How do you feel about separation of church and state?

Question

Personally I support it because if you look to the middle east you can see that theocracies do not work and are riddled with sectarian violence.

Please, no rambling about how it's not in the constitution, I don't care, I'm not asking about the legality, I'm asking about the spirit.

I just want to know how you feel about the spirit of separation of church and state and why.

Answer 1

I don't get these uneducated radical Christians who insist that America is a Christian nation or that we need to post the Ten Commandments in public buildings.

I mean who the hell put them in charge?

Personally I find all religion to be an insult to common sense and basic human intelligence. A giant invisible man in the sky creates the universe for our amusement, and so we can worship him but if we don't he damns us to an eternity of hellfire and agony (seems like he has an ego problem or at least some issues with self-esteem). Sometimes he's loving and forgiving, other times he's vengeful and jealous (again, sounds like the dude is wacked in the head). He decides it's time to clean house and so rains a flood down on everyone and everything, drowning not just the wicked but innocent animals, babies, and children indiscriminantly. (Sounds like a psychotic bastard to me).

And we want this mentally insane mass murdering lunatic to be a part of our government?

That's why people think of Crazy Christians as an American Taliban.

Answer 2

The First Amendment guarantees the freedom to practice one’s religion without interference from the state, and at the same time, forbids state establishment of religion. Together, these clauses provide the basis for, in Thomas Jefferson’s well-worn phrase, a “wall of separation between church and state,” which has been crucial to the flourishing of religious diversity in this nation. These twin constitutional guarantees are crucial to the freedom and security of Jews, and therefore of all Americans. Thus, the assertion that the United States is a Christian country marginalizes those of other or no religion and undermines the First Amendment.

Answer 3

"Congress Shall make no law respecting an institution of religion". This means that Congress cannot pass laws that pertain to anything regarding subjects of a religious nature. Religion is not to be tampered with by the state.
"nor prohibiting the free practice thereof." This means that you can worship any religion you want anywhere you want.
Whether or not you find another person's religious beliefs offensive is completely irrelevant. The constitution never guarantees the right to not be offended. In fact with freedom of religion and freedom of speech it is virtually guaranteed that you will be offended and you are going to have to accept that.
Now, if your question, is whether secular government is better than theocracy the answer is yes. But erasing all traces of religious symbology from public view and forbidding the mention of God in public places is unnecessarily restrictive of personal liberty. Banning prayer is just as wrong as requiring it. The Ten Commandments, have a historical basis as the foundation of law in western civilization. So their image in a courthouse is not necessarily religious. No religious order should rule the government, but no one should feel they are not free to express their beliefs at any time they choose, whether in office or not.

Answer 4

I support it- a theocracy is big time trouble. Founders never meant to take religion out of the government, just not for Gov't to establish a state religion. But, if Gov't were really serious about their hatred of religion, they'd give up holidays and holiday pay for Christmas and Easter, as well as all the other religion's holidays; Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, etc, and RAMADAN. This is true whether they acknowledge these holidays as Christian or Pagan or Whatever.. No religion means no religion in any form. There should be no accomodations for any religion no matter how many times a day they pray. Those who want religion in the schools should send their children to parochial schools, including the muslims- they should send their kids to madrases (sorry about spelling, I'm not sure if it's right).

Answer 5

I feel it is vital for us to continue to have a separation of church and state. Our country has been a melting pot of different cultures ever since it began. We do not all worship the same higher power. We do not all read from the same Holy book.

We have already felt a tightening of these forces as they bind together through this current administration, and I for one do not like it.

I feel it is wonderful that we have different cultures and different religions here. I enjoy learning about them so I can compare and contrast them with my own life experience.

If we combine church and state, we are basically saying there is only one "good" religion and you must follow it, or you are less of a human being for believing otherwise. Which is an extremely ludicrous notion. That seems to be each faction of Islam's way of thinking though, judging by the way they are killing each other over their beliefs.

We get our identities from our ancestors, our mother countries, and our religions (or lack thereof). We mustn't forget our history- it is a great learning and teaching tool.

Answer 6

I think the government should never advocate one religion over another and should not allow one religion favor over another.

That said, I see no reason why a country with a religious based history should not allow remembrances of that history.

I grew up in a small east coast town where we had a morning prayer each day and no one was offended and no one asked to be excused during it. With all the extreme religions around now, I can see that this kind of religious ritual should not be allowed. I DO have to ask myself why the Supreme Court begins each session with a prayer.

I believe that having religious icon in the public arena, based on historical reference and founder's ideas should be allowed. To even think that religion in public places will make us a more thoughtful or God fearing country is silly. There are many among us that will NEVER have a public conscience.

Answer 7

It's great, mission accomplished by our forefathers. You have to remember that historically the church had a lot of influence over government. It was looked down upon for a government that featured mostly Roman Catholics to not listen to the pope. Our forefathers did away with this idea by expressly separating church and state, and encouraging everyone of all faiths to come to this country and practice their religion in peace.

Answer 8

I feel it vital to seperate church and state. To not do so discriminates against those citizens who do not hold the same religous views as those in power.

In Turkey the state is run on non-religious grounds, and Islamic Law plays no part in the running of the country. Having visited Turkey I can say it works well.

Answer 9

I think democracy works best when one doesn't include other factors in deciding political outcomes, like religion. The masses aren't all Christian, so I say we further separate. I mean the bible shouldn't outline what is right and wrong, there is a clear difference between right and wrong and we can figure that out for ourselves.

Answer 10

I love how everyone in terprets the 1st amendment to imply a rigid seperation of church and state. Jefferson may have favored this but the actual constitutional compromise is much more brilliant. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion"
This really states that congress may not single out anything that is unique to religion.

"respecting" means referring to or about.... as in "with respect to". Its the legal term.

An establishment of religion does not mean establishing a state religion. rather this means any of the things that are solely relious in nature. "Prayer", "Churches", "Sabath", "Tything", "Crucifix" are all establishments of religion and congress is not even allowed to mention them in a law.

This means that congress can't single one out over another cause they can't mention them. They can't touch a religion cause they can't even mention it. It's brilliant.
Ofcourse we've screwed that up. Congress can't ban prayer in school cause they can mention it. Congress can't prohibit the 10 commandments from being displayed because they can't mention them. It should force all laws to be generic in nature and apply equally to secular and no secular establishments.