Separation of Church and State

"I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should `make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between church and State"— Thomas Jefferson

This is an excerpt from a private letter written by Thomas Jefferson to the elders of Danbury Baptist Association in 1802 (this language is not in the Bill of Rights). It's purpose was to encourage the Association that the 1st Amendment (enacted only 11 years prior) would protect them from the State establishing restrictions on their freedom of worship. It simply means that a denominational church cannot govern our country.

This clause was intended to protect us from suffering the same kind of persecution as was committed by the Church of England. This institution was not only an oppressive government, but severely violated and perverted God's moral principles as well. For this very reason, the "Separatists" (Christian Pilgrims) escaped from their homeland after decades of persecution, imprisonment and even execution by this State Church—simply because they wanted to read the Bible for themselves and worship God in their own way. When these weary and weak Pilgrims arrived in the "New World", they established their own form of fair and equal self government in the creation of the Mayflower Compact.The legacy of acknowledging and depending on God, coupled with the intention of protecting the people from religious persecution was expressed in the 1st Amendment to the US Constitution.

This same amendment also protects the free exercise of faith—including government.

Our governmental heritage is steeped in Godly principles. "We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure and perpetuate its blessings, do establish this Constitution." Similarly, each of the 50 states esteems our Creator in the preamble of their constitutions as our source of protection, rights, freedom and blessing. The United States official national motto is "In God We Trust". Christmas is a federal holiday, and many schools and companies shut down for a week or two. Though not required by the Constitution, most US presidents have placed their hand on a Bible and concluded their inaugural oath with the affirmation, "...so help me, God". None of these imply any establishment of a "State Church". They are simply a reflection of the heart of a nation that acknowledges the source of Truth and Justice. Ronald Reagan said, "If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under."

The 1st Amendment also assures every American the right to speak their mind—privately, publicly, on television or radio—to express their thoughts, opinions and positions. But it does not presume to shelter those who disagree from being 'offended'. There are plenty of laws that protect individuals from crimes of slander, liable, threats and violence—but feeling offended is not one of them.

In a country where we have such diversity and freedom, there are obviously going to be disagreements. God challenges us to be peacemakers whenever possible. Romans 12:17-19 2 Corinthians 8:21 But when it comes to His moral principles, compromise is not an option. Romans 12:9 As believers in Jesus Christ, we are citizens of Heaven Philippians 3:19-20 Ephesians 2:19-20 where we have the privilege and responsibility to do what is right in God's eyes.

Act justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly with your God. •

Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

—Our National Anthem, Francis Scott Key 1814