Whatever happened to separation of Church and State?

Question

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070501/ap_on_re_us/bible_classes

Answer 1

how soon before "electives" become mandates?
how many "electives" will be offered in Wicca, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, etc? of course not - this is indoctrination, pure and simple - and at taxpayer expense.

a sad state of affairs, folks.

Answer 2

Well, it depends on which country you are talking about. In the United States, there is separation of Church and State.

The original intent of this statement was to prevent the establishment of a State church, such as the Church of England or Massachusetts' official sanctioning of Puritanism.

United States law is based off of the English common law system, which has evolved from basics set forth in the Bible (remember, the Church of England is the official state religion of the United Kingdom). The current (or relatively recent) debate in the United States over public display of the Ten Commandments stems from an argument over whether the display of those ancient guidelines stems from desire to impose Judeo-Christian values on all citizens or from a desire to "pay tribute" or "memorialize" the origins of most Common Law. The very fact that we can argue about this shows that there is no official state religion or even officially sanctioned religion.

If you want a place where Church and State is not separated, look at the Middle East, Indonesia, and to some degree any country that is not yet a developed democracy (separation of Church and State is usually a prerequisite to a stable democracy, the United Kingdom has separated the Church of England from the political process to an extent that they can be included in the stable democracy category). After looking at other nations, I'm sure you will come to the logical conclusion that the United States has a very high separation of Church and State. (Even including Utah and Southeastern Idaho, which are typically stereotyped as controlled by the LDS Church).

Answer 3

The phrase separation of church and state hes been miss used since the 50s or 60s. It was originally coined in the 1700s in the Virginia colony to keep government from interfering with peoples right to choose there own religion not to keep God out of our leadership or schools. (public schools not formed yet but you get the idea) In 1600 and 1700 England you were taxed by your religious preference. Also only certain religions were allowed to hold office. The phrase separation of church and state was put in to insure people of all religions could have freedom to practice that religion without being persecuted. It was also followed by the phrase that we shall make no laws that violate Gods word. People always leave that part out when they speak of separation of church and state. Prayer and Bible reading in school, government or having the 10 commandments in court houses is absolutely not a violation of church and state if you read the actual intent of the law.

Answer 4

seperation of church and state was the non-establishing of a government religion. every one could worship as they chose without government interference. if the public schools (belonging to the people) wish to touch base about the bible or koran or whatever, okay. examble the bible wisely teaches that God made all things. thats fine. but no preaching. our preachers can do that. the same with other religions. it's good to know the differences and likenesses. the capitol belongs to the people. if they want the ten commandments on it, thats very constitutional and okay. same for menorah candles, etc. it's not endorsing one belief. the only ones offended are the narrow minded which believe they are the only ones with constitutional rights.

Answer 5

Since America is based on majority rule, when you have a majority of lawmakers practitioners of any particular religion, you may be faced with a lack of separation. The Supreme Court is the last line of defense of the separation, but they are human also. When a majority of them are the same religion as the lawmakers, corruption can occur. This is not to say that this occurs automatically when all branches are predominantly one religion, but it is to say that it can happen. As for the lawyers, many of them are just looking to exploit people for monetary gain and other forms of influence. Welcome to the new America. Our founding fathers would be so proud. Wait, no, the opposite of that.

Answer 6

I read that article, the one about having Bible classes as an elective in some Georgia schools?

I'm a Christian and I don't like it. I don't like the fact that they are teaching it as literature, for it's more than that. I don't want the government teaching my children about religion, even our own.

The Bible should be taught by the parents and the church. I remember the article said something about the fact that you can't really understand Shakespeare without understanding the Bible, but I don't care, let them go home and read the Bible with their parents if they are that desperate to fully understand Shakespeare.

Answer 7

I wonder if they'd allow an atheist to teach one of those classes.

We actually read OT stories in my freshman HS English class (a public HS in NY). It is true that in order to understand a lot of western literature and art it helps to know some basic Biblical stories. But when we read the stories in school, we studied it as literature, not as religion.

Answer 8

What "separation of church and state" means is that the US Government cannot mandate a religion for the masses. It does NOT mean, and never did mean, that the government can't/won't offer equal opportunity (that's also in the Constitution) for religious education.

Answer 9

I remember hearing something about this a while ago. It's supposed to be because the Bible is the most influential book on our society, bar none, and should be learned and discussed critically in order to better understand how we have become the society we are today, NOT preaching it.

Answer 10

...My, my, my...look at the complaints and cries of "unfair" from the other side, whose atheist/humanist views are funded by and have been funded by everyone's tax dollars for years and years...in public schools and secular colleges and universities across the fruited plain...
...Which Christian virtue or value do you dislike the most?
...Loving God supremely, and then your neighbor as you already do love yourself?
...Respect for human life?
...Believing in a Creator God?
...Respect for parents and those in authority?
...No stealing?
...No adultery?
...No lying?
...No murder?
...No coveting what is your neighbors'?
...Protecting the innocent, unborn?
...Respecting and ministering to the elderly?
...Loving ministry to the terminally ill?
...Punishing evildoers?
...Which of these will do irreparable damage to society?
...Daniel Webster, famous senator and great compromiser in the first half of the 19th century, said this:
..."Whatever makes a good Christian, makes a good citizen."
...And the fact of the matter is, you have no better way, and probably no other way at all.
**
...I urge all to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved.
(Acts 16:31)
...Whosoever will, may come.