By Jeff Neff
Yes, we've finally raised the bar for equality in race relations in America and elected our first black president, but history is going in reverse for many Americans as we know it; having our liberties swept from under our feet, and our founding principles trampled as we live the new segregation called, "separation of church and state." The First Amendment reads:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."
In reading the First Amendment, observe how the freedom of speech is a right given to protect people from the government; and the press with its liberties meant as a watchdog on the government; and the people having the right to protest and disagree with the government. Now, look at the most debated and misunderstood right at the top of the list in this Amendment, and discern what makes it different from the others; at least by today's "standards."
The Altoona Mirror had an interesting article stating that Mayor Wayne Hippo would not run for reelection, citing that one of his accomplishments was moving the Ten Commandments to a place with less visibility; in other words, he compromised against the Constitution's intent. Not to downplay the positive impact he may have had on the city, but this is just an example of how close to home this article will be.
All of these rights, to include the freedom of religion, are meant to protect the people from the government; not the government from the people, but when this fundamental principle is ignored, the ideas themselves become whatever people want them to be, and in this case, the separation of church and state.
This idea is from a letter written by Thomas Jefferson to Baptists who initially wrote him a letter of support after his election with the words, "...thus building a wall of separation between Church and State."
Just as politics are today, they were vicious then, too. Jefferson's opponents labeled him as an atheist since he would not take steps to impose a religious establishment as president, but this did not mean that Jefferson believed that religion had no place in American Government.
As a federalist, Jefferson understood that the power to construct religious practices and customs was delegated to the states, not the federal government. His critics scorned him for making such a reversal in policy, since he established days for prayer and fasting as governor of his state.
The wall of which Jefferson spoke of is actually between the federal government and the states and their respective customs. In this context, the State, being a sovereign country; as opposed to a state, or territory within a sovereign country, is the federal government. The separation is the obvious reference to federalism and the powers separately granted to the states; meaning that Jefferson understood that in creating an establishment would be usurping the rights delegated to the states.
The federal government has increased its size and influence in the areas which should be the absolute rights of the states, and has begun a foreseeable path towards socialism.
Many fail to understand that compliance with the federal government is never in the states' interest, as the Framers have set them up to be rivals; but many at the state and local government levels have forgotten that the states created the federal government, and are constitutionally entitled to publicly fund and promote religion no matter what the federal government does.
Today, we face yet another form of segregation which is different from our past history; where Christians are passively prohibited the free exercise of their religion through government institution and expansion of the reach of government
This submissive form of coercion has led to a silent majority of Christians who feel that their rights have been trampled on by those who claim to represent them, local or state. The states have submitted to the will of the federal government by adopting a distorted idea of Jefferson's letter, and throughout the year, Christians are reminded of that as school districts, boroughs, townships, and state governments prohibit the mention of Jesus Christ and references to Christianity routinely.
Creating barriers between government and religion was not the intent of the Founding Fathers in the least. Just as the people and the press are the watchdogs against the government, so should be religion. We are and should be proud of breaking racial barriers in the Land's highest public office, which demonstrates America's ability to overcome its weaknesses. Sadly, we are in need of institutional reform in all levels of government, to avoid a catastrophic breach of trust between the people and its government in relations to religious freedom.
Separating Christianity from the rest of public life is only the beginning of this segregation period, and unlike our past mistake, this one knows no color.
