Week #8 Separation of Church and State

Referring to keeping religion out of the governmental structure of America, separation of church and state is a concept that has long been debated.  In the first Amendment, the Constitution proclaims that ‘government shall make no establishment of religion.’  However, as the Atlantic on June 15, 2011 states, nowhere in the Constitution does it say that there should be a separation of church and state, merely just that the government does not favor one religion over the other. However, there has long been a push to remove religion from every basic public event – like the pledge of allegiance in schools, or the inscription of the 10 Commandments on courthouses.  Religion makes people uneasy, and religion in government makes people even more uneasy. Unless it’s your religion of course.

            Justice John Paul Stevens argues for the separation of church and state in a Supreme Court case dissenting opinion.  Because allowing one religion to be more prominent than another in governmental places (like the Texas state courthouse), it could make people who practice other religions feel excluded. Since the government is supposed to represent every U.S. citizen, no one should be made to feel like an outsider in such public places. Stevens also points out that founding fathers, including Thomas Jefferson and James Madison were wholly against including religion in governmental practices and structures because it could be used as an influence towards one side or another.

            On the other hand, Justice Antonin Scalia also uses the Originalist argument by stating that the United States has an intricate history with religion.  George Washington opened his Presidency with a prayer.  Technically, the Constitution does not demand a complete separation of church and state, since those words are nowhere to be found subsequently together. Scalia goes on to state that the main religions practiced – Christianity, Islam, and Judaism all have similar beliefs – such as the Ten Commandments seen on the front of the Texas State Courthouse.  Thus, when there is a clear majority for it, traditional structures should not be removed from society’s landmarks. 

            On a personal level, I agree with the separation of church and state.  If even one person feels excluded from basic governmental structures and programs, then whatever traditions or laws are in place are wrong.  All citizens share the same right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  If differing opinions on religions stands in the way of that basic right, then religion should be removed from the public equation and remain a private practice.