Separation of Church and State

The title of this post is a phrase that is often used by secularists and atheists to justify the removal of any Christian symbols from public property. Nativity scenes are popular targets for these people during this time of year. Here is a story from Texas:

National Group Wants Courthouse Nativity Scene Removed: MyFoxDFW.com

Don't you love how it's always some small town in the south that gets targeted?  Well, Vern, we're just simple folk who don't know nuffin about nuffin but God and guns.  Them big cities are just too scary for me.  I mean hell, how am I supposed to drive my tractor through Times Square with all them people millin 'bout?  Shoot, Vern.  When's the NASCAR race commin' on?  I gotta go get my limited edition Dale Earnhardt (God rest his soul) dual beer can helmet and my Skoal Bandits.

What concern is it of a Wisconsin non-profit group that a Texas town has a Nativity scene on their courthouse lawn? This isn't about protecting the rights of non-Christians. This is an assault on Christianity itself. The term, "Separation of Church and State" is not found in our Constitution. Its believed origin is from an 1802 Thomas Jefferson letter in which he describes a "wall of separation" between church and state.

Atheist groups often refer to the "Establishment Clause" of the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution to justify removal of Christian symbols from public grounds.  The Establishment Clause reads,

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion".

What they fail to do is include what is known as the Free Exercise Clause which immediately follows the Establishment Clause. It reads,

"or prohibiting the free exercise thereof". 

How can you advocate the removal of ANY religious display without conflicting with the Free Exercise Clause?  Let's be honest.  These groups are primarily anti-Christian and this is their favorite time of year.  Sure, they'll throw in a lawsuit against someone displaying a menorah or a Muslim crescent every now and then, but the vast majority of their complains are against Christianity. 

Before you are so quick to quote Thomas Jefferson, let me share a couple of his other quotes with you.  The first relates to religious expression:

"The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg."

And this one regarding the government's relationship with the church:

"If anything pass in a religious meeting seditiously and contrary to the public peace, let it be punished in the same manner and no otherwise as it had happened in a fair or market."

Separation of church and state is a myth.  The religious clauses of the First Amendment were written specifically to prohibit an establishment of an official state religion and to allow people to express their religious beliefs without fear of state persecution.  You can site all the Supreme Court rulings and writings you want, but the religious clauses of the First Amendment will not change, despite the notion put forth by some that the Constitution is a "living and breathing document", but that's another issue.

The display of a Nativity scene on a courthouse lawn does not qualify as an "establishment" of a religion and therefore is not subject to examination under the Establishment Clause.  If this scene somehow kept people from other religions from exercising their religious freedom, then yes, there would be grounds for a suit under the Free Exercise Clause.

This is a very organized effort against Christianity.  Like I've said before, just say what you're goal is.  If you are anti-Christian, just stand up and say it.  If you are a Christian, just stand up and say it.  Don't hide behind fancy catch phrases.  If you don't agree with something in your town, stand up and say it!  But if it's on the other side of the country and it doesn't affect you in any way, just butt out.