Can you explain to me in simple language what separation of church and state mean? I don’t need a long, patriotic answer. I just wonder when it’s appropriate to take action when my child is told not to play a hymn during a recital or to pray.
Answer:
Equality?
Thank you for your question. It’s an important one because many of our children are being asked not to bring up their faith in more and more situations at school or at work. Astonishingly, this is true even while Moslem students are gaining their right to practice their faith at public schools and in airports.
Where do we draw the line? When does this infringe upon our civil rights and become a mild form of persecution in our once free country? In one instance, for example, a local public school teacher was harassed and asked to take out the word “blessings” in personal email. Yet, a Moslem student was allowed religious garb and practices in the same public school! Is that infringing upon our freedoms? You tell me…
Jefferson’s Personal Letter
Believe it or not, there is no clause or amendment to the 1787 Constitution that addresses this issue in the way the public perceives it. Rather, the firmly entrenched idea of separation of church and state came from one of Thomas Jefferson’s personal letters. In his letter Jefferson was attempting to assure a Baptist Association that the federal government would not interfere with their church. Ironically, secular historians have used this letter to prove the opposite! Go figure. (Ham 2010, 2).
Who is Protecting Whom?
According to Ham “The Establishment Clause in the First Amendment was intended to protect the church from the (federal) government, not the government from the church. Therefore, no ‘national’ church or religion is allowed to be established by the federal government” (Ham 2010, 1).
As a reminder the applicable words from the First Amendment state:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”
In short, if the Government got into the business of establishing a church it could then have a monopoly on the exercise of religion. That is just what has happened in Communist China.. Churches must hold a permit to congregate in a public place. All other religions are not given permits to operate unless they conform to the rules of the State.
Thoroughly Brainwashed
All of us know perfectly intelligent, educated people (including many of our finest school teachers) who can’t seem to wrap their minds around this statement. It is shocking because it is taken directly from the First Amendment.
But, you can’t really blame them. That is because we have been repeatedly brainwashed against Christianity for a number of years. No matter how long we stare at those First Amendment words we can’t seem to comprehend them anymore. Isn’t that amazing? It makes me wonder how many other cliches and truisms we accept without thinking because of persistent propaganda aimed at our hearts and minds.
Puritans
Naturally, all of us want to believe we live in a blessed country, and we do. It is a matter of history that the first settlers in our country were Bible believing, God fearing people. Most had come from the Puritan movement in England to escape persecution from their government’s approved church. They desired to find religious freedom in a new world. They were just trying to escape the government’s infringement upon their religious views.
Today we retain the word “God” in our salute to the American flag. His name is on many of our popular coins and we sing about Him in popular songs. But, I wonder how long that will last? Secularists have deliberately changed our perceptions of documented history and the pursuit of religious freedoms. They are teaching our children that the State must be separate from religion. And since the State is in charge of education, the State must not allow religion in “their” schools. Amazing propaganda…
Romans 1
Pastor John MacArthur points out that “Romans 1 sets forth precisely the path our nation has followed in its spiritual decline.” …”According to this passage, when people remove God from their consciousness, ban His name from public discussion, and make Him politically incorrect, the inevitable result is that all their thinking becomes futile, and their foolish hearts are darkened. Professing to be wise, they become fools (v. 22). The Greek word translated ‘fools’ there is “moraino” – literally, ‘simpletons.’ It is the root of the English word “morons.” (MacArthur 2002, 54).
Maybe that’s the reason we have turned history upside down. Have we become a nation of “morons” or “simpletons?”
Secret Christian Work Illegal?
The Voice of the Martyrs organization has published a small tract that we suggest our readers acquire. It’s called, “Is Secret Christian Work ‘illegal’?” In it Dr. Tom White asks, “Is secret Christian work wrong because this dishonors Scriptures concerning obedience to the government? When does our obedience to the government become disobedience to God?”
Dr. White suggests we try to picture the following scenarios:
– Realizing her disobedience to the state, the mother of Moses surrenders Moses to the authorities. Moses is killed and the Jews remain in slavery.
– Joseph and Mary realize that sneaking Jesus out of Bethlehem is probably in defiance of King Herod’s wishes. Jesus is murdered with the other children.
– First century Christians are embarrassed they are called “atheists” because they refuse to worship Caesar. Having listened to theologians who preach about obeying governmental authorities, they turn over their addresses of catacomb meetings and quit smuggling Bible texts. Christianity ceases to exist.
Romans 13 Governmental Authorities
White makes good points! Unfortunately, some in our churches are teaching obedience to the state to the exclusion of personal faith. We all know Romans 13: 1-2: “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities…” Yet, these extreme legalists have perverted the meaning of some Bible passages and forgotten Peter and the apostles’ cry, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
Ancient Survival Techniques
White teaches, “Many Christians know little about the survival techniques of 2,000 years of Christianity under conflict. Some Christians patently reject persecuted Christians because they are not from their own denomination. Others make up fake theologies saying real Christians should never be persecuted. Some do not wish to face the fact that each Christian is called to be a ‘partaker of Christ’s sufferings’ (1 Peter 4:13)” (White 2010, 4).
Legalists
Yet, what do these same legalists do with Luke’s statement in Acts 5:41? “So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.” The author of Hebrews notes, “For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one” (10:34).
Yes, we should be “subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors…” (1 Pet 2:13-17). But, we must also read these passages about obeying authorities in the context of other scripture passages which clearly reveal the early Christians’ firm commitment to spreading the gospel message regardless of current laws.
Using Deception?
White asks, “Can a Christian use deception when confronting evil? Certainly, such situations are in Scripture: Rahab hiding the spies, etc. Is it wrong to write “tourist” on your visa application when your purpose is to deliver the Word of God or share Christ? If you wrote “missionary,” you would not get in. Do you tell a rapist where your daughter is hiding? We do not need to feel guilty about such deception, just as King David did not feel guilty for acting crazy and slobbering in his beard so his enemies would release him” (White 2010, 7).
Intent Turned Upside Down
Ironically, secular American scholars have turned the original intent of the First Amendment on its head. It is now used to shield the government from any church influences. It is their cry for political freedom from church rules or laws. Of course, this idea would have seemed preposterous to our Founding Fathers.
One Religion over Another
If this is so difficult to comprehend, ask yourself why Islamic practices and influences are taking root on college campuses while Christianity is banned? What is the “real” motivation here? If secularists truly desire a “neutral” position why do they tolerate any religion at all?
Neutrality?
Sadly, even Christians “have falsely believed that there can be a neutral position, and have also been duped regarding the so-called “separation of church and state.” So they are not properly prepared “to boldly and unashamedly stand on the Word of God as they confront issues like abortion, ‘gay’ marriage, racism, etc. By shrinking back, believers have allowed the secularists to impose their anti-God atheistic religion on the public schools – and the culture as a whole” (Ham 2010, 2).
Tea Parties & Protests?
It is our opinion that Christians must return to obeying God rather than men. We don’t need to necessarily join “tea parties” or protest movements, but we do need to understand the Biblical commands and follow them the best we can. We might determine to go about our own business and share the gospel with whomever the Lord leads to us. We don’t need to put bumper stickers on our cars and decorate our work desks with religious paraphernalia. But, we do need to be ready to… “sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence” (1 Pet 3:15).
Not everyone will exercise their faith in the same way. We all have been given different gifts and must do those things which, for conscience sake, keep us in obedience to God’s Word.
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References:
Ham, Ken. Separation of Christianity and state. Answers update. Volume 17, issue 4. www.answersingenesis.org. (accessed June 1, 2010).
MacArthur, John. 2002. Can God bless America? Nashville, TN: W Publishing Group.
White, Tom. 2008. Is secret Christian work illegal? Pamphlet. Bartlesville, OK: Voice of the Martyrs. www.persecution.com.
Authors Ken Emilio holds an M.A. in Biblical Studies from Louisiana Baptist University and a V.O.M. Certificate in Persecuted Church Ministries from Oklahoma Wesleyan University. Valorie received the M.A. in History from UCLA focusing upon early church history.
Students: Please note that we are using the Harvard Citation Style (similar to Turabian author-date) which is computer-friendly and allows for some variations in format – not in content. Always check with your professors for required style and format.