This month, I want to talk about a perennial issue, one that tends to bubble to the surface of political discourse again and again, but one that is also often poorly understood. That issue is the Great Separation — the separation of church and state.
The Constitution makes clear that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” This seems pretty straightforward. However, I’ve noticed a trend among commentators calling for a greater role for religion in regard to the state. Often, the precise role they feel religion should play is very vague; specific policies are usually not called for. Nonetheless, it is a troubling trend.
The revolutions of thought that led to our nation’s founding had their roots in the turmoil of religious wars in Europe. Several factors led to the conflicts that plagued the continent, obviously, but it’s no stretch to say that religion was one of them. Out of this tumult, modern thought was born, which in time inspired our founders to break away from the tyranny of the Crown. They structured the new nation largely on the principles of modern philosophy, especially on the thought of men like John Locke, among others.
In my opinion, Locke makes a solid argument. Spreading religion by state power fails because you can’t change someone’s beliefs by beating them into submission with penalties.
This is not to say that I’m condemning religion. I’m simply saying that it should not be wed to government. People should be free to practice their religions as they see fit, and the Constitution guarantees as much. However, I do stand firmly in the tradition of thought that led to our country’s creation, and in doing so condemn the integration of church and state.