Why Church / State Separation is Crucial
The examples of how badly church and state combine are numerous - from either the standpoint of good religion or good government.
As a Christian, I inherit the examples from Judaism - where God discourages the people from seeking a king but allows them to experience the consequences. The people repeatedly suffer as their leaders distance them from God. In Christian terms, I would suggest that relying on a governmental relationship with God distorts the nature of our relationship with God. Phrases like "render unto Caesar", "do not pray in public", etc. come to mind. The hypocrisy of religious leaders whose public / governmental behavior (and imposition of their standards on others) is inconsistent with God's purpose runs throughout the New Testament.
As an American, it is clear that our government was founded in part based on a reaction to religious intolerance. Our government was crafted with the clear and strong realization that any government risks becoming tyrannical and that allowing religion to be a part of that mix is extremely dangerous.
Combining the two - as an American Christian, I am particularly concerned about keeping Church and State separate. I do not have children - but I cannot imagine a Christian parent wanting their child to receive religious training in a public school. Churches typically put high standards on those called to lead and to teach - standards relating to how they live, what they believe, how they communicate, etc. Can we reasonably demand those things of public school teachers? I would teach my child to pray wherever and whenever they felt moved and to participate in corporate prayer with like believers - but my child should pray whatever corporate prayers are forced on them? Are you kidding? I do not understand why more Christian parents are not outraged that people want to force corporate prayer in situations divorced from religious training, experience and insight. It is one thing to see consenting adult, NFL-playing Christians gather for a pre- or post-game prayer and another to see an entire high school team forced to gather for some "prayer" by someone who may or may not understand anything about religion.
I ask my government to stay out of religion as much as possible. I believe my religion accepts my role as a citizen of this country (just as Paul told slaves to be good slaves and Jesus said "Render unto Caesar..."). I realize that occasionally the roles may conflict - and I pray for God's guidance should I ever be forced in such a situation. For example, as a Christian I am called to forgive - to turn the other cheek. As a citizen, I may be called to participate in our country's defense (if no longer as a warrior - as a contributor to a war effort). I respect that our country has concepts like "conscientious objector status" to accommodate the religious beliefs of some. I believe my religion allows the flexibility to participate as a citizen within reason. Are there gray areas? Of course. But my participation as both a citizen and as a Christian are enhanced to the extent that both are kept separate.
One final question: why do Christians fight for the display of the Ten Commandments? Christians are New Covenant people! Reminds me of a discussion of the death penalty where a supposed Christian said, "Whatever happened to an eye for an eye? Aren't we supposed to be a Christian nation?". When I reminded her that what she seemed to want was a Jewish nation, she fell silent...
email me at doug@hardts.net