Separation of Church and State
- “Separation of Church and State” is being greatly misinterpreted by our society, resulting in one of the most misguided concepts of our day. As a result, many unsuspecting, misguided politicians, historians and educators have failed to teach the true meaning of that phrase. The original intention of that phrase was meant to prohibit the establishment of an “official national religion.” The separation was intended to prevent any single church from dominating the state and dictating the affairs of the country, thereby dictating the practice of religion according to one sect or one religion. It was never intended to exclude prayer from our schools, or reference to God in the Pledge of Allegiance, our national anthem, or printed on our money. We were given freedom of religion, not freedom from religion.
- Many error in interpreting “Separation of Church and State” to mean that church/religious beliefs and government should never touch, let alone overlap. Our Founding Fathers were men of great faith, who looked to God for help and inspiration; and they had no problem seeing and acknowledging the hand of God in the birth and continuance of our nation.
- George Washington gave credit to God for the victory over the British in the Revolutionary War; and he also referred to the Constitution as a miracle. “When Washington was desperately hard pressed at Valley Forge, his men found him on his knees praying for guidance and aid. Yes, this nation has a spiritual foundation.” (American Association of School Administrators, Atlantic City, New Jersey, February 14, 1960)
- Common sense should convince citizens that if the Founding Fathers intended that we should divorce government from any formal recognition of God, they would not have promoted numerous religious depictions within our state and federal government buildings; or mentioned God in the Declaration of Independence four times; or written “In God We Trust” on our money; or invited a Reverend to open the First Continental Congress meeting with prayer in 1774.
- Furthermore, prophets and disciples of God throughout the Bible have spoken out against the immoral or unjust actions of political leaders. God said to Moses, “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” (Leviticus 25:10)
- “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” (John Adams, 1st Vice-President and 2nd President of the United States)
- Our Founding Fathers wanted to make sure religion and government were in alignment.
As you walk up the steps to the building which houses the U.S. Supreme Court, you can see near the top of the building a row of the world's law givers and each one is facing one in the middle who is facing forward with a full frontal view ... It is Moses and he is holding the Ten Commandments!
As you enter the Supreme Court courtroom,the two huge oak doors have the Ten Commandments engraved on each lower portion of each door.
As you sit inside the courtroom, you can see the wall, right above where the Supreme Court Judges sit, a display of the Ten Commandments!
There are Bible verses etched in stone all over the Federal Buildings and Monuments in Washington, D. C.
James Madison, the fourth president, known as 'The Father of Our Constitution' made the following statement: "We have staked the whole of all our political Institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government, upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God."
Every session of Congress begins with a prayer by a paid preacher, whose salary has been paid by the taxpayers since 1777.
Thomas Jefferson worried that the Courts would overstep their authority, and instead of Interpreting the law, would begin making law an oligarchy, the rule of few over many.
Today, some feel that everything we have done for 225 years in this Country is now suddenly wrong and unconstitutional.
- Study and teach others the true meaning of "Separation of Church and State" which is being greatly misinterpreted by our society, resulting in one of the most misguided concepts of our day. As a result, many unsuspecting, misguided politicians, historians and educators have failed to teach the true meaning of that phrase. The original intention of that phrase was meant to prohibit the establishment of an “official national religion.” It was never intended to exclude prayer from our schools, or reference to God in the Pledge of Allegiance, our national anthem, or printed on our money.
- Stand strong for freedom of religion. Become well-educated on this issue, and take responsibility to pass on to future generations the religious freedom you now enjoy.
"Every man who conducts himself as a good citizen, is accountable to God alone for his religious faith, and should be protected in worshiping God according to the dictates of his own conscience." (George Washington)
"Religious liberty is eroding not only in the United States, but around the world. Churches, religious organizations and individuals face increasing restrictions as they participate in the public square, exercise conscience in their professions, express their beliefs, or serve in society." (What is Freedom of Religion, by L. Tom Perry)
- Religious freedom is a right contained in the very first amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It prohibits the federal government from making a law "respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
- "In today's world, religious freedom is more often affirmed than put into practice. It is often threatened, and not infrequently violated. The serious outrages against this fundamental right are a source of serious concern, and need to be confronted at the global level." (Pope Francis, speaking about religious freedom on Vatican Radio, June 2012)