There is a misunderstanding of the concept of separation between church and state. Many people, particularly on the political left, equate it with keeping religion out of government entirely. They believe this means the church should have no say in public life or in political matters. However, this is a significant departure from the original intent behind the principle, as envisioned by the Founding Fathers of the United States. The primary purpose of separating church and state was to prevent government interference in religious matters, not to silence religious voices in the public square.
Historical Context
To understand the true meaning of the separation of church and state, it’s important to consider the religious landscape of Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries. During this period, religious wars and persecution were common, often driven by state-sponsored religious institutions. The Protestant Reformation, for example, challenged the authority of the Catholic Church and led to the rise of various Protestant denominations. These conflicts highlighted the dangers of government-controlled religion and underscored the importance of religious freedom.
When early settlers came to America, many were fleeing this type of persecution, seeking a place where they could practice their faith freely. They wanted to avoid the European model, where the state often dictated religious practices and suppressed dissenting beliefs. This desire for religious freedom was a major factor in the development of the principle of separating church and state—not to exclude religion from public life, but to protect it from government interference.
The Founding Fathers’ Intent
The Founding Fathers, influenced by Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke, recognized the dangers of both religious and governmental tyranny. They aimed to establish a government that would protect individual liberties, including the freedom to practice religion without interference from the state. By advocating for the separation of church and state, they sought to prevent the kinds of abuses they had witnessed in Europe, where government and religious institutions often oppressed individuals by wielding excessive power over both faith and public life.
Thomas Jefferson, one of the primary architects of the First Amendment, famously emphasized this point in a letter to the Danbury Baptists in 1802. He wrote, “I am a friend to religious freedom and a foe to everything that would deprive a fellow citizen of the enjoyment of his religion with his God. I have no wish to impose my religious opinions on any one, nor to prohibit any one from imposing his on me.” Jefferson’s concern was not to keep religion out of government entirely but to ensure that individuals could practice their faith without fear of government interference.
Similarly, James Madison, another influential Founding Father, strongly advocated for the separation of church and state. In his “Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments,” Madison argued that “the civil magistrate should not be the arbiter of religious controversies.” He believed that government involvement in religion could lead to intolerance and persecution, undermining the very freedoms the new nation sought to protect.
The Founding Fathers, many of whom were religious themselves, recognized the important role that faith plays in society. However, they believed that individuals and their communities should be responsible for religious matters rather than the state dictating them. By ensuring a separation between church and state, they aimed to protect religious freedom and allow the church to act as a moral guide in society, free from government control.
Theological Basis for Separation of Church and State
The separation of church and state is based on the biblical principle that God’s kingdom is not of this world. Jesus himself articulated this in John 18:36 when he said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” This statement highlights that the church’s primary allegiance is to the kingdom of God, which operates on a different plane than earthly governments.
The early Christians understood this distinction and often found themselves at odds with the Roman authorities because their ultimate loyalty was to Christ, not to the emperor. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Philippians (Philippians 3:20), reinforced this idea by stating, “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” This dual citizenship—being part of a worldly nation while ultimately belonging to God’s kingdom—stresses the need for the church to remain free from government control.
The Bible speaks to the role of the church as a prophetic voice in society, calling out injustice and urging repentance. The Old Testament prophets, such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Amos, were often critical of the ruling powers when those powers acted unjustly or contrary to God’s laws. They could do this precisely because they were not beholden to the state. The separation of church and state ensures that the church can continue this prophetic role, speaking truth to power without fear of retribution from the government.
Historical Examples of the Church’s Prophetic Role
Throughout history, the church has acted as a powerful voice for justice, morality, and social change, made possible by the separation of church and state. Regardless of size, local churches across the nation demonstrate this role through influential figures, significant movements, and their everyday actions.
17th and 18th Centuries: Early American Churches
The Great Awakening, a series of religious revivals that swept through the American colonies in the 1730s and 1740s, is a prime example of how local churches collectively influenced society. These revivals emphasized personal repentance, the need for a heartfelt relationship with God, and the rejection of societal sins, such as slavery and the mistreatment of Native Americans. Preachers like Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield called for moral reform, which had lasting effects on the colonies.
Additionally, churches during this period played a key role in advocating for education and literacy. Many colonial churches established schools to teach children to read, primarily so they could read the Bible. This emphasis on education helped lay the groundwork for a literate society capable of engaging in informed debate and governance, contributing to the democratic ideals that would later shape the United States.
19th Century: Abolition of Slavery and Moral Reforms
The church’s role in the abolition of slavery is one of the most significant examples of its prophetic voice. While prominent leaders like William Lloyd Garrison and Frederick Douglass are well-known, countless small churches across the nation also contributed to the abolitionist cause. Congregations held prayer meetings, organized petitions, and provided safe havens for escaped slaves through the Underground Railroad. These local efforts, though modest, collectively created a groundswell of opposition to slavery that could not be ignored.
Besides abolition, many churches in the 19th century were involved in other moral reform movements, such as temperance and the fight against child labor. Local congregations worked to address the social ills of their communities, providing aid to the poor, advocating for better working conditions, and promoting ethical business practices. These efforts, rooted in biblical teachings, reflected the church’s commitment to justice and the betterment of society.
20th Century: Civil Rights Movement and Beyond
The 20th century saw the church once again at the forefront of social change, most notably during the Civil Rights Movement. While we must highlight figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., it is also important to recognize that countless churches across the country cooperatively made efforts to bring about social change. From large urban congregations to small rural churches, Christians of all denominations participated in prayer vigils, peaceful protests, and acts of civil disobedience. Though sometimes small in scale, these actions were crucial in building momentum for the movement and bringing about significant change.
Beyond the Civil Rights Movement, everyday churches have continued acting as social change agents. Whether through feeding the homeless, advocating for the unborn, or supporting international missions, local congregations remain engaged in addressing their time’s moral and social issues. These efforts, often carried out by small groups of committed individuals, demonstrate the church’s ongoing role as a prophetic voice in society.
Modern Times: Collective Action of Local Churches
Today, local churches in America continue to play a crucial role in addressing societal issues while remaining independent from state control. Churches across various denominations frequently unite to support causes such as disaster relief, poverty alleviation, rehabilitation, child fostering, advocacy for the unborn, and combating human trafficking. They engage in activities like organizing food drives, providing shelter, and offering counseling services. Although these efforts might seem modest on their own, they make a substantial impact on their communities.
Contemporary Misconceptions About the Separation of Church and State
Progressives, those within the Democratic Party, frequently use the concept of the separation of church and state as a weapon to marginalize and silence the dominant faith in the United States—Christianity. While secular voices have long advocated for a strict separation of religion and government, this recent trend goes beyond mere secularism. It seeks to subjugate and diminish the influence of Christianity under the guise of promoting equity.
For Progressivists, the Christian faith in America poses a two-fold challenge: its prominence and its religious nature. They view this dominance and its associated beliefs as contrary to their ideals of equity and secularism. As a result, there is a deliberate effort to push not only religious beliefs but especially Christianity out of public life and policy-making.
The misconception here is not just a misunderstanding of the historical context but also a deliberate part of a progressive agenda. By misapplying the principle of separation of church and state, these progressivist voices seek to marginalize religious perspectives, arguing that they have no place in public discourse. This is a stark departure from the Founding Fathers’ original intent, who sought to protect the church from state interference and ensure that religious voices could speak and contribute freely to society.
Reclaiming the True Meaning of Separation
The intent of the separation of church and state was never to silence the church but to empower it. Today, as progressivists within the Democratic Party push to marginalize Christian voices in the name of equity and secularism, it is more important than ever for religious communities to reclaim their role in public discourse. The church must not only inform but also speak prophetically, using the religious freedoms it still possesses to challenge this ongoing assault on its rights.
This is not just about preserving a faith tradition; it is about defending the fundamental freedoms that allow the church to advocate for justice, uphold human dignity, and speak truth to power. The church’s voice is crucial now more than ever—to resist efforts to silence it and remind the nation of the moral and ethical principles that transcend political agendas.
By understanding the true intent behind the separation of church and state, religious communities can take a stand against this progressive agenda, ensuring that their voices continue to shape our society’s moral and social direction. The church must speak out! We can no longer sit by in silence, participating only by voting in private. Prophets of old did not remain silent, ignoring the issues of their time and waiting for God to come back; they spoke God’s word boldly. Likewise, God has called us to speak up as prophetic witnesses against any forces that seek to undermine the religious freedoms vital to a free and just society.