The First Amendment and Separation of Church and State?
III. What about the First Amendment and Separation of Church and State?
The biblical concept of separation of church and state became part of The First Amendment to the United States Constitution, partly because of the influence of Baptists. It reads in part,
Notice if you will the phrase
Thank God this has changed in the last 200 (+) years. Now neither an individual state nor the federal government can establish or prohibit a religion. Sadly, however, the First Amendment is often interpreted by some to mean that God must be kept out of government all together. This was not at all the intent! “Prove it.” You say. One needs only to visit Washington D.C. (and I hope to some day) to see the inscriptions on many of the public buildings and monuments. God is clearly spoken of in speeches and actions of many of our national leaders (this is true even today).
The First Amendment’s intent was unmistakably to keep the government from interfering with religion. However, one may ask, "Should Christians get involved in government?" Allow me to quote brother Joe Scoggins, “Indeed, we should, especially in a democratic republic, be extremely involved in guiding the thoughts of elected officials, voting for or against them and preventing them from instituting a state religion.” Amen!
I encourage my readers to visit a fellow Letter Carrier, and a good friend of mine at maildad for some practical ways to get involved in the communities around us.
What are ways you and I can get involved in government?
What ways can we affect our communities for good?
What can we do to encourage godly politicians?
Next post: How Can Government Control the Churches?
The biblical concept of separation of church and state became part of The First Amendment to the United States Constitution, partly because of the influence of Baptists. It reads in part,
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, orThis Law governs our nation in matters of church-state relations.
prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”
Notice if you will the phrase
“Congress shall make no law…”few today understand that the First Amendment was to be applied to the federal government only, that it’s intent was to keep the government from establishing any denomination as officially sanctioned or forbidding any denomination free exercise thereof. (Both of these occurred in England, but that is another story.) A number of of the original thirteen states had their own established religion, a state church. The states did not want to loose their power to establish or prohibit a religion to the newly formed federal government of the United States of America.
Thank God this has changed in the last 200 (+) years. Now neither an individual state nor the federal government can establish or prohibit a religion. Sadly, however, the First Amendment is often interpreted by some to mean that God must be kept out of government all together. This was not at all the intent! “Prove it.” You say. One needs only to visit Washington D.C. (and I hope to some day) to see the inscriptions on many of the public buildings and monuments. God is clearly spoken of in speeches and actions of many of our national leaders (this is true even today).
“IN GOD WE TRUST”is even inscribed in our money.
The First Amendment’s intent was unmistakably to keep the government from interfering with religion. However, one may ask, "Should Christians get involved in government?" Allow me to quote brother Joe Scoggins, “Indeed, we should, especially in a democratic republic, be extremely involved in guiding the thoughts of elected officials, voting for or against them and preventing them from instituting a state religion.” Amen!
I encourage my readers to visit a fellow Letter Carrier, and a good friend of mine at maildad for some practical ways to get involved in the communities around us.
What are ways you and I can get involved in government?
What ways can we affect our communities for good?
What can we do to encourage godly politicians?
Next post: How Can Government Control the Churches?
posted by J. Wendell at 6:48 AM
11 Comments:
John, Great post!
One of the biggest ways we can influence government is with prayer. 1 Timothy 2:1- Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
Remember, Paul wrote this during the time of Nero, the one of torching Christian fame.
I believe that when we do not lift our government officials in prayer we are living in disobedience to God, and missing out on the biggest way to influence.government.
By
mark pierson, at 13/4/06 7:27 AM
Here in Britian we have an established church.
The Church of England is connected to the state.
The Queen is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England. She appoints all bishops on the advice of the prime minister.
The Church of England is excempt from the law against blasphemy (which only protects the Church of England).
All schools must have a daily act of worship of 'broadly Christian character.'
There was a recent embarassment when the Home Office propoased a test for immigrants about British culture. One question asked 'Who is the head of the Church of England?' Neither the home office nor the Church of England could give a clear answer.
There were three possible answers- Christ, the Queen or the Archbishop of Canterbury. Technically, Christ is the head, though the Queen is sort of His deputy. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the top dog bishop.
Very confusing. I think the Aemrican way is simpler.
Every Blessing in Christ
Matthew
By
Matthew Celestine, at 13/4/06 12:05 PM
Good post, John.
I am humbled to be quoted on such an astute blog!
By
Joe, at 13/4/06 7:24 PM
Hi Mark,
That is a real way to be actively involved for sure. Thanks for pointing this out. This is a real act of spiritual worship too.
Hi Matthew,
That is very interesting thank for educating me. How does that effect other religions there?
Hi Joe,
Your middle name isn’t Luke is it? (Never mind.) Thanks for saying so Joe, where I have been blessed to glean wisdom from others I like to share what I’ve learned.
God’s blessings to you brothers,
John
By
J. Wendell, at 13/4/06 10:50 PM
There is complete freedom of religion.
Schools of any religion can receive state funding, provided they submit to the national curriculum. There are academics and secularists who are opposed to this.
There is little popular desire to seperate church and state. It does not really bother very many people.
If there was a prime minister who was not a Church of England member, there would be the difficult question of whether he could select bishops as the prime minister is supposed to.
Every Blessing in Christ
Matthew
By
Matthew Celestine, at 14/4/06 6:51 AM
Thank you for your gracious response Matthew. I find this fascinating. Are you saying that anyone can have a school, if they teach what the national curricula dictates?
brother John
By
J. Wendell, at 14/4/06 4:35 PM
Hi James Fletcher Baxter,
Welcome to the Earnest Contender.
I am no expert here… so correct me if I’m wrong, are you saying that corporation, union, university, school, state, county, city, or persons et al. can establish and enforce a certain religious view? If so how is that liberty?
brother John
By
J. Wendell, at 14/4/06 4:36 PM
Any private school can be set up regardless of whether it follows the national curriculum (though it will be subject to inspection).
A religious school can be set up and receive state funding if it follows the national curriculum.
Every Blessing in Christ
Matthew
By
Matthew Celestine, at 15/4/06 8:05 AM
Oh (lights coming on)! Thank you Matthew... I think I get it now.
God bless,
brother John
By
J. Wendell, at 15/4/06 4:15 PM
John: "Sadly, however, the First Amendment is often interpreted by some to mean that God must be kept out of government all together. This was not at all the intent!"
Amen and Amen!
By
Dawn, at 25/4/06 11:29 AM
It is a sad fact.
By
J. Wendell, at 25/4/06 10:55 PM
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