Preview

Separate Church and State

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
2593 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Separate Church and State
Brent L. Robinson
Robert M. Forker
05 Mar 2012
Separate Church and State

Organized religion has undoubtedly played a key role in educating and civilizing local populations. It cannot be underestimated the role organized religion played in acting as the glue that binds a people together. Without attempting to place judgment on which religion holds the most merit or even the validity of religion itself, I will explain why the founding fathers of this nation saw fit to keep it separate from government they created. Although there are many forms of religion, the majority usually have four simple characteristics; 1. The existence of good and evil.
2. A set of laws and regulations that are generally based on morality.
3. Unlimited reward or punishment for adhering or failing to adhere to the tenants of the religion and
4. Living representatives who are by divine right given the authority to administer the operations on earth. The representative could be either a single person or up to an established group.

In short, Organized Religions were the first forms of government. Although it would seem logical that since they all are derived from the same sort of mold, they would interact with each other with ease. Unfortunately, that is not the case. History has shown us that rather than agreeing to peacefully coexist, the representatives on earth wage violent wars with emphasis on converting or total elimination of religions different than their own. However, there were times when the conquered peoples customs and portions of their religion would merge with their conquerors. Simply losing a war was not always sufficient to convince people to abandon their religion. The immediate belief was that they were being punished and after strict adherence and repentant period, they would rise again victorious. To nullify that effect and ease the conquered people into their new station, some religious merging was usually allowed. Though

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    |9. Nontheistic |The belief in one god as the creator and ruler of the universe without rejection of |…

    • 391 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    religion we see fit—a tenet of American society. After all, the established religions in our society…

    • 742 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Throughout all of history and even today, religion has played a major role in the lives of many people and society in general. A time in history where this is prevalent is in the 17th and 18th centuries; the colonization and the building the original 13 colonies. In fact, religion played such an important role in the colonies that religion was sometimes the stem of inner conflict in the colonies. However, on the same hand, religion also had a way of being common ground among the colonists. Religion united the colonists when all were free to worship what faith they wanted and how they wanted to worship and a direct result of this religious freedom was emerging political ideas;however, when religious intolerance, or concern for only one particular…

    • 137 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    This abstract reading written by Robert N. Bellah, introduces the idea of a “Civil Religion” and argues that, apart from the normal religious traditions our nation follows, there is an unrecognized “Civil Religion” that becomes evident during national crisis or during high public ceremony. According to Bellah, “there actually exists alongside of and rather clearly differentiated from the churches an elaborate and well-institutionalized civil religion in America.” Bellah points out many different examples to prove his point of how “Civil Religion” has been expressed throughout history. First Bellah points out that every president since Washington has mentioned God in his inaugural speech. Next he points out that the presidents did not refer to any religion in particular. They did not refer to Jesus Christ, or to Moses, or to the Christian church. Last a significant point that Bellah makes refers to the Civil war and “Civil Religion”.…

    • 641 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    CH. 12 Political Space

    • 1220 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Organized religion can be a centrifugal force; it competes with the state for people’s allegiance…

    • 1220 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Best Essays

    Kennedy, John F. “Speech to The Greater Houston Ministerial Association at the Rice Hotel in…

    • 447 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    Early American society was greatly influenced by Christianity and secular thinkers alike. Our founders formed their revolutionary ideas and embodied them in our constitution. But to deny the fundamental Christian principles that helped found our country would be a travesty. The fundamentals of Christianity and secular thinkers worked in concert with each other to form a unique ideology that made our country prosperous and helped us develop one of the most unique and lasting forms of government. These ideas were woven into a masterful document that has survived the test of time and continues to support and guide our modern country today. We can trace these unique ideas back to a handful of profoundly brilliant farmers, bar owners, and merchants…

    • 620 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Church vs. State

    • 2756 Words
    • 12 Pages

    One of the most controversial points that is being debated in America today is the argument of church vs. state. Some people strongly believe that “In God We Trust” should be removed from the dollar bill, and “One nation under God” should be removed from the pledge of allegiance, because they feel that that is like forcing a certain faith upon people in a free country. Others strongly believe that we should keep those sayings on the money and in the pledge because it’s sticking to what America’s founding fathers believed and wanted. It is evident that this topic is hotly debated, but it is not yet evident which side is right.…

    • 2756 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Religion can be defined in simple terms as a fundamental set of beliefs and values in regards to the creation of the universe and the powers that are responsible for such creation, usually involving one or many deities. While there are numerous religions recognized throughout the world and society, there are basic components of all religious traditions. According to Molloy (2010), scholars agree that most religions manifest themselves with 8 common elements: belief system, community, central myths, ritual, ethics, characteristic emotional experiences, material expressions, and sacredness.…

    • 902 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    G.K. Chesterton depicts the early republic as “a nation with the soul of a church”1 meaning that America was founded on religious principles. Many of those who came to the colonies did so for religious refuge from the Church of England. Although there were many independent religious groups in the new colonies, the commonality they shared was the desire to practice their separate beliefs. This religious foundation influenced the political and social structure of the colonies as they became an independent and separate nation from Great Britain.…

    • 1629 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Religion has played a major role in our country since the beginning. Our Founding Fathers were very devout Christians. This country was set up with the intent of having our religous freedom secured. They passed laws that created a separation of church and state. However, in recent years this separation has began to deminish. Our government should stand and protect the rights our Founding Fathers instilled in this country.…

    • 459 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Religious freedom has been a staple of the American doctrine since the Bill of Rights. Since then, religious freedom has been challenged repeatedly. From the Supreme Court’s rulings that have shaped religious freedoms, Congress’ enactment of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), the religious accommodations that have been challenged after the legalization of same-sex marriage, and the religious obstacles that Muslims face. Religious freedom has been and continues to be a center point in American politics.…

    • 1530 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    John Locke was a proponent of the separation of church and state. Locke mentions the differences between civil government and the church. The government’s primary goal is to protect external interests, such as life and liberty. The church, on the other hand, protects internal interests, such as salvation. Since religion is such a personal matter, Locke believed that the government should not force any one to convert to a religion. A person cannot be forced into believing something that they do not believe in. Government and church serve different issues; therefore, they must be treated as separate institutions. Additionally, Locke argues that more religious group prevent civil unrest rather than contribute to it. He believes that civil unrest…

    • 397 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Religion According

    • 419 Words
    • 2 Pages

    often at the demise of the poor and helpless. The misuse of God isn't limited…

    • 419 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    * Prophetic, where prophets convey the message of God without discriminating between the masses and aid in the purification of the soul.…

    • 1953 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays