The Importance of the Separation of Church and State
I had never been to such an exclusive spot before. Only accessible to friends or family of one of the most powerful people in the world, I sat in marvel. The room was gorgeous, lined with the best redwood and marble that money could buy. The brown leather seats were comfortable, though I had expected more cushion for the leaders of the free world. But the lack of back support was not the only thing that amazed me about the House of Representatives Chamber.
Two things stuck out about the marble backdrop of the Chamber, the first of which was an enormous American flag. It was hardly a surprise that the American flag was displayed in such a fervent manner. After all, it is the job of United States Representatives to “represent” the people who elected them. There is undoubtedly no more inclusive way of accomplishing this than by proudly displaying the most widely recognized American symbol. No other symbol could possibly better incorporate the beliefs of every American. Yet, there was another symbol that was represented in the backdrop above even Old Glory herself. Displayed more prominently than any text I had ever seen before and written in bold, gold letters were four simple words: IN GOD WE TRUST.
To say that I was surprised to see this phrase would be an exaggeration. As the country’s official motto, I see it all the time. Every dollar and dime that I have ever earned has contained the motto. If I win this scholarship, my reward would even be tainted with the phrase. What is wrong with this picture?
The representative democracy that we have set up in America is called “representative” for a reason. The government is supposed to not only be by the people, but for the people. This does not mean some of the people or most of the people, but all of the people. I should be represented as much as any other American, Ted Haggard included. For this to happen, the government cannot endorse religion in any way, never mind making it the motto and putting it on every morsel of currency.
It is also important to take a look at exactly what it is that the collective we is endorsing. Which god are we talking about? With Hurricane Katrina virtually wiping out the city of New Orleans, I certainly do not feel comfortable trusting Poseidon. And due to our many low quality Italian restaurants, it also seems irresponsible to place our trust in the noodly appendages of any flying spaghetti gods. Or do we place our trust in the Christian god that eternally tortures anyone who does not follow his critically acclaimed work of literature, the Holy Bible. Due to the fact that this includes over a quarter of Americans, it is probably also unwise to trust in this god. Maybe we should instead trust in democracy, justice, the constitution, freedom, reason, or evidence. We would likely even be better off trusting in pizza. Everyone believes in pizza and it has surely led to more peace than any god. The only contention is over which provides more comfort.
Let me be clear, however, that it is hardly just meaningless mottos that harm the state. Religion almost always excludes others. This “us versus them” mentality strikes fear into people and ensures a sense of pride in members that is guaranteed to increase retention. Therefore when religion is endorsed by states, oppression is a guaranteed consequence. If, for example, the Christian church was to take over the three branches of the United States, the consequences would be tragic. Imagine the Constitution being replaced with the Bible. Violence against homosexuals and nonbelievers would undoubtedly increase, as in multiple cases the Bible calls for the death and/or torture of both of them. Birth control of any kind would have to be made illegal, which would lead to a catastrophic increase in sexually transmitted diseases.
In many parts of the world, religious law is already implemented. The most common form of religious law that is practiced is Islamic law, which is also the third most common legal system in the world. As a result of using the Koran as a law book, rape is often legalized, women are forced to cover their entire bodies, heretical games such as dice are strictly forbidden, and in nine countries homosexuals can be put to death for sodomy. There has to be a better way. As Thomas Jefferson put it, the only solution is a “wall of separation” between the church and State.
People are increasingly requiring evidence for what they believe and, as a result, reason is taking the place of faith. Christianity has decreased by ten percent over the past twenty years while atheism has nearly doubled. Most Americans no longer want to have religious dogma forced upon them, yet any overlapping of the church and State requires this.
Rather, we must live in a secular society so that people may practice their religions as they wish, without forcing it upon others. This secularization of the government will undoubtedly lead to a better world. Of the top five atheist nations, four of them (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Japan) are also on the list of the top ten most peaceful nations in the world according to the Global Peace Index. When religious dogma is kept entirely out of government, we can begin to have an honest discussion about morality and what the government’s role should really be in determining what is right and wrong for its citizens.
