Freedom of Religion

Is freedom of religion possible without the separation of church and state?  When I first read this question I thought yes of course it is possible.  But the more I thought about it I changed my mind.  If church and state are not separate then there can’t be freedom of religion.  If this state is based on Christian principles then what freedom does that leave for non-Christian religion?  By combining church and state we force others who aren’t a part of our religion to do things that aren’t a part of their religion.

            The first aspect we must look at is what church we are trying to keep separate (or in come cases not separate) from the state.  The most common religion in America is Christianity, and while some think of America as a Christian country, it isn’t.  The founders of our country, regardless of whether or not they were Christian, believed that the only way to ensure religious freedom was to keep it separate from the state.  They actually tried to avoid basing it on a religion and wanted to make it a secular state.

From the beginning the country had religious settlements and some that weren’t.  Some were set up to empty the prisons and get rid of social nuisances/ outcasts or were founded for the natural resources and strategic positioning.  The debate of separation of church and state was fundamental in drafting the constitution.  They knew what it was like to live under a state church.  Maybe those who no longer want a division of church and state and want a strong Christian influence believe this way because they have never lived under a state religion and don’t know what it is like.  Everyone seems to either want to separate the Christian churches from the state, or put more Christian influence in.  But what of other religions such as Judaism or Buddhism?  You don’t see anyone trying to get school kids to read the Torah or do meditation practice.  This lack of attention towards other religions alone shows me that church and state should be separate.

  America was partly started by people who were trying to get away from religious oppression.  The Separatists, Protestants, and Quakers were trying to get away from being forced to follow beliefs that weren’t their own.  They came to have religious freedom.  America is one of the few countries that doesn’t have a national religion.  In fact, that is one of the reasons that so many people like to come here.  They can practice as they please without having another religion being forced upon them.  Let’s not change that wonderful difference about America by having Christian, or any other religious influence in public places.

            Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that people shouldn’t be allowed to show their religion, I’m just saying it shouldn’t be part of the government.  If someone is wearing a cross, Star of David, or head covering they aren’t combining church and state.  They are just letting their beliefs be known.  They aren’t forcing people to participate in their religious practices.  However, when one person crosses the line and tries to get a public service, such as a school, to force the other person to participate in a practice not of the latter’s religion, that is when freedom of religion no longer exists.  As soon as the state favors once church over another there is no separation of church and state or freedom of religion.

            Taking the most conservative view of minimal government with the least amount of regulation as possible it is still agreed that the state is necessary for certain things.  Such as, military defenses and police protection of property.  Religion is an individuals attempt to answer the big questions. Where did I come from and what is going to happen to me when I die?  What happens if the police/state isn’t separate from religion?  If police start to enforce one religion it takes away all freedom. It doesn’t take much imagination to see what happens when the state/police gets mixed with religion.  Getting the government involved in religion has nothing to do with defense or protection of property and therefore from that point of view shouldn’t even happen.

            Without the separation of church and state there is no religious freedom.  No religion must be favored over another.  If we make one religion superior over all others then America will be no different from any other country that has a national religion.  People should however, be able to show their religion, just not force it on others.  If the government promotes one religion over another it oppresses all other religions, making religious freedom impossible.