On Religion and Morality

In his farewell address, President George Washington said, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensible supports.” (Washington, 2008)History shows us that religion was an important aspect in the lives of our Founding Fathers and to most of them God had an active role in their lives. There were a few deists, but most clearly saw the hand of divine providence directing their actions and protecting them. It was with divine sanction that they declared their independence against impossible odds. Even Thomas Jefferson, who was not a very religious man, attend church services because he felt that it was owed his “sanction” and he contended that “no nation had has ever existed or been governed without religion.” Because he was President of the United States he felt he had an example to set. (Novak, 2008) Religion was important enough to the framers of the constitution that they made special provisions for religious freedom. What is the role of government in religion now?

The first Amendment to the constitution states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” (Constitutional Convention, 1787) In an explanation of the meaning of this amendment, Judd Patton states and that it was meant to “protect religion from government intrusion” (Patton, 2008). Rauchut confirms this by indicating that the purpose of the 1^st Amendment was “crystal clear” and that the federal government would be prohibited from establishing a “single national denomination” (Rauchut, 2008) History is replete with examples that showed our Founders saw religion as not only advantageous to the formation of a morale nation, but was critical to the establishment and maintenance of a republic. Where, then, did our modern judges get the idea that the founders were opposed to anything but a strict and complete separation of church and state? Interestingly enough it was Thomas Jefferson.

In the Danbury letter, written to a Baptist congregation in Danbury Connecticut, Thomas Jefferson assured the Baptists that there was no intention on the part of the Federal Government to create a nationally recognized religion. He was quoted as saying that there was “a wall of separation between Church and State.” (Dreiscach, 2008) The Supreme Court has ruled in a number of cases for a separation of church and state referencing this wall that Jefferson mentioned in his letter. It is “far-fetched legal reasoning to give it the force of law,” (Patton, 2008) yet that has turned out to be the case.

With an understanding of the current liberal judicial perspective on the separation of church and state we must now examine the repercussions of such a legal precedent. Justice John Paul Steven’s called the lowering of any wall designed to separate church and state a threat to democracy. (Dreiscach, 2008)They say that it is the only way to protect religious liberty (Dreiscach, 2008). Can government give official recognition to any sect or religion and not, in some way discriminate against others? Alexis de Tocqueville indicated in his Democracy in America the conflict that can exist between the different religions. He compared Islam and Christianity with obvious favor towards Christianity because of its political neutrality, but in our modern America would not the Muslim contend that his religion is just as true as Christianity and, if that were the case, would not all aspects of their religion be as pertinent to the administration of our government (which Islam incorporates). (Tocqueville, 2008) Yet another demographic is the atheists who deny religion’s importance at all citing that “praying to a god makes no more sense than praying to a chicken. At least you can see a chicken.” (Silverman, 2008) It is easy to see how the idea of mixing church and state would seem not only objectionable but silly to the atheist.

In contrast the founders supported religion and politics based on the syllogism: “Morality is necessary for republican government; religion is necessary for morality; therefore, religion is necessary for republican government.” (Spaulding, 2008) There are those opposed to the strict and total separation of church and state who predict dire consequences that will come from this wall of separation and the moral decay sure to follow.

For a devoutly religious person, religion is even more important than it is for those who simply see it as a tool to shore up the moral foundation of the population. For some it is so important that they will teach their children about it. They may believe that religion is so important that their immortal souls stand in jeopardy of damnation if they don’t adhere to religious precepts. Parents who are very religious and active in their churches will likely insist that they be the ones that indoctrinate their children. Their own religious standards may make them good citizens and they expect that by raising their kids the same way that their children will also be good citizens.

People who are of a different denomination, for example those who are Muslim as compared to those who are Christians, may feel the exact same way. A Muslim will not want their child, in school to pray to the Christian God. Many Christians may not want their children to pray to Allah, but when equal access is given to all denominations in a public setting sanctioned by the government, there may easily be situations arise that cause religious strife. And what if there are those who come along who pray to a chicken? They would have the same expectation of inclusion and people of other religions will likely find this strange and offensive.

In matters so critical, it is the family that must have the opportunity to protect their children spiritually. They must be able to enter a government institution and find nothing there that may be offensive to their religious sensibilities. They may say, “for me…Islam is not right.” A Muslim would, likewise, say Christianity is wrong. In our country both are entitled to their opinion and both have every reason to expect the protection of the constitution and rule of law to protect their right to feel that way.

Religion does have a place in American society. Joseph Loconte said it best when he said, “We American’s jealously enforce the separation of church and state – but not the separation of faith from life.” (Loconte, 2008) Religion is a personal matter. Government should encourage people to follow the precepts of their religion without interference… as long as those precepts do not infringe upon the natural rights of others. They should not favor one religion over another but should promote faithful adherence to religious principles on the part of its citizens. That is the way to build the moral fiber of our nation and protect democracy and liberty.

This country was founded by men, most of whom, worshipped or believed in the Judeo Christian God. They went to church. They believed that by following the teachings of the Bible, teachings like, “Love your neighbor” and “forgive men their trespasses” and “lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth.” (Matthew, 2008) Society would, by virtue of this influence, enjoy a moral stability that would allow the republic to remain free and to be a decent place to raise future generations. While the separationists certainly have gone astray in their use of the wall of separation and have employed it to encourage a godless government and some might say even a godless America, religion is so personal to many Americans and so important that Government should stand back and encourage its citizens in their exercise of religion, protect their religious liberty, and then leave well enough alone.

Works Cited

Constitutional Convention. (1787, December). The Constitution of the United States of America. Kirkpatrick Signature Series Reader , 120-130.

Dreiscach, D. (2008). The Mythical "Wall of Separation": How a Misused Metaphor Changed Church-State Law, Policy & Discourse. Kirkpatrick Signature Series Reader , 315-322.

Loconte, J. (2008). Why Religious Values Support American Values. Kirkpatrick Signature Series Reader , 358-361.

Matthew. (2008). Gospel of Matthew. Kirkpatrick Signature Series Reader , 332-334.

Novak, M. (2008). Faith & American Founding: Illustrating Religion's Influence. Kirkpatrick Signature Series Reader , 304-310.

Patton, J. W. (2008). The "Wall of Separation"Between Church & State. Kirkpatrick Signature Series Readaer , 328-331.

Rauchut, E. A. (2008). American Vision and Values: A Companion to the Kirpatrick Signature Series. Omaha: Bellevue University Press.

Silverman, H. (2008). American Religion Undermines American Values (Oxford Union Debate). Kirkpatrick Signature Series Reader , 323-325.

Spaulding, M. (2008). Meaning of Religious Liberty. Kirkpatrick Signature Series Reader , 312-314.

Tocqueville, A. d. (2008). From Democracy in America (1835). Kirkpatrick Signature Series Readaer , 326-329.

Washington, G. (2008). From Farewell Address (1796). Kirkpatrick Signature Series Reader , 311.