Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Why does separation of church and state only go one way?
Christian Post ^ | 09/06/2019 | Michael Brown

Posted on 09/06/2019 7:59:29 AM PDT by SeekAndFind

Let’s put aside for a moment that the current idea of “separation of Church and state” is not what the Founders (specifically, Thomas Jefferson) intended. I simply want to make an observation. When liberals quote the Bible to support their views, nobody bats an eyelash (aside from conservatives raising charges of hypocrisy). When conservatives quote the Bible to support their views, liberals howl, “Separation of Church and state!”

But this has been the pattern for years. Christian faith on the left is praiseworthy. Christian faith on the right is dangerous.

Think back to the 1988 presidential elections when both Pat Robertson and Jesse Jackson ran for president.

In September 1987, the New York Times announced, “Robertson Quits as Baptist Minister.”

He did this in order to run as president, thereby making clear he was not doing so a gospel minister but simply as another citizen of the United States.

In contrast, Jesse Jackson continued to be known as “The Reverend Jesse Jackson.” No problem at all! No conflict, no confusion, no issue.

It’s the same until this day.

For years now, Senator Ted Cruz, along with other, conservative Christian candidates, are accused of holding to dominion theology, meaning, they want to impose a Christian theocracy on the nation.

Is there even a shred of evidence for this? Not a chance.

But why should that stop the fearmongers who cry out, “Separation of Church and state!”

In contrast, Mayor Pete Buttigieg can quote the Bible to his heart’s content to support his immigration policies (and other policies), and that’s perfectly fine. No separation of Church and state here.

What happens when conservative Christians quote scriptures to support their views on abortion or same-sex “marriage”?

They are hate-mongers and bigots who want to impose their view of God on America. They are dominionists and theocrats. They are dangerous!

What happens when liberal Christians quote scriptures to support their views on abortion or same-sex “marriage”?

They are enlightened and tolerant. They are people of conscience. They are helpful. They are virtuous!

In the same way, it would not go well for a conservative to quote Scripture in support of the Second Amendment. But it’s no problem when a liberal like Alyssa Milano quotes 1 Peter 4:8 in support of gun control. (For the record, I’m not equating the right to bear arms with the sanctity of life in the womb or the definition of marriage as one man and one woman for life. I’m simply comparing the right’s use of Scripture with the left’s use of Scripture. And I’m making no comment about Milano’s misuse of 1 Peter 4:8, which is completely unrelated to gun control.)

Someone might say to me, “But you’re missing the whole point. The issue is not quoting the Bible. The issue is your interpretation of the Bible. Your views are dangerous. The views on the left are not. We’re for a women’s right to choose, for a couple’s right to love each other. You’re the ones with the bigoted and destructive views. You’re the ones trying to impose your values on us.”

But that is entirely beside the point (aside from the fact that the arguments are easily refuted on other grounds).

The point is the alleged separation of Church and state, period.

That alleged separation does not only apply when the religious views are deemed dangerous. It applies across the board, as in, “You can’t bring your religion to bear on public policy!”

Again, that is the opposite of what the “wall of separation” was intended to do (it was intended to keep the state out of the Church and to prevent a one-state religion).

But in keeping with the contemporary misapplication of the principle, it is only enforced in one direction.

We only hear cries of “Separation!” when conservatives point to Scripture to support their views.

Someone might protest, “But you’re still missing the point. Evangelical Christians are a large and substantial voting bloc, so their religiously-based votes are more dangerous.”

But, to repeat, that is to miss the point. The alleged separation is not based on numbers but on principle. Let it be applied equally both ways. (And would the Democrats have any problem if large numbers of liberal Christians voted their way? Hardly.)

Of course, my preference is that we rightly understand what the wall of separation is about, and that we then apply it equally, keeping the state from meddling with religious affairs.

But until such time that we get that right, then let the liberals shut down the leftist ministers who openly support their politicians. And let the liberals tell Mayor Pete to stop quoting Scripture. And let the liberals cry “Separation” on their own people.

I don’t think so!

Ironically, at the same time that the Democrats now present themselves as the party for the non-religious, they welcome religious support for their views. As long as the theology is left-leaning, it’s kosher.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: church; faith; michaelbrown; publicsquare; religiousliberty; state

1 posted on 09/06/2019 7:59:30 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

SEPARATION OF SCHOOL AND STATE


2 posted on 09/06/2019 8:10:54 AM PDT by TheNext (Leader of the Happy People of the World)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

The humans that control the information in our society are all-in for Satan. Some actively and consciously.

It’s all according to the plan. But we also know how it all ends!


3 posted on 09/06/2019 8:17:08 AM PDT by Spruce
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Everything with liberals goes one way.


4 posted on 09/06/2019 8:19:23 AM PDT by outpostinmass2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

There will be no mention of the separation of church and state next year when the Democrat nominee for president gives campaign speeches from the pulpit at black churches.


5 posted on 09/06/2019 8:19:46 AM PDT by GreenHornet
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

For the same reason sexism, racism and sexual pride only go one way.

Hypocrisy.


6 posted on 09/06/2019 8:21:45 AM PDT by polymuser (It's discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit. Noel Coward)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Because its a liberal pipe dream.

They get to have it like they want it.


7 posted on 09/06/2019 8:29:05 AM PDT by Delta 21 (Be strong & prosper, be weak & die! Stay true.... ~~ Donald J. Trump)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Delta 21

There is no room for GOD in the Marxist world.


8 posted on 09/06/2019 8:46:15 AM PDT by Don Corleone (Nothing makes the delusional more furious than truth.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Poorly worded headline. It was meant to be one way, as the article notes:

“Again, that is the opposite of what the “wall of separation” was intended to do (it was intended to keep the state out of the Church and to prevent a one-state religion).”


9 posted on 09/06/2019 9:40:57 AM PDT by IndispensableDestiny
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

The “establishment” clause is meant to prevent a singular state sponsored religion as, Henry VIII did in England, at the exclusion of all other religions. The “free exercise” clause, within the same sentence, is meant to guarantee the right of all citizens to worship as they choose without interference from the state and is intentionally overlooked by the left as they force their opposition into performing services they are not religiously comfortable. It is a clash between “equal protection” and “religious liberty” that the Supreme Court is avoiding.


10 posted on 09/06/2019 10:52:43 AM PDT by vigilence (Vigilence)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

It’s easy, leftists and atheists hate the Bible and true Christians because they fear us, they know the power of God and they do all they can to fight it at every turn. Remember that leftists do nothing unless it advances their power. Hence the screaming with white cops kill a black person as opposed to black killing anyone, especially other blacks. Don’t try to make sense of what leftists do, just be ready to fight back.


11 posted on 09/06/2019 10:59:38 AM PDT by Midwesterner53
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Cause libs say so.


12 posted on 09/06/2019 12:36:16 PM PDT by Renkluaf
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Is the author surprised that the world is evil and doesn’t play fair?


13 posted on 09/06/2019 1:18:01 PM PDT by aimhigh (THIS is His commandment . . . . 1 John 3:23)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Separation of Church and State is not in the Constitution, and it is in any case meant to protect the Church, not the State.

What too few on the Christian conservative side understand is that (thoughtless) Traditionalism is not (conscious) Conservatism.

Jimmy Carter was actually mocked by the left for his traditional views, but he was far from being any conservative.

Like him, many Anabaptist/Arminian types (”Evangelicals”), although portrayed as among the most conservative in Christendom, are in fact “liberal” Democrats - like Jimmy Carter.

I have served in the church. I have extensive experience with many denominations, including the macro-pseudo-denomination labelled non-denominational, and I know this to be true.

Are any of such conservative? Yes. Are such uniformly conservative? Emphatically, no.


14 posted on 09/06/2019 3:13:24 PM PDT by YogicCowboy ("I am not entirely on anyone's side, because no one is entirely on mine." - J. R. R. Tolkien)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Because Democrats say so


15 posted on 09/06/2019 3:48:31 PM PDT by okie 54
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson