Why does seperation of church and state not apply both ways?

Question

An axiom.
Government can't interfere with the practice of one's religion, but religion can interfere with the direction of one's government.

Yes, of course fear the day Muslim religion would determine the path of our government.

To conduct a government under a strict code of any religion, I feel can be a bit unhealthy. By the way, I think religion is great. I just don't think it needs to be a part of government where dillusion and emotion rule and logic and careful observation are out the window. God's not only emotion. He's power, logic, humor, love and the final destiny. We need to keep our heads screwed on strait.

Yes, my avatar needs a message.

I mean MASSAGE.

Answer 1

And how is that? Can you elaborate please.

Answer 2

It does.

The government cannot promote or endorse one religion more than any other, the government cannot directly punish one religion more than any other, and the government cannot decide what is or is not a valid religion. That's the Free Exercise clause.

In the flip side, we have the Establishment clause. The government cannot promote or endorse one religion more than any other, and as part of that, the government cannot base secular laws on purely religious grounds. In other words, the state cannot mandate or prohibit something solely because some religion mandates or prohibits that conduct.

The slippery slope is caused by the fact that we live in a country where majority rules. Which means the majority gets to impose their views and beliefs on the minority through enacted laws. There are only two restraints on that system -- self-restraint, in the form of legislators who are willing to recognize that religious grounds are not valid reasons for enacting secular laws, and the courts, striking down laws as unconstitutional.

Unfortunately, the former often fails, and the latter is criticized as judicial activism. Which is truly sad, because those who are trying to enact their personal religious views as secular law are going against the core principles that this country was founded upon.

Answer 3

First ... it's sepAration.

Secondly ... government regularly interferes with the practice of religion in this country. When the vast majority of people who claim a religion or belief in God can be held hostage by a small minority of people who don't by allowing them to tie up the courts with nonsense lawsuits about religious markers in military graveyards and things like that, or when a religious person decrying something such as a sexual practice that doesn't agree with their religion can be cited for "hate speech" while the religious people themselves are subjected to vilification on a regular basis by their detractors without any repercussions on the detractors, that's certainly government interference with the free practice of religion. These are a few of the myriad instances I could recite.

Thirdly ... since all laws are based on some moral code, religion is an inextricable part of law-making. If you are inferring that no religious person has the right to participate in the political process, then you are practicing prejudice towards the religious.

It's just a vicious circle, isn't it?

Answer 4

The Constitution spells out the responsibilities of the State and says that "Congress shall make no laws" regarding religion "or the institution thereof."

In other words, what we know today as "seperation of church and state" was specifically designed to keep the Government out of religion and not the other way around. The Founding Fathers felt that religion, and it's application, was the personal choice of the individual citizen...and the burden of religion's effect on government is firmly placed in the hands of the citizens themselves.

The State cannot regulate religion's impact on the govenment. To do so would violate one of the cornerstones of the Bill of Rights. American society, not the American government, must decide how much religion we will accept in our governance. The wisdom of the Constitution is sustained.

Answer 5

Government in the USA was established "by, of and for" the people who, by the way, might have or practice a particular religion in which the government is prohibited from dictating or "establishing". The government is composed of representatives who are elected by people, some (most) of whom have a religious preference...and laws are made by a majority. Ergo, you can and should keep government out of religion (religious freedom) but you can't keep religion or religious influence out of government. That influence cannot or should not prohibit or repress other's practice or non-practice of their chosen religion as long as it does not harm others. However, it certainly might characterize, in general, the nature of a country or government, e.g., the USA and our laws were founded on "Christian" principles.

Answer 6

Your avatar appears to need a massage. Perhaps that will soothe the anger within.

The direction of government in the USA is determined by the people. Many people are religious. Fear the day Muslim influence will determine the path of our government!!!

Answer 7

The separation of church and state is to prevent a government mandated and sponsored religion. This is done so that ,for example , a Jewish person is not forced to become a Muslim or a Christian against their will

all people are allowed to participate in our government process, there is no provision banning a person of any faith from participating....that would be a denial of civil rights.

Answer 8

This is not a country of religionist's, it is a country of Christians.
Thomas Payne