Help me!! I have a thesis in the separation of the church and the government. What can you say about it?

Question

Most of the poeple i've ask about this, answer it is the church butting in too much. But i do believe that the two cannot be separated.

Answer 1

I don't know all the details, but I believe this much, at least, is correct:

Our founding fathers were, mostly, Christians. They wanted to worship in their own way (Protestants and Catholics weren't getting along too well at this point in time). They never wanted to take Christianity out of the government - they opened all of their meetings in prayer!

"Separation of Church and State" is nowhere in the American Constitution, Bill of Rights or Ammendments. Something along those lines was mentioned in a letter written, I think, by Thomas Jefferson (not positive, though), but it has since been taken out of context and its original meaning has been forgotten or ignored.

Answer 2

The answer is that there is no such thing as a "seperation of church and state" in the United States Constitution, and I would defy any future answerers of this question to prove otherwise.
The first ammendment establishment clause says:
"Congress shall make no law respecting (that is, regarding) the establishment of religion, NOR RESTRICTING THE FREE PRACTICE THEREOF..." (Emphasis and parentheses mine)
What the founding fathers feared was a state-run church. Examples might be the Anglican church of England (keep in mind many of the earliest settlers were quakers and/or protestants), or the government of Constantine, who made Christianity the official religion of the Roman empire.
What they feared was the state butting in and restricting the practice of their religion.
So contrary to the popular, politically correct belief, the establishment clause is intended to protect the church from the state. Not the other way around.
It does NOT mean that people of faith should not run, nor that it cannot be recognized that religious law such as the ten commandments has not had an impact on our own laws. To restrict the public display of any religous symbol by any individual is a violation of the establishment clause.

Answer 3

Hmmm...the separation of church and state. Since the United States was founded on the principle of religious freedom the founding fathers saw it wise to have a separation of church and state. In England, at the time, whatever religion the royal family practiced was the country's religion, especially during the Tudors reign. I believe it was Henry VIII that switched it from Roman Catholic to Protestant so he could get a divorce. Future Queens/Kings switched it back and forth as well. Whomever didn't practice the current government's religion could be persecuted. Thus, the pilgrims set of for the Americas.

Anyway, back to the US. To prevent the government from being unduly influenced by religion (or vice versa) the US was built on the ideal of separation of church and state. The basic theory, as I understand it, is that every religion is welcome and one particular religion won't be promoted over any others, nor will religion influence any matters of state. Governmental programs, such as public school, cannot include religious practices etc.

Obviously, it's not as cut and dried and this as there are many references to religion in state-run programs, i.e., "In God We Trust" on our money etc. Governmental employees are obviously influenced b their own religious beliefs but, with separation of church and state, these beliefs do not become the beliefs of the entire country. We, as individuals with religious freedom, are able to choose what we believe with no fear of governmental reprisals.

Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia, has a really detailed overview of what separation of church and state means.

Answer 4

Here are a few places to look:

For the "pro separation" viewpoint, check out the Americans United for the Separation of Church and State.

I don't know of any organization specifically focused on opposing church/state separation, but you can check some of the more right-wing religious organizations, such as the ACLJ and the Moral Majority, who espouse increases religious work in the political area.

Links are below.

Answer 5

Sure they could be separated. Remember, even if we agree it's a Christian country, there are around 300 denominations of Christians-do we also adopt a denomination. Separation is not an anti-Christian movement-to moderate Christians, it's pro-Christian. The Fundamentalists and Evangelicals are driving the charge-and their religion looks little like the rest of Christians. Don't be fooled.

This link has a PDF showing how the ten commandments differ just from Protestant to Catholic to Hebrew. Which one is the one to put on the courthouse lawn? Wouldn't any one of these promote one religion and not the other? Notice the commandments are out of order, depending on the version.

Answer 6

Presupposition helps but not every time, the best thing is to go and find what the Word of God says. For both the "yes" and "no" it has it's own support in the Bible. Jesus' statement and Apostle Paul' teaching...

Answer 7

they sure cannot be separated-not saying it shouldnt but i think it will never separate..you see church is all about politics and government,and it's been like that for ages-church had been always supported by government materially and to return thanks its been spreading those in power ideas to people through religious beliefs..its all about masses control through media and bigotry(see both connected..).see just no religious offense - im talking bout church, not god:)

Answer 8

Nothing other than the fact that in a dream world the two would be seperated and have no influence on one an other. In this world though, the two will always follow and influence one another.

Answer 9

Most people falsely believe this was an idea conceived by our founding fathers.

Prove them wrong by starting your research with the Communist Karl Marx.

You will be surprised at what you learn.

Answer 10

In the USA it does not exsist, there is no seperation of church and state. if you look closely, we are a theorcacy.