What Does Separation of Church and State mean to you?

[ProfessorKat]

What does the separation of church and state mean to you? I believe that the separation of church and state was instituted to keep the government from enforcing religious laws. I think that this is a necessary law. I am very disgusted that my fellow Christians do not feel the same way about this law. They think that the country was "founded" on Christianity so thus that means the country is a Christian nation. They are not true Christians. 


What's your opinion on this? 

[rserling]

Aug 31, 2013 23:07:08 GMT ProfessorKat said:

What does the separation of church and state mean to you? I believe that the separation of church and state was instituted to keep the government from enforcing religious laws. I think that this is a necessary law. I am very disgusted that my fellow Christians do not feel the same way about this law. They think that the country was "founded" on Christianity so thus that means the country is a Christian nation. They are not true Christians. 


What's your opinion on this? 

Clarification, are we talking about the first amendment? It does not mention separation of church and state. What I believe it guarantees is that the government cannot establish a state religion, and citizens are free to practice any religion, or lack thereof. Does this mean lawmakers cannot vote on religious conscience? No. Does this mean the federal government cannot use religious imagery? I think it does to an extent. Although the Supreme Court has declared "Under God" and " In God we trust" as ceremonial deism. States, however, have more leeway.
It may not even be unconstitutional for states to ban atheists from political office (no matter how ridiculous). It is not unconstitutional to have school prayer either (you cannot force participation), but I am highly opposed to it, just as I am to teaching creationism.