| RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS |
Yesterday's Supreme Court decision for small private corporations, and their desire to exercise a particular faith stance within their business operations, has created a firestorm in both Religious and political circles. The discussion has centered around religious freedom on which, many believe, this country was founded and is protected by the Constitution. I would argue however, that this is an illusion and is practiced only when politically expedient. A review of our history reveals that the words are there, but the practice of religious freedom has been lacking.
I am always taken aback by those who claim that this country was founded on the principles of religious freedom. It was not. The Founding Fathers took great pains to ensure that there was a separation of church and state and the infusion of Religion into governance. Some of the more notable quotes include these by the these famous founding fathers:
- “The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.”
― George Washington - “...legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & 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 & State. - Thomas Jefferson
- Where the preamble declares, that coercion is a departure from the plan of the holy author of our religion, an amendment was proposed, by inserting the word "Jesus Christ," so that it should read, "a departure from the plan of Jesus Christ, the holy author of our religion;" the insertion was rejected by a great majority, in proof that they meant to comprehend, within the mantle of its protection, the Jew and the Gentile, the Christian and Mahometan, the Hindoo, and Infidel of every denomination." John Adams to Thomas Jefferson.
Although these quotes seem to enforce the founding fathers principle of the separation of church and state, they were profound advocates for freedom of religion; ALL RELIGION. Unfortunately for us, "freedom of religion" penetrated our government rather quickly after its establishment. Two of the most noteworthy intrusions by religion into the legislative process are; the support of slavery and the suppression of women's right to vote. Using religious grounds, slavery and the voting laws were vigorously defended, until it became politically expedient to support legislation to "fix these injustices."
The decision of the Supreme Court for private corporations this week, provides further evidence of religious penetration into government affairs. However, the Hobby Lobby decision surpasses the company and the birth control issue. It goes to the heart of political agendas and the manipulation of religion for political gain which the founding fathers tried desperately to prevent.
It is interesting that the court used this issue rather than immunizations, blood transfusions and the use of pharmaceuticals for treatment of disease, to make their ruling. Like birth control and abortions, these are medical practices that are rejected by some groups on faith based ideology. Some have been tried in the federal courts and rejected. So why birth control?
Birth control and abortion are political hot topics and have been argued ad nauseam by religious groups, the media and elected officials. There are no issues more explosive on the left and the right than these two subjects and politicians use these to "energize their base." Since when has "energizing the base" been more important than the rights and liberties afforded to us in the United States?
Faith is personal. Religious expression is communal based on individual faith experience. The founding fathers understood this and wanted to ensure that we had the freedom to practice the religion of our choice. What they fought to protect was the power of any particular religious group to impose a set of beliefs on the country and its citizens. But, in the history of our nation, religion has dominated our national foundation to the detriment of all.
If religious groups wish to impose their beliefs on others, perhaps they should opt in to full citizenship responsibility to include paying taxes. Religious denominations pull no punches when they speak of the separation of church and state when it comes to paying taxes as they argue they do not preach about political issues or take part in political agendas. This is a lie, based on my personal experience, and practice, as a member of a religious denomination. In the past, I have preached about political issues and supported church efforts to sway voters and legislators. I no longer do so. My faith and values have to be lived which preaches louder than great oratory.
As an ordained minister and a spiritual person, I take offense when the state uses faith for political agendas. As a citizen I am enraged that any religious group would use their faith to manipulate those who do not share their religious posture. I have to wonder what the founding fathers would think of the development of our nation as it appears today. We have made our definitions of freedom and rights into an illusion based on religion and mob mentality. I hold no hope it can be fixed based on human frailty and our desire for control.
“A great deal of intelligence can be invested in ignorance when the need for illusion is deep.”
― Saul Bellow, To Jerusalem and Back
― Saul Bellow, To Jerusalem and Back
