Why is it SO many people in this country do not understand that the "Separation of Church & State" refers to keeping the government out of the church and not the church out of the government? Please research your answer before typing...I'd hate for you to embarass yourself
2006-07-23 10:14:52 · 15 answers · asked by exec_chef_greg 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
That was one of the dumbest statements that I have ever heard. You're actually going to try to tell me that our founding fathers, who worked hard to guarantee a free country where all have equal rights, decided that it was wrong for the government to interfere in church affairs, but that the church had the ability to meddle in government affairs? That is completely illogical and goes against principals of equality and freedom.
2006-07-23 10:19:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
There has always been power struggle between the church and government(s), traceable back to the Holy Roman Empire. Somehow, they screwed up way back and now we have so many different governments all over the world.
In this day and age, I think most people would agree that all the laws provided by the bible and the 10 commandments are less than complete in our legal system.
Know that the situation is developed with human perspectives and has limitations. Where government drops off, the church could pickup and keep the government in check by voicing its opinion.
Some people are all frustrated because of the confusions caused by the conflicting split of the church and the state.
For little people who has little or no faith, staying out of the way of the long arms of laws would be priority.
For those who wanted to say something or even do something about it, there are ways you could voice your opinions or behave. But please be reminded that not everyone may agree.
It is not a perfect system, but it is under permanent construction.
Tough world, so deal with it.
2006-07-23 11:23:23 · answer #2 · answered by : ) 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
partly because its been redefined so many times
the original quote was "the garden of the church should be protected by a high wall of seperation from the howling m wildreness of the world" Roger WIlliams long before the constitution
the framers knew well the language of seperation in this context and passed over it to use the establishment clause instead
for about 80 years following the constitution various states had their own endorses state religion, I think the last to end was Massachusetts and many funded mission to American Indians and religious schools. To them the issue was several
1) no federal regligion
2) churches might be able to discipline menbers as they needed
without governmetn interference
3) the church should not be corrupted by governemtent
4) the church and the state are individual accoutnable to God but not to eachother
5) they would try not to repeat the mistakes of an overly oppressive europe of the 15th and 16th centuries
in the 20th century the phrase became more popular and was pulled out of context to what it because today and was more to the liking of a substantially more secular world
so now the government religion is secularism, a competitor for other religious views
2006-07-23 10:17:06 · answer #3 · answered by whirlingmerc 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe the twofold purpose, of protecting the Church from the State, and protecting the state from corrupt members of the church, cause this difficulty. I agree there is not a proper understanding, and Tocqueville outlines it very well in his book on American Democracy. Especially the parts talking about civil freedom being rooted in religious freedom.
2006-07-23 10:19:51 · answer #4 · answered by ingamit2006 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because rather then believe in fundie irrationalism that says it isn't, one looks at the FACTS, such as the Bill of Rights, the amendments, and the original intent of the Founding Fathers to keep the church OUT of government.
2006-07-23 10:24:55 · answer #5 · answered by mike_castaldo 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are actually completely wrong. It goes both ways. The founding fathers (if YOU do YOUR research) didn't want church to have anything to do with or any say in government. They saw what that did with the Church of England, and didn't want that here.
Don't throw stones if you live in a glass house buddy.
2006-07-23 10:19:36 · answer #6 · answered by miketorse 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In the words of Jefferson, the clause against establishment of religion by law was intended to erect 'a wall of separation between Church and State'."
This has become increasingly important, particularly in light of the huge danger that fundamentalist Christianity represent to the USA, whe world, and humanity in general.
2006-07-23 10:52:11 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't think it's ignorance. I think they simply want to believe it means 'no religion in gov't'. But really, until about the 1950's, this was never an issue. The Supreme Court even defined this nation as a Christian Nation at one time. It's really just a misdirect by the old Communist weapon against the US that we know today as the ACLU.
2006-07-23 10:25:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think it started with O'hare and the prayer in school case when the Supreme court ruled in her favor.That decision for all purposes rewrote the 1st amendment.
2006-07-23 10:23:12 · answer #9 · answered by ? 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As long as you go to the same church as me, that's just fine.
Otherwise be prepared to worship the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
Other than that I disagree with you. And so does the IRS
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20060718/23047.htm
2006-07-23 10:21:43 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋