Religious Freedom

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. . ." (United States Constitution, 1st Amendment).

This phrase, the first, most important (in the minds of its' framers) clause added to our nation's laws set the United States apart from all other governments. Never before had there been such a gracious nod to the free-will worship between a citizen and his God. Today, the clause is still used as a protectorate by those facing persecution, and indeed, the clause itself faces "persecution," as vigorous debate surrounds exactly what was meant by this guarantee of freedom.

This paper is not dedicated to political lessons, but if the citizens of this country are offered a promise of religious freedom, it is up to Christians (commanded by God to be our government's best citizens, Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Pet. 2:13-17) to be educated enough concerning this law so as to lay claim to that promise. Attacks on this freedom, such as those advocated by Cal Thomas (see page 12), must be met, not only with scripture and with prayer, but with a plea that our government live out its creed.

To understand the "establishment clause," one must return to the writings of the most prominent advocate of religious freedom, Thomas Jefferson. It is he who equates this amendment with "building a wall of separation between church and State" (Address to the Danbury Baptist Association, January 1, 1802). This phrase has stirred even more debate than the original amendment, as modern, liberal-minded politicos have chosen to use this "wall" to mean that religion has no place in government.

What did Jefferson actually mean? The very fact he was speaking to a religious group should make it clear he did not intend to say religion has no place in government, but the opposite. Further evidence of this is seen in Jefferson's writings on law in the State of Virginia. His writings there are dedicated to the idea "That to compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors, is sinful and tyrannical. . ." (A Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom, Section 1, June 1776).

What Jefferson called "sinful and tyrannical" is exactly what Mr. Thomas proposes: To compel churches, and therefore individuals, to support financially that which they do not believe. It is simple to see that Jefferson was trying to protect religion from government. This is further seen in Section 2 of the same bill: "We the General Assembly of Virginia do enact that no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burthened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer, on account of his religious opinions or belief; but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matters of religion, and that the same shall in no wise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil capacities."

Again, this knowledge should compel us to call on our government to live up to the promise of the first amendment. Remember that Paul made his plea to be treated as he deserved by his government (Acts 22:25-29, 25:6-12). We who stand on God's word ought not to be ashamed to appeal to civil authorities when a debt of protection is owed.

One of Jefferson's great students was our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, who thought it nothing to proclaim a day of Thanksgiving, still celebrated in this country each fourth Thursday of November: "I do therefore invite my fellow citizens. . . to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens" (Proclamation of Thanksgiving, Oct. 3, 1863). Prior to that, at the beginning of the Civil War, he had proclaimed a "day of humiliation, prayer and fasting. . . to the end that the united prayer of the nation may ascend to the Throne of Grace and bring down plentiful blessings upon our Country" (Proclamation of a National Fast Day, August 12, 1861).

These are hardly the writings of one concerned that our nation's government would be overthrown by religious zealots. It is clear both in Jefferson's writings and in Lincoln's, that the clause promising religious freedom is one which should be most dear to Christians.

The bullying of writers such as Mr. Thomas must not be allowed to threaten our security as long as the first amendment still applies. We have heard so often the prayer of thanksgiving that we are able to worship "without fear of molestation," and we commend that right to all Christians. We must, as noted, follow the laws of our nation, but in so doing, our nation must uphold the laws and promises made to us as good citizens.