Time to Clarify This ‘Separation’ Misconception

Congratulations to the United States on its 250^th anniversary! Many nations and governments have risen and fallen during that span of two-and-a-half centuries, and here’s hoping the “American way” continues to survive and thrive for many years to come. 

Is our nation perfect? Of course not. However, in the history of humankind there’s never been a perfect nation. But it’s fair to say the United States is unique and exceptional in numerous ways. As I noted in my last post, many foreign visitors to the U.S. for the World Cup can attest to that.

 

Determining what makes our nation distinctive is fodder for endless debate, but much credit goes to two documents that have spanned the 250 years and continue serving as guideposts for our society. These, of course, are the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. It would do us all good to read both in entirety at least once in our lives. 

 

The second paragraph of the Declaration, after declaring the 13 colonies’ intent to separate from mother England, starts with these words: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness….” There is considerable disagreement about what was meant by “Creator,” but it’s clear the Founding Fathers recognized a divine hand in creating “all men,” as well as in beginning and establishing the infant nation.

 

In fact, in the Constitution’s Bill of Rights, ratified on Dec. 15, 1791, the First Amendment declares, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof….” Recognizing the importance of religious belief and practice, it was number one on the list of guaranteed rights.

 

Over the years this became known as the “Establishment Clause.” It’s the basis for what is commonly known as the “separation of church and state,” although I believe its meaning has been misconstrued with the passage of time. Many have come to understand it as prohibiting any intersection of faith and government – an “East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet” divide.

 

Countless articles and books have been written about whether religious practice and governance are necessarily incompatible, but being an Independence Day baby myself, I offer some thoughts. 

 

Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island, is credited with coining the concept in 1644, describing a "hedge or wall of separation" between the government and religion. However, his hope was to protect the church from state and governmental corruption, keeping “the wilderness of the world” separate from “the garden of the church.”

 

Then there was Thomas Jefferson, a Founding Father, primary author of the Declaration of Independence, and third President of the United States. His famous use of the phrase stems from an 1802 letter to the Danbury Baptist Association in which he referred to the First Amendment as building a "wall of separation between Church & State." He explained in the letter the amendment prevented the establishment of a national church, and that the Baptists need not fear government interference in their expressions of religious conscience.

 

What seems significant is the First Amendment’s wording prohibits government from establishing a national church or religion, as had been the case in England, but does not say one’s faith or religious convictions should be excluded from civic deliberations and responsibilities. Kind of like a One-Way sign on a street. It prohibits traffic going one way, but the other direction is completely permissible. There are many reasons for concluding our leaders through the years have believed that while government should not mandate religious practices, faith and religion can and should have an influential role in governance.

 

Some might argue the Constitution clearly separates the two. Not necessarily. As author Thomas Sowell, a noted economist, historian and social theorist has observed, “Some things are believed because they are demonstrably true – but many other things are believed simply because they have been asserted repeatedly and repetition has been accepted as a substitute for evidence.”

 

An objective review of history shows from its founding, many American leaders have not only respected the Bible but also considered its teachings invaluable for building and preserving our nation. Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration, stated, “The Bible contains more knowledge necessary to man in his present state than any other book in the world…. It is the only correct map of the human heart that ever has been published.”

 

John Jay, who served as President of the Continental Congress and was appointed the first Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court by George Washington, said, “The Bible is the best of all books, for it is the Word of God and teaches us the way to be happy in this world and in the next.” 

 

Noah Webster, known as the “father of American scholarship and education” and publisher of the first distinctly American dictionary, expressed, “All of the miseries and evil when men suffer from vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery and war, proceed from them despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible.”

 

President Andrew Jackson said, “It [the Bible] is the rock on which our Republic rests.” President Abraham Lincoln commented, “The Bible is the best gift God has given to men. All the good the Savior gave to the world was communicated through this book. But for it, we could not know right from wrong.”

 

William Douglas, who served as an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1939 to 1975, asserted, “We are truthfully one nation under God and our institutions presupposed a divine being.” And President Theodore Roosevelt declared, “The teachings of the Bible are so interwoven and entwined with our whole civic and social life that it would be literally…impossible for us to figure to ourselves what that life would be if these teachings were removed….”

 

In 1864 Congress began legislation that ultimately led to “In God We Trust” being placed on all coins, and that became the official U.S. motto after World War II. The words “under God” were added to the Pledge of Allegiance in 1954 at the direction of former World War II general and President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

 

The list goes on and on. I highly recommend The Founders’ Bible, which contains not only the entirety of the Scriptures but hundreds of well-researched and documented articles, commentaries and notes about what American statesmen and leaders through the past two centuries-plus have thought about the Bible and its importance for every level of society.

 

Our nation has become increasingly diverse in its citizens’ faith and religious practices. However, many of the values and principles upon which our land was established were uniquely drawn from the Scriptures, including the Ten Commandments, the Golden Rule, the Sermon on the Mount, and its other timeless teachings. 

 

These, according to John Adams, the second President of the United States, are indispensable: “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” And in a letter to his brother, William, in 1816, John Jay stated, “Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest, of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their leaders.”

 

Such statements are likely to evoke cries of protest and outrage today, but in the words of Psalm 33:11-12, “The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.” 

 

As we pause to celebrate 250 years as a sovereign nation, amid all the chaos, conflict and strife, it might be good to ponder the wisdom of our Founding Fathers – and the Word of God. Perhaps the answer to our greatly divided society is striving once again to become “one nation, under God, indivisible….”

The Awesome Wonder of People Living in Unity

As I was growing up, it seemed patriotism was an indispensable quality of being an American. Taking pride in seeing our flag unfurled against an azure sky. Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance – to the United States of America – without feeling abused. These days, however, it often seems our nation is more untied than united. And that makes me sad.

 

That’s not to say I believe the U.S.A. is perfect. Far from it. Or that people don’t have a right to speak out against injustices and inequities they see. After all, the preamble to the Declaration of Independence first declares, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal….” 

This is a noble and reasonable ideal, but I don’t think it can be achieved through disunity. As Jesus Christ told the religious leaders – the Pharisees – who were mustering opposition against His ministry, “Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a house divided against itself fall” (Luke 11:17). We see this principle being worked out in virtually every aspect of life.

 

If you’re an avid spectator of any sport, you see the importance of unity being emphasized in any contest – at least by the victorious teams. Whether it’s football, basketball, baseball, or even doubles tennis, all championship teams display unity, at least on the field, the court, or in the arena.

 

Years ago, I was in another country, meeting with business and professional men who were trying to build an effective marketplace ministry in their cities. Knowing soccer was the most popular team sport there, I used analogies from soccer to explain how they could achieve unity despite the diversity in their abilities and spiritual gifts.

 

Frankly, all I knew about soccer is what I had observed in watching my daughters participate in the game, but I knew enough. The goalie, defensive players, midfielders and offensive players all have different roles and responsibilities, but they must perform as a unit to win. Conversely, most of the players can do their jobs very well, but if one key player fails, the scoreboard will reflect that.

 

Over my lifetime I’ve had a few health issues – major and minor – that needed to be addressed, so I’ve learned quite a bit about the human body while going to various doctors for treatment and surgery. God created our bodies to be marvelous examples of unity. You could say health is a reflection of a body’s ease, just as disease and sickness is a sign of its “dis-ease.”

 

Years ago, Dr. Paul Brand and Philip Yancey collaborated on several books about the human body, focusing especially on the problems of pain and suffering. If you haven’t read either Fearfully and Wonderfully Made or In His Image, I highly recommend them. They’re still in print and give compelling insights into how the heart, lungs, brain, lungs, kidneys and other organs work together in unity to keep a human being healthy. They also explain how the nervous, vascular, circulatory, skeletal and other systems also must function together to keep a person alive and well.

 

The apostle Paul also alluded to this in exhorting members of the ancient church in the Greek city of Corinth to strive for unity. It’s almost as if he were paging through the medical tome, “Grey’s Anatomy,” as he explained:

“The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink…. If the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,’ it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body…. But in fact God has arranged the parts of the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body…” (1 Corinthians 12:12-26).

 

I’ve condensed this insightful passage for brevity, but Paul’s conclusion stands out: “But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it” (1 Corinthians 12:24-26).

 

If you’ve ever gotten up in the middle of the night and stubbed your toe in the dark, you can understand the “if one part suffers, every part suffers with it” reference. That’s how it is when people are in unity, whether on a sports team, in a nation, or as members of a church congregation. We revel together in our victories, and suffer together in our defeats and hardships.

 

Elsewhere, the apostle again wrote of the priceless value of unity: “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose” (Philippians 2:1-2).

There’s an awesomeness, a sense of wonder when we see people working in unity, pulling together and supporting one another toward the accomplishment of shared values and goals. Would that we could see more of this in our nation, as well as in the body of Christ, despite our differences in doctrine, practice and tradition. 

One Nation, Under God … Indivisible?

American flag on carrier USS York in Mount Pleasant, S.C.

If you’ve been reading my posts for very long, you know Independence Day means a lot to me. Because I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy – born on the Fourth of July – as the refrain from the old George M. Cohan song goes. Every time we celebrate another anniversary of the founding of the United States, I unfurl our flag, put on one of my patriotic T-shirts, and enjoy a fireworks show, whether in person or on TV.

I’ve lost count of the photos I’ve taken of American flags – even in Italy. I’m convinced red, white and blue never have – and never will – look as good as they do on Old Glory. Hearing the “Star-Spangled Banner” always fills me with pride for our nation, despite its flaws. Lee Greenwood’s classic tune, “Proud to Be an American” peps me up, and John Philip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever” makes me want to find a parade and march.

Replica of colonial flag waving at Charleston, S.C. home.

If only it were this way for everyone who benefits from living in the USA, the most free country in the world. I suppose we’re spoiled. Too much of a good thing can do that to you. Some burn the flag to make a statement. (Don’t ask me what I think they’re saying.) Others take a knee, or sit, when they hear the National Anthem of our country that so many shed blood to defend. Yes, they’re free to do this – but don’t they see the hypocrisy in such actions?

These days the Pledge of Allegiance has become controversial. When I was in grade school we recited the Pledge every day, concluding with the words, “…one nation, under God, indivisible….” Sadly, the “indivisible” description seems antiquated as our nation has become divided, according to some unlike ever before. We’ve become a country of extremes, with little room for common ground. “Tolerance” has come to mean being intolerant of any views that differ from our own.

Perhaps that little phrase, “under God, indivisible,” identifies why we find ourselves no longer “indivisible.” Because some factions of society insist we shouldn’t be “under God.” But I think the wording from the pledge is correct: A United States of America can only be truly indivisible if the source of our unity comes from being under God. Otherwise, it’s everyone for themselves, as the ancient Israelites were described in the Old Testament (Judges 21:25) – doing “what’s right in their own eyes” – when they determined no longer to submit to a sovereign God.

American flag flying in Capri, Italy.

We can’t directly equate the USA to ancient Israel, but I believe the underlying principles still apply. The Israelites prospered and thrived under leaders who were devoted to God. But when leaders wavered in their faith, or were replaced by ungodly leaders, the nation suffered.

Psalm 33:12 tells us, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for His inheritance.” We see this declaration affirmed in Psalm 144:15, “Blessed are the people of whom this is true, blessed are the people whose God is the Lord.”

Historical revisionists would have us believe the so-called “separation of church and state” meant that matters of faith should be excluded from the public square. However,The Founders’ Bible argues to the contrary. In hundreds of documents compiled by historian David Barton, we find writings from many of our nation’s founding fathers who believed the United States could not survive apart from a foundation based on reverence for God.

We live in a time and culture very different from when our nation was founded in 1776. However, we worship the same unchanging, unchangeable God. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). If we are again to become truly “United,” we must somehow return to our roots. I pray that will be so – and soon.

A Problem of Prepositions

The ACLU and the Freedom From Religion Foundation are up in arms. People are making bold references to religion and faith – in public, no less. What’s a nation to do?

Here are just a few recent examples of these heinous, unconscionable acts: A pastor uses the word “God” six times, and quotes one Bible verse, in a seven-minute talk at a public school. Students pray over the PA system just before kickoff at football games. At some local government meetings, officials open with a brief prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, including the phrase “under God.” And a congregation decides to erect huge metal crosses on church property within easy view from the interstate highway.

Doesn’t the Constitution clearly call for a separation of church and state? What’s religion – or faith, or spirituality for that matter – got to do with real life? And how dare people who embrace such beliefs rub it in the noses of those who don’t?

Well, I think I’ve figured it out. It’s simple, really – it’s a problem of prepositions.

In case English wasn’t your strong subject in school, a preposition is a word that links nouns, pronouns and phrases to other words in a sentence. Prepositions include words such as “about,” “across,” “after,” “by,” “except,” “into,” “on” and “to.”

They also include “of” and “from.” And therein lies this dilemma we face with this compelling issue surrounding church and state.

The First Amendment of the Constitution's Bill of
Rights says government cannot restrict free
exercise or expression of religious faith.

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech….” (I highlighted the preposition “of” in bold italics on purpose.) Nowhere does the Constitution make any provision for freedom from religion, although people certainly have the right – as many have exercised – not to believe.

Referred to as “the establishment clause” after its adoption, the amendment prohibits Federal or state governments from establishing an official church, along the lines of the Church of England, which early American immigrants had fled. But “establishment of religion” and freedom from religion are two very different and distinct things. Frankly, it’s a grammatical issue that Mrs. McGillicudy and her freshman English class at Anywhere High School could easily resolve.

Clearly in our age of “tolerance” and “enlightenment,” there are those who argue against any references to matters of faith and religion in the public square. But everyday we all are subjected to a “faith” and religion of a different sort – the worship of knowledge and the human intellect, the notion that the only things that matter are those that can be seen, felt and measured.

Faith, of course, doesn’t meet that criteria. After all, Hebrews 11:1 explains, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

But we’ve gone too far – and we did it too long ago. For many people, studies indicate the vast majority of people, spiritual beliefs are an important and influential dimension of their lives. Countless followers of Jesus, for example, would affirm the apostle Paul’s words in Acts 17:28: “For in him we live and move and have our being.” We could no more exclude Christ from every facet of our lives than we could do without oxygen.

Granted, many people believe differently. Muslims pray to Allah, and the most devout do that numerous times every day. Hindus, Buddhists and others pursue their beliefs in their own ways. And I wholeheartedly support their right to do so.

But we don’t need freedom from any of those. If an imam chose to offer a Muslim prayer at a public gathering; if a rabbi that doesn’t believe Jesus is the Messiah prayed to the God of Abraham; or other spiritual leaders gave prayers or offered thoughts on their respective beliefs, we should respectfully listen – and choose to disagree if we wish. There's no need to argue or become antagonistic.

Why can’t we return to the long-lost realm of common sense and realize – or rediscover – that our revered Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, but not freedom from religion? If anything, it assures freedom from the establishment of non-religion.