Separation of Church & State

SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE

“I was just wondering if I was the only person in the world that believes that church should not be brought into the classroom.  This means school prayer!!  This country was founded on the right to choose your religion, Now everyone is trying to force their religion onto our children.  Well not all religion, just Christianity.”

This question was asked by a lady named Jennifer on the website holysmoke.org.  The answer to her question is: No, she is not the only one who believes that church should not be brought up in school.  In fact, our nation is quite divided over some of the concerns she brings up.  She blames Christians for trying to force their religion onto our children.  Many share her sentiments.

The other side, however, is just as frustrated.  They blame atheists and humanists for trying to force their religion onto our children: i.e. telling our children they are not allowed to pray before eating lunch in the cafeteria.  They are not allowed to have Christmas parties or sing Christmas carols that mention Jesus.  They are not allowed to quote the Bible in their term papers.  Validictorians are not allowed to mention Jesus in their address to the graduates.  History books are rewritten so that there is no mention of the faith of our founding fathers.  Children are now taught that the pilgrims gave thanks to the Indians instead of God.  Christians are accused of being intolerant because they have morals and values that others do not tolerate.

There is a cultural war going on in America today.  What is allowed and what is not allowed, who decides?  The answer:  Not the government!   Those who want to stop Christians from being Christian have persuasively argued for the separation of church and state - claiming that any appearance of faith in Jesus Christ on public property is unconstitutional.  By doing so, they fail to recognize two things.  First, those who live by faith, including students and teachers, do so 24/7 - at church, at home, at work, and at school.   Secondly, “separation of church and state” is NOT in the constitution.  It was written by Thomas Jefferson to the Dansbury Baptist Association agreeing that the government has no right to micromanage the religious life of the American people. 

The constitution simply says,   “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;”    (No law for... No law against!)  Please also notice it says, “Congress shall make no law...”  It does not say anything about the policies of principals or teachers.  If a teacher wants to have a nativity scene in his classroom, but is not allowed, it should only be because the principal has a policy that there should be no nativity scenes in the classroom.  If a principal wants to have a nativity scene in his school building, but is not allowed, it should only be because the superintendent has a policy that there should be no nativity scenes in the school building.  If the superintendent wants to support the teachers’ and principal’s desire to have a nativity scene, but is not allowed by the government, then congress is breaking the constitution enforcing what they are not allowed to enforce.  No law for or against!  No law prohibiting the free exercise of religion!  The superindendent answers to the school board, and the school board is elected by the people - so, once again, in our great democracy, the majority decides!  Not Congress!

Yet, the courts have declared verbal prayers in school unconstitutional in 1962.  Then, the court ruled that it was unconstitutional for a student to pray over his lunch in Reed v. van Hoven.  In 1965, the courts ruled that students have freedom of speech except when it becomes religious (Stein v. Oshinsky).

In 1980, it was ruled unconstitutional to display the Ten Commandments.  Almost all cases of “separation of church and state” occur within the realm of public education.  According to a poll published in Time magazine (Dec 9, 1991, pg 64) most of these separations are largely contrary to the beliefs of the majority of the American people.

There are those who make policies to remove prayer and scripture, and all things “Christian” who sincerely believe they are just trying to be neutral.  But they are not being neutral.  They are catering to the desires of those who stand in opposition to the gospel.   And it is our children who will pay the price.

America’s strength and prosperity comes from it’s strong Christian heritage. A heritage that is under attack!  George Washington, in his farewell address said, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports... reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”

I personally believe it would be wise if school boards, superintendents, principals and teachers encouraged the exercise of religion and morality - knowing they are the pillars on which this nation has flourished.  Please do not cower to those who throw off all moral restraints and insist upon separation of church and state.  Thomas Jefferson never wrote it in order to squelsh the godly.  He wrote it to restrain the far reaching arm of the government.

 Go bless,  

     Pete

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE SERIES

 

Come join us each Sunday night of October, from 6-8 pm as we watch and discuss three - 28 minute episodes of The American Heritage Series with historian, David Barton.

Oct 7	6 p.m.	Unearthing America's Christian Foundation
Oct 14	6 p.m.	The Faith of Our Founding Fathers
Oct 21	6 p.m.	Our Biblical Constitution  Is America A Christian Nation?
Oct 28	6 p.m.	Church & State and The First Amendment

Discover the forgotten and astonishing story of our nation’s foundation in the American Heritage Series. For centuries, Americans were taught a truthful view of history that recognized the Godly heroes and moral foundation our nation was founded upon. But in recent years, a new version of history has assaulted the moral and spiritual fiber of our nation, leaving the truth of our past eliminated and forgotten. Until today. From Separation of Church and State, to the Civil Rights Movement, the heroism of our founding Fathers to the building of our nation’s monuments, this series will inspire every American to reclaim the Godly, true story of our nation. Join historian David Barton and experience the untold story of our nation’s history in the American Heritage Series.