national religion. With that as the background, the courts have "expanded" that concept to mean (rightly or wrongly) that gov't's cannot do anything that has any taint of a religion (a slight overstatement).

But to your point of paying taxes when taxes go to support things that you do not agree with - suck it up. No one is 100% satisfied with how the gov't spends their money. And as someone so aptly pointed out (even though they assumed you were a Christian), Jesus was an advocate for paying your taxes.

If it'll help you sleep better at night, assume every dime you pay in taxes goes to social programs and helps the poor.

And please quit focusing on your rights ("Marsha, Marsha, Marsha"). What about your responsibilities?

Answer 5

And how are those monuments related to religion? You don't have to worship them as idols, but as a citizen you WILL support for them with your taxes. If you do not believe in this country then get the hell out. You have that freedom afforded you.

Answer 6

Who is worshipping the Statue of Liberty? Are people paying homage at the Lincoln Memorial, holding prayers to Abe? LOL.

Answer 7

The separation of church and State was intended to prevent the government from interfering with churches. Your fight against what you call "idol" worship is frivolous. You have the presidents' picture on currency do you find that offensive too?

Answer 8

There is nothing in the constitution that has any thing to do with seperating church and state.

There is however a clause stating that the state cannot form a national religion.

Answer 9

What is religious about Mount Rushmore, Lincoln Memorial,
Statue of Liberty,etcetc!!!???? It's not in the US Constitution.
If you find it, tell us about it.

Answer 10

No. The commandment deals with idols as representation of Gods, not of men or ideas.

Jesus also said "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s"