Is there really any harm in including religion in our government?

Question

Like...we've been doing it all these years, and I took a survey of 'why there are so many delinquent kids' over answers, and 99% of the answers responded in Christianity was taken out of schools. I don't mean shove it don't a Muslim's throat, but where do we draw the line between church and state?

Mainly to the first three answers: I'm wondering why the ACLU is making such a big fuss over nothing. It's not like we're burning everyone who isn't Christian. Did we just ban "Merry Christmas" from schools because a bunch of parents sued? Or did the ACLU believe it was an altruistic precaution?

Answer 1

Study history and read your founding fathers. The first amendment states:

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.

That is not freedom from religion; that is freedom of religion.

Answer 2

I think only Christians answered your survey. LOL

Yes there IS harm in religion and government being mixed! The people who first came here to settle were leaving England because of religious persecution. They wanted to be sure the government had no hand in religion. America is supposed to be a place where all races and religions can live in harmony. We haven't done such a great job of it but it would be a mistake to change the Constitution at this point. Contrary to what many republicans seem to think, this was never a Christian country and what's wrong with kids is not lack of religion. It's lack of parental guidance which is affected in large part by an economy that makes it nearly impossible to live without 2 incomes meaning parents just aren't around as much as they ought to be. Look at ancient greek writings and what do you see? Plato wrote What the matter with the kids today!! so there's nothing new under the sun!

Answer 3

You must be very young. First, there are so many deliquent children because there are so many bad parents. Second, public schools are for scholarly education; religion teaching should be in the home, church, temple or mosque. Third, and think about this point, exactly what or whose religion would you "put in our government"? Protestant? Catholic? Jewish? Muslim? Buddhism? Hinduism? Shintu? The several Native American beliefs?

Fourth, which "god" would be involved; Christian god? Jewish god? Allah? Vishnu? Buddha? Great Spirit?

See where this is going? We are a diverse nation with people who hold many beliefs...that is why, from our beginnings, the law is the government shall not establish a religion.

For many years, the white, male, Protestants did pretty much what they wanted anyway, established laws and regulations based on their religion. We have become a lot smarter in the last 50 years. That is why the ACLU and others are active in preventing further incursion into our lives my someone elses beliefs.

Answer 4

There's a difference between religious upbringing and government approval of one religion over another.

Although I think that morals are something politicians should learn about, having a specific religion in the government will, if not immediately then over the following years, lead to a theocracy. It will likely end in the distaste of other religions. We draw the line between church and state as far from eachother as possible. The government supporting a specific religion is like supporting a specific race because they're more moral. It's just not fair.

I know you don't mean it as shoving down anyone's throat. But firstly I don't believe your statistic at all and I think the people, if given another choice, would've said that the kids weren't taught morals. The Christian church doesn't have a monopoly on morals. I'm an agnostic and I like to think I have pretty good morals. I've also met Christians who smoke pot, are pro-war, etc...

I think what's more important than a religion in the government is morals. I don't mean that marriage is sacred, or that gays are immoral. I mean that sex with children is bad, that war should be avoided or used for defence, etc...

You know, GOOD LESSONS. The kind of things taught in kids shows on tv.

I don't like how religion changes people, but they can have it. I also don't like how athiesm changes people. It's all just way too much. People need to chill out. They seriously are all hyppocritical (even me, I admit it).


{Edit}

I agree with BarB down there. People need to stop blaming the lack of religion and just be BETTER PARENTS!

Answer 5

Since there is NOTHING in the US Constitution regarding any separation of church and state (read it..all it says is that the US will not form its own religion and force you to accept it, so take THAT ACLU types!), and since this country was founded on Christian principles, no there's nothing wrong at all in including religion in government. Now if you're talking a theocratic based government, there I have a problem. However, since evil is the absence of God, I'd prefer to have religion in government.

Answer 6

There is some conflict of interest between religion and government. Yes, maybe there are delinquent kids because religion was taken out the classroom. Religion provided some morals, ethics, guidelines, which are rarely taught anymore. TV is a bigger negative influence, saying if it feels good, do it, rarely showing the consequences. Chow

Answer 7

The only thing American in the ACLU is the first name. They are a communist front organization trying to undermine American morals and religion in general. The only ones the ACLU benefits is itself.
America was founded on religious moral principles and it's why we are the great country we are.

Answer 8

Yea, well there is no harm, but a little leads to a lot, if one person can't do no one should be able too, but on the other hand the government shouldn't hamper the practice of religion like they have been doing, or traditional practices, like in god we trust, or one nation under god.

Answer 9

This country was based and founded on judeo-christian, other countries have their own religions and we have ours, we can't remove it to appease the athiests, muslims or anyone else, it is what it is here, so leave it alone, or leave.

Answer 10

Thinking people of faith and non-faith agree that BOTH religion and government would suffer if they were combined.

Do you really want the government regulating your church?