One of the profound views held by the founding fathers of America would be that all its citizens can live in a land where they can practice their individual religious beliefs. However, this may be somewhat confusing particularly because majority of the people during the late 18 th century were primarily Christians. On that note, many may believe that America’s religious view is Christian. The first amendment clarifies this notion as it clearly states that the federal government through the powers of the Congress shall not create laws that would uphold an establishment of religion or prohibit the free exercise thereof (Madison, 1787). Through the enforcement of this law, it is evident that the government wishes to protect the religious rights and freedoms accorded to its believers while affirming that it has no place in interfering with them especially when their actions are in line with the law. The practice ensures a clear separation between the state and religion.
There are a number of countries across the world whose governments institute religious beliefs as part of its laws. Majority of them are usually in the Middle East among other Islamic states in Africa where citizens can be punished through fines or incarceration for failure to abide by the religious laws. The US Constitution prevents the government from imposing sanctions on which religious values its citizens should uphold or not. It has been a system that brought about the association of America as the land of the free. In relation to religion and religious institutions, the citizens and the residents alike are allowed to practice whichever believes and values that they would wish as long as they do not break the laws or interfere with the rights of other peoples. In this regard, I believe that religion or religious institutions should not be allowed to form political parties nor should they attempt to gain influence in the workings of the government. As the founding fathers intended, these two entities should be completely separate to enforce a heterogeneous society that enables citizens to be free to choose their preferred religion. In so doing, the state will be able to successfully attain the vision set out for its people.
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Records of the period during the attainment of independence have shows that Thomas Jefferson was an atheist. When he became the third US President, there were concerns raised by the Danbury Baptist Church that his lack of faith in the Christian God would have a negative impact on the religious beliefs of the people. However, Jefferson aptly responded to their concerns through a letter that clearly expressed his perspective on religion that it “is a matter solely between man and his God” (Jefferson, 1802). As the leader of the free world, he believed that his government and those that would follow do not have the powers to intrude on an individual’s beliefs. In this practice, Jefferson believed that religion only encompasses two parties; man and God. Therefore, the concerns of the church would be settled as the state would continue its operations as a separate entity.
The landmark Supreme Court case Everson v. Board of Education of 1947 has significant influence in reinforcing America’s standing on the influence of religious institutions on the government. The petitioner, Everson, felt that the Board of Education had violated the Establishment Clause which prevents Congress from creating a law respecting an establishment of religion. In this regard, Everson believed that the Board’s action to reimburse parents of students attending parochial schools for the cost of providing transportation was a clear violation of the law. The Supreme Court ruled by a vote of 5 to 4 upheld the state law that reimbursed parents for the cost of busing their children. While Justice Hugo Black noted the “wall of separation” that is created by the establishment clause, he points out that the aid in question served the secular interests of the state in getting children “safely and expeditiously” to school. In so doing, the Board of Education was acting per the limitations of the law. The majority opinion provided by Justice Black evidently shows the intention of the first amendment as it ensures a clear separation of the state and religion, while guaranteeing equal treatment of the people.
Despite the fact that majority of the founding fathers were devout Christians, their creation of the Declaration of Independence evidently shows the intentions they wished to uphold for the country. The declaration did not incorporate their religious views as they believed politics and religion should remain apart. It states that “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal”. Thomas Jefferson and other founding fathers of this great nation demonstrated that while there are multiple differences between them, the America they would wish to create was one where equality would prevail regardless of religion. The leaders that would follow would also help in upholding this belief that each citizen would maintain personal values and beliefs that would guide their life, but should not interfere with the same right of others especially if they are different from their own.
In the contemporary world, there are religious leaders who advocate for the continued separation between politics and religion. Rabbi Jonathan Saks a British Orthodox rabbi, theologian, author, philosopher, and politician is among those to advocate for the detachment between religion and its influence on the government. However, it is clear that this divide is complex and not as clear cut as many might think. In one of his numerous books, “To Heal a Fractured World”, Rabbi Saks identifies ways that individuals can lead a meaningful life in the modern society. He points out various concerns associated with responsibility, ethics, and their involvement in religion. It is evident that in one way or another, religious beliefs have provided members of society with values that can be implemented in political leadership. Chapter four of the same book quotes a bible verse, “For I desire loving-kindness, not sacrifice, Acknowledgment of God, rather than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6). The quote is intended to set a strong foundation for the chapter that goes on to discuss aspects character and values that are universal through stories.
Rabbi Saks’ book first discusses a story that affected an African American family that had just moved into a neighborhood that was predominantly populated by Caucasians in 1966. As it is well known, this was at a time were the Civil Rights Movement was at its peak and tensions between the whites and blacks in the country were particularly high. The story goes on to discuss an eleven-year-old boy who was a member of the African American family as he sat at the steps of his new home awaiting greetings from the neighbors and the potential adventure of making new friends. He did not consider that the color of his skin would lead to his alienation as he was ignored time and again. However, his determination and hope for a better future was a driving force that enabled him to keep trying. Eventually, a woman living across the street went into her house and returned with drinks and treats to welcome the new family. According to Rabbi Saks, this one act of kindness was an integral factor in “ breaking down a wall of separation ” and helped “ turn strangers into friends ” (Saks, 2005). The tale depicts character and values that are associated with Jewish culture, but may be applicable to all people irrespective of their religion. In this regard, government may use such ideals.
The second story takes place after the Holocaust during the ceremonial third Shabbat meal. The tale highlights a discussion between a Hassid and his Rebbe, as the former asks why the Messiah had not yet returned. Based on the Torah’s scriptures, it would seem that the time was appropriate for the Messiah to return and bestow judgment against those who do not believe in him. The Hassid recites the Torah highlighting that Jesus will come at the end of days when a power rules a decree that would be harsher than that of Haman who the scriptures state tried to wipe out the entire Jewish community. The decree by Hitler seemed similar in that respect. However, the rebbe noted that each individual belongs to their individual sect of Hassidism and may believe it to be the ideal path. Therefore, even if the Messiah would return at the moment, he would barely receive acknowledgement as he would not fit the limited perceptions of “normal” society. The tale was intended to demonstrate the need for equal treatment of all persons as though they were all the Messiah as he “will surely come in disguise” (Saks, 2005). The story is clear evidence of how all human beings seek for a world that is near perfect where the government and politicians act to benefit the citizens. It is for this reason that the constitution separates religion and the state to keep all of them at an equal standing.
The writings of Rabbi Saks highlight various characteristics and values that are critical in the enforcement of equality including clear ethics and respect of people. The modern society is highly diverse and requires the incorporation of these values. For individuals to uphold the ideals that were set by our founding fathers it is critical that respect of the human being is at its core to ensure that equality is present in all area. We are fortunate to be living in a country where the equality of all men is prioritized and highly valued (Jefferson, Declaration of Independence, 1776). However, not all other nations uphold the same values. We should be grateful to our founding fathers who helped create a country that provides freedom to its entire people. The vision is that no group shall take precedence over another. In this case, rather than incorporate a particular religion into the law, all are kept aside from the state and treated equally.
Christopher Clausen in his 2007 article “America’s Design for Tolerance” discusses the calm nature of religious conflicts in the country compared to other areas of the world. He asserts that most faiths share an essential core of beliefs in the power and goodness of God (Clausen, 2007). Rabbi Saks supports this claim as per his writings of altruism. It is evident that religious values are humanitarian and advocate for benevolence. When the constitution states that the religions and the state should be separate, this does not mean eliminating their influence of values into the government. Alternatively, it points to the appropriate application to avoid favoring one religion over another.
In conclusion, I do not believe that the religious groups and institutions should not allowed to form political parties and they should not attempt to gain influence in the workings of government for their views and values by entering the realm of political discourse and attempting to elect their own politicians. Allowing the religious groups to have their way with the political practices of the country would wreck havoc in the enforcement of law and order. In a society where there are multiple things that make human beings different from one another, religion would create a larger divide among the people. From the independence of America, the nation was established on the premise of separating the state from the religion and it should continue as such. I do believe that practicing a particular religion brings about positive effects on the individual and the society at large. However, these benefits do not extend to the governance of the country.
References
Clausen, C. (2007). America's Design for Tolerance . Retrieved from Bellevue University: http://content.bellevue.edu/cas/la/400-410-420/pa/pdfs/claussen-tolerance.pdf
Jefferson, T. (1776). Declaration of Independence . Retrieved from Bellevue University: http://idcontent.bellevue.edu/content/CAS/eBooks/Kirkpatrick/Book1.pdf
Jefferson, T. (1802). Letter to Danbury . Retrieved from Bellevue University: http://content.bellevue.edu/cas/la/400-410-420/pa/ebooks/book-2.pdf
Madison, J. (1787). The Constitution . Retrieved from Bellevue University.
Saks, R. J. (2005). To Heal a Fractured World . New York: Schocken Books.
