Is the ever closening link between Church and State the biggest threat to modern societal development?

Question

With recent times seeing church and state going through the motions of becoming somewhat interwinned again and a right wing religious agenda being pushed to the fore by the Bush administration, is this the biggest threat society faces to it's development and security? Is it fair to coin the religious right of America as being "Christian fundamentalists"? We have seen strong opposition to legistlation supporting Stem Cell research, abortion rights for women and gay marriage. Is this a backwards path for America?

As interesting as the information about Jefferson is, and I do appreciate it, it does not answer the question. The question is not on whether a constitutional separation exists between church and state but whether the current trend towards religious moral values affecting legislature is a dangerous one.

Answer 1

If History doesn't teach us anything yet, then I don't know what else will.

Look at what has happened throughout the Medieval Ages when the Holy Roman Empire had a hand with their Crusades and the Inquisitions that KILLED MULTITUDES in the "name of [THEIR KIND of] God"...

Or Hitler and his Nazis who were German Christians who wanted to propagate "their brand" of Christianity that embraced RACISM and ANTI-SEMITISM and had their way with the Holocaust...

Must we have our OWN VERSION of it in the U.S.A. now too??!! No way, Jose...

There MUST be a SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE AT ALL COSTS!

Peace be with you.

Answer 2

If you take the time to read the Constitution of the United States,
you will find absolutely no mention of "separation of church and state"

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion"

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Thomas Jefferson wrote a letter to the Danbury Baptist Association in 1802 to answer a letter from them written in October 1801. The Danbury Baptists were a religious minority in Connecticut, and they complained that in their state, the religious liberties they enjoyed were not seen as immutable rights, but as privileges granted by the legislature - as "favors granted." Jefferson's reply did not address their concerns about problems with state establishment of religion - only that on the national level. The letter contains the phrase "wall of separation between church and state," which led to the short-hand for the Establishment Clause that we use today: "Separation of church and state."

The letter was the subject of intense scrutiny by Jefferson, and he consulted a couple of New England politicians to assure that his words would not offend while still conveying his message: it was not the place of the Congress or the Executive to do anything that might be misconstrued as the establishment of religion.

Answer 3

yes it is a backwards path, they are trying to create a theocracy in America.

Though I dont think it will succeed. As for the issues you raised Stem Cell research, abortion rights for women and gay marriage.

America needs to finally decide if it legislates morality or not and if so to what extent.

Answer 4

yes it is