The Separation of Church and State – Has anyone actually read the Constitution?

Separation of Church and State. That phrase is used by everyone. Where does it come from? What does it mean? Is it in the Constitution? The Bill of Rights? The Declaration of Independence? No one knows because the answer is none of the above. And no one seems to know it. I even heard a TV anchor call it the “Constitutional Separation of Church and State.” Some editor missed a fact check.

But the phrase is used as fact to address every issue from school prayer to creation vs. evolution to displaying the ten commandments to faith-based groups being approached by the government. I’ll bet it was even used to fight lawmakers trying to tell Georgia teens how sexy they could be when they danced at school.

The phrase in question actually comes from a letter (available from the Library of Congress) from Thomas Jefferson to three Baptist gentlemen in Connecticut in 1802 and is not part of our legal system. Jefferson wrote this to interpret the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, Amendment I, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;…" This is commonly referred to as the Establishment Clause. What it means is the government cannot say you have to be a Presbyterian or a Christian or a Jedi to be an American. What it does NOT mean is that anyone with a problem with religion of any kind can invoke five sacred words and have their way.

So stop hiding behind the catch phrase and let’s look at the issues.

School prayer – some people want it. Really? Any prayer? A prayer before a football game or graduation to God, Jesus, Allah, Vishnu, Satan, or the positive energies of the universe? What if someone’s prayer demands something distasteful to another religion? The law is that government – here in the form of your local schools – cannot decree that a prayer to this deity is OK and prayer to another one is not. So the sticky part is to allow the “free exercise thereof…” without respecting one establishment. Can’t be done.

Creation vs. Evolution – believe what you want. What should be taught in school? How about math, reading, writing, and real science? Evolution can be taught if you remember it’s only a theory. Creation can be discussed because it’s an alternative theory. We can debate all day (or read 35 million web sites) on which is more accurate. Lay out the alternatives and discuss pros and cons. Let students think like they’re supposed to and we’re good.

Ten Commandments – It’s always been ironic to me that the Supreme Court is decorated with the ten commandments, but these arguments still continue. The ten commandments are not unique to any one religion. And while it’s true that there are religions out there that do not recognize them as having any value, I don’t care if alleged criminals have to walk past religious laws of Babylon on their way to court. As long as you don’t put someone away for coveting his neighbor’s… um stuff, you’re not violating the letter or spirit of the law.

The next time someone rambles off the “separation of church and state” phrase, check their motives and call them on the table. That my friends is common sense.

Steve Adams was born and raised in Ohio, graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Computer Science degree in 1988, and subsequently moved to Lexington KY. He has worked at Lexmark International since 1989 and has been a Part Time Local Pastor at St. Luke UMC since 2004. He is married with two children. He is not politically correct, but is politically active. He is a registered Republican, married to a registered Democrat, and running for President of the United States as a write-in candidate on the independent ticket. No joke. You can read all about it on www.PresidentAdams.com or e-mail Steve directly at Steve@PresidentAdams.com.

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