Religion question?

Question

Why is it that the state has to stay out of the affairs of the church but the church doesn't have to stay out of the affairs of the state? To me it seems that government can not interfere with religion or with the church but when the church voices out against something of the government or state, people usually oblige to their demands and change things because of them in the government. Why is this? Does separation of church and state only apply to the state not being able to interfere and allow the church to interfere with government? I know this is not true and that the deal goes both ways but to me it seems that the church interferes alot with the government.

some very interesting answers here. I do completely understand that a church is made up of citizens. But as a whole church to be able to want something done in government because of religious beliefs and then get it done is what i'm talking about. for example ( this is only hypothetical) lets say a church wants the government to ban all forms of pornography everywhere and that it become completely illegal and it gets done is that not against the amendment. i got this example from the church wanting to ban sale of porn on military bases.

summer breeze makes a good argument. but I believe all those things going on is because of regular people and not the government. I am not on either side, i just want to see what you guys think of this. I agree completely with you on the politically correct argument. now a days you can't say much without wondering if it is politically correct to say it or if you are going to offend someone. What ever happened to freedom of speech! now someone will sue you or try to make law if you offend them.

What I'm really talking about is the government staying out of the affairs of the church, not forcing them which religion to believe. Lets say the gov tries to restrict what days the church can worship. Thats the kind of stuff I'm talking about. I'm talking about separation of church and state which is supposed to be a two way prohibition not a one way. Separation of church and state is a political and legal doctrine which states that government and religious institutions are to be kept separate and independent of one another. The term most often refers to the combination of two principles: secularity of government and freedom of religious exercise. Source: Wiki

I know, porn has been illegal in military bases since clinton I believe. But I say if they are going to fight for your rights and your freedom, why not let them have their porn!!lol.

Personally I don't really have a religion. I just believe in god and accept jesus. I do not attend any church.

Answer 1

Any individual has the right to petition the Government of the United States. No religious organization has that right. In order to maintain its tax exempt status a religious organization cannot endorse a candidate or speak out against a candidate.

I do not care what religion you are and how you feel about an issue. You have the right to contact your Senator, Congressman, or President on any subject you feel strongly about. I wish that you would do just that.

I do care when any religious organization takes it on itself to try to enforce its kind of morality or rules on other people who do not follow their doctrine. The issue of prayer in school is tossed around a lot here in R & S. Is your religion the only religion that the prayer should be based on when said in school. What about the other Christian religions? What about the Muslims? What about the Jews? What about the Jevohah's Witnesses? and on and on? Who have the right religion? I think mine is for me. I hope yours is for you. But I won't force you to accept mine if you won't force me to accept yours.

Answer 2

Well, I see it as the other way around: the government interfering with religion. As it stands, the government is kowtowing to the few atheists and others that are offended by Christianity and God by removing the Ten Commandments monument from the courthouse (Alabama first off - and Florida is next, from what I understand), prayer is not lawful in schools, the phrase "Under God" in the pledge of allegiance, is not allowed now and other 'offended by God' people have tried to remove a cross from a cemetary, which has been there for many years. So, it's more like the government interfering with people's 'freedom of religion' here - not the other way around. Churches are fighting for their rights to their freedom to acknowledge God and His commandments and His existence, but the government wants to shut them up, taking sides with those who are offended by and/or against God instead of being fair to those who go to church to worship and hear the preaching of the bible. The government should be protecting religious rights - not destroy them! This government is fanatical about what's 'politically correct' instead of 'morally correct' - go figure! That's partly why our society is in the shape it's in now and the government is partly to blame! It's slowly becoming a communistic government, having to watch what you say and do around others. Heaven forbid you say the wrong thing or look at someone the wrong way. They'll take offense to it, then try to coax the government to make it a law where you can't even look at people when you pass by them on the street or your local store.

Answer 3

In the constitution, it is a one-way prohibition. The government cannot force people to worship in any particular way. But ANY group, religious, fraternal, union, sexual-orientation, etc. can band together as a voting block and demand of politicians anything they want.

BTW - It's always been illegal to sell porn on military bases. Moral people are now speaking up and asking that this law be enforced.

Answer 4

Ultimately, the church has no say in what occurs in politics. While they may say this or that, the only reason a polititian would be swayed by a religion is if what was said effected the polititian on a personal level.

In saying that, the majority of polititians are church goers, in one way or another. This may well be so that they can appear moral in front of those who elect them, though the society would have to be gullible enough to believe that morality is a bi-product of religion.

Then again, they must be pretty damn gullible, most people in one religion or another have stayed in it since being indoctrinated as a child and have never questioned their doctrine... very sad really.

Answer 5

The government cannot show favortism to any particular faith, meaning (among other things) that they cannot make a law because a church doctrine says so. However, the fact is all people, including politicians, are motivated by their own sets of ethics, and ethics are commonly shaped by religion. There's nothing wrong is the president saying "I'm vetoing stem-cells because I find it to be immoral." What he can't say is "I'm vetoing stem-cells because the such-and-such church says so."

Answer 6

What separation?? The Government all across the USA is interfering in the business of the Church every day. They are telling us what we can and cant say in several states already.

Answer 7

Actually, for it to be in the US constitution means that non-establishment is enforced (and therefore in some ways not followed as separation) by the state. If any church authority tries to sway the public's political opinion, they should lose their tax exempt status.

Answer 8

The separation of Church and state means that Congress cannot make any law mandating the practice of a specific religious sect, and they cannot make any law forbidding the free exercise of a religious practice. It does not mean that religion cannot influence democracy.

Answer 9

Religious people are involved in the government. They are not going to act and vote against their belief systems.

Answer 10

Voting power. There a many people who go to church and the politicians know that. When an entire religious sect says do this or we won't vote for you they listen.