Yesterday there was an amazing discussion on Facebook at Confession of A Pagan Soccer Mom’s page, it was on the Separation of Church & State. I thought it would make a great topic for today since it’s such a hot topic.

I personally see that some really don’t understand what the Separation is. And even worse I see people trying to use it to repress others that are different than them. This, to me, is a highly dangerous thing. Separation is simply that the government does not establish a state religion. I will argue that our government is skewed due to the high number of Christian members, but we do not have a state religion. Thus we are all supposed to be free to our religious beliefs, or even no beliefs.  We all have to remember that in the wake of denouncing the crown it was very important to Jefferson and other founding fathers that there was no re-creating England. England had a state religion and so many fled because they weren’t religiously free. This is why Separation came to be, we were starting anew. Over at WiseGeek there is an article that contains a portion of a letter from Jefferson to the Danbury Baptists. After he won the election in 1801, the Baptists contacted him because they feared that religious freedom wasn’t an inalienable right. Jefferson quickly made it clear how much of a right it was.

“Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God; that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship; that the legislative powers of government reach actions only and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should ‘make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,’ thus building a wall of separation between Church and State. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties. I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection and blessing of the common Father and Creator of man, and tender you for yourselves and your religious association assurances of my high respect and esteem.”

So our discussion yesterday centered around whether or not prayer should be permitted before town hall meetings or school board hearings. The most popular answer is a big fat no. But I disagree. My feeling is, if a tiny town hall meeting is about to commence and every single person in attendance is a church going Presbyterian who WANTS the prayer, than they should. It doesn’t mean that the government has suddenly adopted a state religion. It means a bunch of like minded people are having a prayer together. My problem with it at the same time is what if MY town hall wants to hold prayer given by a Rabbi. Our town is extremely diverse and it would ostracize many in attendance. In that scenario a moment of silence is more appropriate. That leaves it up to each individual to do what they want. Pray, meditate, pick their nose, or fart. There is no requirement to do anything but be respectful of each other. And isn’t that what we all demand? Just a bit of respect for our beliefs or lack thereof? Trust me there is no deity around that will be offended if you don’t pray out loud and there is no atheist who will explode because they have to stand for 30 seconds not saying a word.

Some people believe that the Separation means no prayer and no moment of silence. They argue that we are a secular society (without religion) and it has no place in public life. I am going to argue that we are NOT a secular society. Religion is everywhere. First off people of a religious or spiritual path, it’s not just a side of people. It IS people. I don’t stop being pagan just because I leave my house no more than a Christian stops being Christian when they leave their house. I am who I am 24/7. Secondly, to be a completely secular society, there would be no churches or temples or mosques or public rites. The Church of Wicca would not be permitted to rent space from the State Park for Beltane, after all if they did it could be viewed that the state decided Wicca was a state religion, right? Evangelicals would no longer be able to apply for permits to preach on a street corner, because it could be viewed that the city government just chose that particular denomination as a state religion. This would also mean no more Christmas parades or Presidential Easter Egg Hunts. It doesn’t matter if some people celebrate those holidays secularly, those holidays have history in religion and are celebrated by the religious. And what about religious jewelry? I would have to take off my pentacles and ankhs before stepping out in public, Christians would have to take off their crosses.

The one argument that really gets my goat, and causes me to have to go take a walk is, “I shouldn’t be bombarded with religion in public”. This tells me that someone needs help. I am struggling not to be mean about this but it’s just ridiculous. Just because it’s offensive to you doesn’t mean people have to stop being who they are. You don’t like my being pagan? Fine, go elsewhere. I am not going to stop being who I am just because you are overly sensitive. Don’t like the fact you can see the steeple of a nearby church out your apartment window? Fine. MOVE. The Separation doesn’t give people the right to take away other people’s right to their beliefs. It’s protecting our rights to believe or not.

I will support anyone who has beliefs or doesn’t. When atheists pay for a billboard along our highways, I cheer them on for using their Freedom of Speech. And when people fight against having a Islamic Mosque built in their town, I will side with the Muslims. Because I believe that we all have the inalienable right to Freedom of Religion. I would rather not see another Hitler take over and take away what people hold so dear.

One final note: as MrsB noted in our discussion yesterday on Facebook, this is a hard topic to discuss. This is not a black and white issue, there are so many things to take into consideration. As always, I highly encourage discussion here in the comments. I do ask for respect. Grownups can agree to disagree

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