I have procrastinated writing this little bit about why I think separation of church and state is so important; and if I am to participate, it must be done in an impromptu, stream-of-consciousness fashion, so please forgive any lack of organization.
I am at the moment conceiving of a "what if" scenario regarding NO SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE, WHEREBY THE STATE IS AMERICA AND THE CHURCH IS RUN BY JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES. "What!" you say. "That would never happen!"
Well, maybe a state run by the Catholics . . . perhaps that's a bit more conceivable? Or perhaps a state run by the Baptists? Or the Unitarians? Which would you prefer? Perhaps a state run by Muslim Law would work for some of you? Ahh . . . how do we decide which religion? Christian? But what about all the Jews? And what about the undecided and the agnostics and atheists? How shall they be represented and treated in a society that operates from a position of exclusionary ideals based on membership and status within one particular religious organization? Not well, would be my gander.
Now without any further commentary, I think that any sane, democratic person can easily comprehend why we simply cannot operate a democracy in which religion determines how the infrastructure and bureaucracy operates because religions tend to be totalitarian in their idealism, however sincere they may be, and will by their very nature exclude participation by those who disagree with their paradigms or particular world views, and that would not a democracy make, now would it?
Perhaps I'll return to add more, or perhaps others will add to my thoughts in the comments area. Comments that are civil and well-thought are appreciated.
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you hit the nail on the head.
ReplyDeletehow do we choose?
we saw what happened in England from the reign of Henry VIII till Elizabeth. a Catholic on the throne resulted in burning Protestants -- and vice versa.
and, this country could go the same route if a certain [minority -- at least I hope so] group gets its way.
Two crows, why do you "hope so"?
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
ReplyDeleteGood post. I wrote about this issue last year for BAT. If we go by majority rule (and this is USA after all, so why not?), then the Catholics win. They are losing members fast, but are still the largest religious group in the country.
ReplyDeleteIf the evangelical Christians just think about that for a minute, they may wish for Separation of Church & State, since they surely wouldn't want the papists in charge.
Humm, maybe that's why Gingrich converted to Catholicism?
Yes. I don't want to be witch-hunted. Not that I'm a witch, but sometimes I sink if you leave me in water.
ReplyDeleteYou make an excellent point about religious ideologies being incompatible with democracy, which makes state/church separation so important.
ReplyDelete