church-state's blog

This week marks to death of megachurch pastor Rev D. James Kennedy of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church after a steady decline in his health.  Over several decades he built a congregation of some 10,000 members, and spoke regularly to three million more by radio and TV.  In the last few years, he established an office in Washington D.C. with the purpose of " Reclaiming America for Christ" .

Most folks see no problem. Don't preachers have every right to try and persuade others?  Years ago, Kennedy stated his purpose without apology: "There are some who would accuse us of trying to Christianize America.  Am I trying to Christianize America?  You bet your boots I am!"

Muslims, Buddhists and atheists, along with many varieties of Christians, are among those who have been elected to the U.S. Congress.  Reactions have been varied. Is this a good thing, or something to be lamented?  A panel and discussion will take place Saturday, April 21.  To kick off the discussion, panel members are Jeff Allstadt, Jim Bailey and Bud White.

 This is a public meeting sponsored by The Clay County Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State: Saturday, April 21, at 10 am, at the Fleming Island Public Library, 1895 Town Center Blvd. Welcome.

Just what does it mean to describe America as a "Christian Nation"?  The fact is that our nation has two traditions regarding the place of religion.  The first tradition we have wisely rejected.  The second we have wisely embraced, and it has served us well.  

The first tradition began with the earliest settlements in North America in the 1600's.  Most of these settlers were earnest Christians.  Unfortunately, along with great courage and fortitude, they brought with them age-old patterns of established churches and the demand that every community must practice  religious uniformity.  So Colonial America became yet another land of religious tyranny, with self-styled "Godly" authorities enforcing their particular views on everyone, often in savage ways. Officers of church and state worked hand in hand, claiming the divine right to stamp out any "unorthodox" views.

He said it out loud this week:  "I am a Unitarian who does not believe in a supreme being." His name is U.S. Rep Pete Stark (D.Calif).  He has been in Congress since 1973. He is perhaps the highest ranking public official to say --- out loud ---- that he does not believe in God. 

I think we should salute him for his honesty. Obviously, there are other non-believers in elected office, but only Stark has chosen to speak his mind. The fact is, he "represents" millions of Americans who make up a significant minority of our citizens. A University of Minnesota study estimated atheists at 3% of the U.S population; a Pew survey found 11% declaring "no religion", or agnostic; and a Harris Interactive poll put nonbelievers at 9% with an additional 12% expressing uncertainty (L.A. Times Editorial 3-15-07). So Pete Stark has lots of company.

The Georgia Legislature has now made it optional for public schools to teach the Bible. It remains to be seen how many local school districts will take up this option; or how many students will choose such an "elective" course.  What is clear is that Georgia's action is highly problemmatic, and opens pandora's box again.  

On the one hand, there is nothing to prohibit teaching about the Bible's history and literature, for instance, just as long as this does not involve evangelization or the promotion of a sectarian interpretation.  Former Supreme Court Justice Tom Clark spoke of this in the 1960's: "It might well be said that one's education is not complete without a study of comparative religion or the history of religion and its relationship to the advancement of civilization....Nothing we have said here (in the Schempp ruling) indicates that such study of the Bible or of religion, when presented objectively as part of a secular program of education, may not be effected consistently with the First Amendment." 

The principle of church-state separation is one of my passions.  I'm a staunct advocate. I think the Founders of our nation did us a great favor in establishing this great principle, namely, that everyone should have freedom of religion (chose your own spiritual path, or none at all); and that the government should stay out of religious matters (i.e. no support/no promotion/no funding). The principle of church-separation has created a nation where religion is vital and flourising (just look around you), and where we have avoided the violent religious conflicts that devastate so many places in the world.