A Place For Everything and Everything In Its Place

The founding fathers of the United States of America, aware of the fact that oppression often arises, tried to provide the most balanced and thoughtful laws in the Constitution and its amendments and in the Bill of Rights.

These documents make it clear that there must be a separation of church and state. What does this mean?

The “state”, that is established government, must not legislate that there be an official religion to which all citizens are compelled to bend the knee. The state must not force any citizen to render homage to any religion, to pay monies to any religion, or to compel them in any way to support or participate in religion.

This does not mean that the citizens of the United States of America are obligated to be atheists. U.S. history and tradition make it clear that the majority of Americans have had an affiliation or attachment to one religion or another during its history. Freedom of religion is also provided for by the same body of law that mandates separation of church and state. Even atheism is a statement of belief or beliefs by individuals about religion and spiritual matters . U.S. Citizens are guaranteed both the freedom of and the freedom from religion.

The purpose behind these ideas is to make sure that government does not establish a religion that is at one with itself, forcing the populace to render taxation monies to support that religion, and thus, taking away the freedom of choice to worship in whatever way an individual might choose, robbing them of the right to give free exercise to their conscience. It is a protection against enforced robotic obedience to arbitrary rule.

This purpose of law also forbids, by extension of principle, enforcing support of a state church by police action or military force to compel citizens and those resident aliens sharing their freedom to attend or observe any religious practice whatsoever. It does not forbid that religion be held and practiced by individuals or those united in congregation. It forbids that government take over the running and monetary support of religion, and particularly holding a monopoly on religion.

The “state”, whether it be federal, state, or municipal, may not use monies from any source, foreign or domestic, to establish religion or enforce its observance by threat of force, punishment, or penalty of any sort.

There are many days of national observance proclaimed by Congress. However, it is clear that no one is compelled or forced to participate in these events. Rather, days of national observance are statements that the purpose and intention behind these observances are held in esteem and would be respected by the majority of citizens.

A National Day of Prayer does not command observance, and because it is not obligatory, it allows for participation or abstention. It does not direct attention to any particular religion. Just as Arbor Day doesn't demand that everyone plant a tree on that day and International Peace Day cannot guarantee international peace on that day, so a National Day of Prayer acknowledges and affirms that Congress, in behalf of its constituents, believes it is an accepted and honorable ideal, but it not law and not obligatory. It acknowledges that its citizens, for the most part, still believe in a Deity and believe that spiritual petition is efficacious. It affirms that America has a spiritual and cultural inheritance that continues into our 21^st century.

It is our birthright to say In God We Trust. It is a motto closely allied to the origin of these United States. It implies the ability to exercise what is often called our "God-given right" to hold separate beliefs and opinion from others and make us a free society. In this sense, the promise of freedom of worship and separation of church and state is inextricably linked to the right to freedom of speech and freedom of the press.