Late last month, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed a resolution that declares 2012 as “the year of the Bible.” Citizens who respect equality and liberty in government might wonder if the same resolution would have passed if it declared February "the Month of the Koran." Our legislators carefully don't run afoul of the commonwealth Constitution, which says "no preference shall ever be given by law to any religious establishments or modes of worship," because the resolution refers to a collection of writings and not to a worship style or establsihed religion.
We often hear that the United States of America is a “Christian nation” or was founded on “Christian principles.” But there is a difference between culture and government. Our nation was founded by deists, Unitarians, apathetic Anglicans, and people of various other Christian denominations. The founders recognized the influence of the predominant Judeo-Christian cultural tradition on their new society, but were very careful to leave those specifics out of the documents that constitute our nation and provide our legal foundation.
Despite the assertions of atheists and other opponents of religious behavior in government, Congressional chaplains, prayers before government meetings, Nativity scenes, crosses and other blatant religious paraphernalia on government property are not unconstitutional because Congress didn’t make any laws to authorize these things. The First Amendment states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." However, these displays of religious specificity on taxpayer-funded property, or during taxpayer-funded government activities are rude to those fellow citizens who adhere to a different religious tradition, or none. And they send the message that the participating elected officials may privilege the adherents of one religious tradition over those of another, or those of no religious faith. This is not in the spirit of good government.
Although they had every chance to do otherwise, the founders left a preferred religion OUT of the national organizing document. The words "Jesus," "church" and "Christian" do not appear in the United States Constitution. The word "religion" appears only where Congress is expressly prohibited from making laws encouraging or establishing a state religion. The word "religious" appears only where it is decreed that no specific religion is required to get elected in America.
Even the Declaration of Independence, which references divinity in several places, carefully avoids privileging Christianity. “…the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God…” seems almost Wiccan rather than specifically Christian. “…endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights…” carefully avoids a specific sectarian interpretation of that Creator. “…appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world…” also avoids any denominational or Christian-centric identification of a deity. “…the protection of Divine Providence…” could refer to Fate and again doesn't label the divinity as specifically Judeo-Christian.
Many leaders, including the founding fathers, have spoken about or written about their faith, which is supported by the First Amendment, but they were acting as CITIZENS, not setting policy. A strong religious background, or faith-based ethical principles, may have a valuable influence on a government official’s behavior. But this differs from the introduction of religion into government affairs. Personal responsibility, a good work ethic, fiscal conservatism, and fair treatment toward all persons are all undeniably good characteristics to have in elected representatives. But these virtues can be manifest without specific religious guidance. Our leaders may profess whatever faith they choose, or none, and we decide who to vote for. The Constitution states “no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.”
Most if not all legal systems have their foundations in religious expectations. But civilizations develop, mature and in most cases improve. Just because our ancestors once believed their personal god lived in a tree or an interestingly shaped rock (or in a gilded box carried around by Old Testament tribesmen), doesn't mean it is bad for a society to eventually recognize their God is more complex than that. Our system of laws has evolved beyond its religious origins, which for many enlightened thinkers is a good thing. I'm sure you would not want the laws found in the Biblical book of Leviticus to be enforced by your local police department.
Churches engaging in blatant political activity have had their tax-exempt status revoked by the IRS in recent years. This is a good thing. Perhaps churches should only be exempt from taxes on the total of donations dedicated specifically to philanthropic or charitable works. Anything else should be treated as income that is no different than funds received by any other service-related business entity with consumers and employees.
Religion in public life and religion in government are two very different things. The first is a time-honored part of our nation’s varied cultural heritage. The latter is inexcusable in the spirit of liberty and fairness.
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