Why do U.S. laws regulate morality if a separation exists between Church and State?

Question

Why are there laws in the U.S., like those concerning the death penalty, abortion, and gay marriage, which regulate morality, when there is supposed to exist a separation of Church and State? Is morality not subjective, something decided on by the general population but not agreed upon by all? The laws in the United States are greatly the result of Christian morals, not Muslim, or Hindu. If a separation existed, would laws that regulate morality exist?

I do not wish to argue morality; any of the issues listed, or whether or not the first amendment means a separation should exist, so, please, as a request, answer only the question asked.

Answer 1

Most laws of a democracy or a republic are a reflection of the morality of the majority of its citizens. This is how rule by majority vote works.

Laws are created to protect society from individuals who would harm it for selfish purposes.

Morality teaches people to live unselfishly with love of neighbor.

Murder, stealing, elder abuse (of parents), and perjury are all rightfully illegal but are also violations of the Ten Commandments.

It is impossible to separate morality and law.

To eliminate laws based on morality would be to repeal almost every civil and criminal law.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Your question is trying to equate apples and oranges, so heaping abuse in advance about answering the question asked is poor form. First point, the Constitution does NOT say anything about separation of church and state, but rather says words to the effect that congress shall not specify a particular church for favor, in essence, no state sanctioned church, such as exists in England. Read what the founding fathers wrote on the subject, the wording is there and refers to Great Britian and the Church of England at the time..That is what freedom of religion is ALL about. Second point, morals are not exclusive to any particular religion. An athiest can be just as moral a person as the Pope. Being moral is just having a good sense of right and wrong. Therefore, every law on the books in a sense legislates morality, as law defines what is right and wrong. Do not confuse morality with spiritualism, that is apples and oranges again. So, there you have it, morals are not the exclusive property of the church and the government does not favor any religion over another.

Answer 3

Well, there's no law against gay marriage, there just isn't a law saying that when gays marry it's called 'marriage'. And as for the other two examples, yes, they are moral issues, and yes morality is subjective, but morals are defined by the societies that deal with them. When you think about it, that is why there are laws in the first place. Everyone thinks killing other humans is wrong, so it's illegal. Most people think stealing is wrong, so that's illegal. The only difference between those and something like abortion or capital punishment is that most people in society agree about it.

And since the US is a largely Christian nation (something like 80-90 percent), Christianity-based morals rule the day, even if they are not called such.

Answer 4

Unlike some who say there is no separation of church and state, you do know how the First Amendment begins, but do you really understand it? In an 1892 letter, Thomas Jefferson said this was meant to build "a wall of separation between church and state". You are saying that the Constitution isn't law. How audacious! How ruthless some people are in trying to force their beliefs upon everyone! I see all too many trying to justify violations of that part of the First Amendment. Some even deny it exists. Thomas Jefferson would spin in his grave if he could know of such doings. He did not want the Bible taught in public schools, and that is a fact that can be found in his biographies. He told his nephew in a letter to study the Bible as he would any other book, i.e. critically, and that after such a study, one might conclude that there is no God. Jefferson said he wouldn't disagree with such a conclusion. George Washington, John Adams and other Founding Fathers said things that indicate they would disagree with you.

Answer 5

The laws of a nation reflect the morality of that nations culture. That is why there has been a culture war raging in this country for decades.

This nation was founded on a Christian culture, as were the European countries. I am sure that doesn't sit well with you, but it is the basis for our laws. There have been attempts by individuals and groups to undermine this culture. The whole concept of "multiculturalism" is an attempt to undermine our common culture.

Specific items of our culture that have been attacked include, prohibitions against abortion, homosexuality, recognition of God, recognition of the differences between men and women, and obscenity laws.

It is up to people who oppose this trend to work to restore our common culture. These people have been labeled the "religious right". I think it may be more accurate to label the politicians, judges and TV/movie producers as the "irreligious left".

Answer 6

When Maddison, Jefferson and Jay were writing the draft for our Constitution, there was another, Patrick Henry who wanted to incorporate a law that all men with voting rights be required to belong to and give tything to a given church. Everyone tried telling him that this was a bad idea and that it would make us no better than the English who paid homage to the Church of England. Henry insisted. They then talked him into running for Governor for the state of Virginia. He did and won. This effectively removed him from a position of having a say in the writing of this document. Thus the Ammendment states; "Freedom of Religion" not "Freedom FROM Religion." And nowhere does it say "A Separation of Church and State." At the time of this country's founding 99.99% of the people were "Christian." And so, this country is founded and its laws founded on Christian beliefs and principles.

Answer 7

Because the United State of America is not a secular Nation it is Christian Nation. Although the government is set up as secular government it was created by Christians, governs a population that is a majority of Christians, and is run by a majority of Christians. It would be foolish to think that Christians wouldn't make and enact laws didn't reflect their beliefs and values.

Answer 8

The laws in the United States are based upon the constitution not the Christian religion. Your question makes no sense to me at all.

Answer 9

There is no "separation of church and state" in the US Constitution or any other law. It was suggested in a letter from Thomas Jefferson and taken way out of context.

The only separation suggested in the Constitution is that there be no national religion of the United States, like there was (and is) in England. There would be no established, national church for the united thirteen states. To say it another way: there would be no "Church of the United States." The government is prohibited from setting up a state religion, such as Britain has, but no barriers will be erected against the practice of any religion. Thomas Jefferson's famous "wall of separation" between church and state comment was made in a letter to a group of Baptist clergymen January 1, 1802 in Danbury, Connecticut, who feared the Congregationalists Church would become the state-sponsored religion. Jefferson assured the Danbury Baptist Association that the First Amendment guaranteed that there would be no establishment of any one denomination over another. It was never intended for our governing bodies to be "separated" from Christianity and its principles. The "wall" was understood as one directional; its purpose was to protect the church from the state. The world was not to corrupt the church, yet the church was free to teach the people Biblical values. It keeps the government from running the church but makes sure that Christian principles will always stay in government.

Answer 10

All states, secular or otherwise, have laws based on morality, thats why we do not allow rape child prostitution and so on. Christianity should be just one voice in the pot which is what secularism means.