If the founding fathers intended for church and state to be separate, why is this such a problem?
I always thought that our country was founded upon an ideal that church and state must remain separate. Why then, is this such a major topic of contention in our society?
I think that religious zealots are just afraid that God is getting too small. Now, they panic about children not being allowed to pray in schools and are pushing pseudo-science such as intelligent Design. Some even argue that the separation of church and state was intended to protect the church, not the government. They cry about the Pledge of Allegiance being banned in some schools, because it supposedly expresses the ideals of our founding fathers. However, the word “God” was actually added to the pledge in 1954 by Congress. Perhaps they are getting scared that God is not required to explain anything anymore, unlike in the good old says when we could thank God for rain and solar eclipses. Now, we know better and God is not necessary.
Christian ideology is responsible for our ridiculous War on Drugs, which has produced 60% of our prison population (non-violent drug offenders). Religion in politics creates criminals out of people who would otherwise not be criminals. It is also responsible for our nation’s teen pregnancy rate (the highest in the industrialized world) because there is still a taboo regarding open sexual discourse. On the macro-scale, the Bible tells us that any nation opposed to Israel shall perish. Hence, we support Israel monetarily and militarily. Religion is destroying my country. Why do you think the founders wanted it separate?
@Tony: "prayer was in schools for 185 years in this country and was not a problem till Libs started whining in the 60's" That's a great statement (sarcasm). Because everything people did 185 years ago, should continue??? That makes no sense. Good thing people realized slavery wasn't a good idea. Fortunately, people have evolved intellectually over time and many realize that prayer and God is not real. Many people realize that organized religion can be very dangerous and detrimental to our society. Just look at the response from Jonesy below, he was a soldier and has a very unique and informed perspective on things like this.
Stop by my page sometime and read some of my hubs, I would love to hear more of your comments.
Apparently Christians don't have enough faith in God and their own ability to teach their own children and think that the country needs to enforce God's law.
The oft repeated falsehood that liberals want to restrict worship is ridiculous. They only want the state to have no part in it. Children can pray in school, but the teachers can't lead it or provide for it. When the school violates that right, the ACLU will come to their defense, and have repeatedly.
But why should that matter? Jesus told us to go in our rooms, shut the door and pray to our Father in private. He told us to give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to Him what is His. Instead we want to put God on the coinage and mix the messages together.
Why is it a problem in this country? Because freedom is bold and daring and risky, but provides the protection for both the sinner and the saint. Christians need to have less faith in the state, and more faith in their God.
Read my hub on Rights and Righteousness.
Religion has always been a large part of our society, while our government at all levels has a strong democratic tradition that must pander to the theocratic voters to get elected.
by cooldad 13 years ago
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by Mick Menous 10 years ago
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by PhoenixV 9 years ago
Was The United States Founded As A Christian Nation?
by SparklingJewel 14 years ago
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by Mikala 13 years ago
If church and state are separate why are religious beliefs relevant to the gay marriage amendment?
by MPChris 11 years ago
Do you think the Founding Fathers intended a Christian Nation?This question is in specific reference to two important pieces of legislative evidence. Both, the 1st Amendment and the Treaty of Tripoli (Article 11). Keep in mind that the Treaty was ratified by many of the original founding fathers,...
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