Should there be a separation between church and state???

Answer 1

Yes.

This is the best way to guarentee the freedom of religion.

In the Vatican II document, Declaration on Religious Freedom, Dignitatis Humanae (Human Dignity), the Church states:

The human person has a right to religious freedom. This freedom means that all men are to be immune from coercion on the part of individuals or of social groups and of any human power, in such wise that no one is to be forced to act in a manner contrary to his own beliefs, whether privately or publicly, whether alone or in association with others, within due limits.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Yes. Lets say for instance that America chose to make Christianity the "State Religion" of the Nation. What then happens to the non-Christians? And whose brand of Christianity do you choose? Would a Baptist want their children brought up in a strictly Roman Catholic nation? Should a Presbyterian have to follow the beliefs of the Jehovah's Witnesses in their "work lives"?

The separation of church and state is NOT a ploy by "Atheists out to get us"...it is a decision that EVERYONE should agree to, if only to retain the traditions and beliefs and the RIGHT to teach their children in the religion (or no religion) of their choice. Whether you agree with a Satanist or not, letting them have the right to THEIR religion separate from State control also allows YOU to have your religion separate from State control that doesn't agree with how YOU feel. Keeping this separate allows you to teach your kids the way YOU wish instead of how "neighbor Jim Bob" feels they should be taught.

Answer 3

Atheists should not be discriminated against. It sounds good to have a Christian state but the reality would be very bad. The catholic church tried to mandate religion, the church of England tried it, as did many cultures. People being what they are, human nature and all, there must be laws that keep one religion from controlling the state. Jesus said his kingdom was not of this earth.

Answer 4

Yes, because government involvement in religions leads to alterations of religious doctrine by the majority, which may destroy them.

This can happen in both minority and majority situations for the specific religion. The minority position is obvious, so let me elaborate on the majority solution. Government systems linked with religious organizations will eventually distribute their beurocracies to the religion itself and when this happens most religions become cheapened into a political stance.

For example, the Chruch of England and the Chruch of Sweden.
Technically, in Sweden everyone is registered into the church, but this has lead to religious activities becoming governmental formalities rather than spiritual expressions. People don't choose and becoming part of the church loses all the spiritual aspects to it. A rubber stamp is all that's left in "converting".

To date, Sweden has one of the highest rates of Atheism/Agnosticism, but because of this beurocratization of religion, the stats would suggest Sweden to be a very religious country.

Not to mention, States are not able to fully appease the will of the people and respect all minorities (a key in democracies: Majority Rule and Minority Rights), when they are bound to religious doctrine.

This doctrine by default biases them towards or against certain groups, which stands in contradiction to most governmental systems and the will of the people.

Only through devising a government independent of religion or irreligion can the equality and rights of all be properly respected.

Answer 5

Absolutely. I'm a Catholic, but still think that Christianity should not be impossed unto others. And then we see Bush manipulating people by being religious. Religion can be a dangerous thing in the hands of a leader (like Bush), with an audience ready to listen. Also, since this country is a plethera of cultures, you can be sure that not all the inhabitants are Christian.

Answer 6

AT FRIST IT WAS SO THAT THE STATE WOULD NOT GET IN TO THE CHURCH AND TALE IT WHAT TO DO . KNOW IT IS SO THE CHURCH CANT BE A PART OF THE STATE EVEN THE CHURCH THAT FOND THE STATE OR EVEN THE CONTREY.

Answer 7

Yes, it is essential for the protection of both the state and the church.

Answer 8

Oh yes yes yes. Just take a look at almost any theocracy and you'll see the dangers of losing that separation.

Answer 9

Just to an extent that it doesn't favor one religion or set of beliefs over another. So it doesn't force everyone into feeling we have to have the same religion.

Answer 10

Most Definiteley!