Separation of Church and State

The government should not have any policies or legal documents that are directly designed around any religion. America was formed by people that wanted a separation of church and state. Some laws that exist today discriminate against non-religious people or people not accepted by religions. As a country based on freedom, we have freedom of religion, but we should also have freedom from religion.

There are several articles from the Constitution that cause controversy to the subject. There are people including myself that see these articles as support for the Separation of Church and State. Throughout my research on the subject, I found that these quotes showed up the most. There is another quote from the letter that Thomas Jefferson wrote to the Danbury Baptists that supports the separation of church and state. These I pulled from rationalrevolution.net that has a lot more interesting facts and quotes that support the Separation of Church and state.

Article VI: Clause 3: The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.

Article II Section I: Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:--"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Some people argue that religion becomes interpreted into policies; I believe some are and others cross into moral decisions which can be influenced by religion not for religion. There are a few issues that are being debated now. These issues are abortions, and gay marriages. I can see how some would feel the policy of abortion can be interpreted based on a religious background. Regarding abortion I think it is a moral decision, which is usually influenced by religion. Another policy that is being debated about that I feel does involve religion directly is gay marriage. I feel marriage should not be enforced by the law, instead leave it up to the church whether or not they “accept” the marriage. No government official should be able to tell a couple whether they can or cannot get married. By the same token, I do not think marriage should involve any legal ties other than just a religious union. I think we should make anyone who wants to be legally and financially unified, file for a separate government union, such as the civil-union. This will allow everyone to have equal rights and put less strain on the marriage issue.

Home Foreclosure

I am posting in regards to Jason Lundin’s blog, No Foreclosure Bailout. I have to agree with you Jason about the fact that the government should not bail people out completely. I am hoping to soon be a home owner myself, and have heard tons of horror stories with loans. I usually do financial research before doing any kind of investment. A lot of people do not know where to get started. I do believe the government should offer free debt relief classes and work with the people to get on a plan to pay their debt and keep their houses. I know a few people that have gone to debt relief classes and were very pleased by them. Education and making someone apply it themselves create a self efficient person. If you completely bail someone out, they have learned nothing. They will still not know how to keep from falling in the same situation again.

I think they should start teaching high school students how to stay out of debt. Investing, saving, and smart financing so that they will stay on a good path and not overextend their finances. They do teach this at high schools, but it is not mandatory and very limited. In the article “An ‘F’ for economics curriculum,” Ruth Mantell states that only 17 states require students take an economics class to graduate high school. Only seven states require a person-finance course to graduate.