A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE:
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM: WHAT MAKES AMERICA, AMERICA
PART TWO: THE CURRENT CULTURE WAR AND WHY IT IS DANGEROUS
By David R. Currie,
Executive Director

"Religious liberty is the nursing mother of all liberty. Without it all other forms of liberty must soon wither and die." George W. Truett

I urge you to read this issue of the TBC newsletter carefully. There are some excellent articles regarding religious liberty in America and around the world. These speeches were given at the third annual MBN Convocation in Nashville, February 27-28, 2004.

Religious freedom is coming under attack by many today that do not understand that the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is the best friend religion has in America. Sadly many Baptists, as well as many politicians, fail to understand the freedom from religion and the freedom to express religion that the First Amendment offers to all Americans.

Religion now is being used as a campaign issue. I regularly get emails urging me to vote for a certain candidate because he or she is such a strong Christian. I have heard it said that this upcoming presidential election is between those who believe in God and those who do not. Such language is destructive to America and I want no part of such divisive talk.

It is easy to find articles in any newspaper or major news magazine regarding the "culture war" raging in America. This culture war has the potential to divide America permanently. I personally want no part of it.

This divisive culture war can be avoided if everyone will remember and follow the brilliant words that start the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;"

I think there are two radical groups fighting this culture war. One group is primarily Christian Fundamentalists who are ignoring the "establishment clause" of the First Amendment and want to establish America as officially a Christian nation.

The other radical group has a secular viewpoint and is ignoring the "free exercise clause" of the First Amendment. They truly want a totally permissive society with no values and no public expression of faith. They are especially angry at expressions of faith in Christ.

Both groups will destroy true religious freedom in America if either is successful in establishing their radical agenda. There is a better way for people of faith to participate in the democratic process. Namely, living out the principles of the first amendment.

Let's look at the issues of the culture war through the filter of the First Amendment:

The Ten Commandments: This is the issue drawing the most press today. Alabama Supreme Court Judge Roy Moore had a huge granite rock bearing the words of the Ten Commandments placed in the rotunda of the Supreme Court building in Alabama. Ultimately the Alabama Court had it removed and also removed Chief Justice Moore from office for refusing to obey federal law.

Supporters of Judge Moore claim the First Amendment guarantees his right to religious expression. They are correct. Furthermore, they correctly point out that the Old Testament is not simply a Christian book, but is also considered Holy Scripture by Jews and Moslems.

The problem with Judge Moore's religious expression was that it was an effort to have the state, as an institution, endorse a specific religion, which the First Amendment forbids. The large granite stone was not in Judge Moore's private office, home, or church. It was in a government building paid for by taxpayers, some (probably most) of whom are Christians, but some of whom are non-Christians or persons of no faith at all. Judge Moore has every right to give his testimony in church, put up the Ten Commandments in any office not paid for by tax dollars. He can preach his faith to anyone outside the courthouse, but he cannot proclaim his faith in an official capacity as an officer of the court, without violating the first amendment establishment clause.

Judge Moore said in a Baptist Press article, "it is a battle over the right Americans have to publicly acknowledge God." Bob Record, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's North American Mission Board wrote in a Baptist Press article that "the case against Judge Roy Moore is not an effort to protect Americans from state-sponsored religion; it is about moving people of religious conviction farther to the margins of public life." Neither of these statements could be further from the truth.

Americans are guaranteed the right to express their faith in God by the "free expression clause" of the First Amendment. They are not permitted to use tax dollars or use the power of government to endorse a particular religion.

Randall Balmer, in a recent address at the Mainstream Baptist Convocation, got it right. Alabama Baptists, in respect for their Baptist forefathers, should have stormed the Alabama Supreme Court Building demanding that the Judge's granite rock be removed.

At the same time, Judge Moore, or any other politician should have the right to express his or her faith on the campaign trail and in public speeches. Being a politician does not require denial of one's faith.

To fight over this issue is destructive to America. I have no desire to be a part of it. Besides, the second commandment clearly says "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth." Judge Moore's granite rock has certainly become an idol for many.

Government sponsored prayer in schools or at official school functions (football games for example): This is a very emotional issue for many. Currently there is an email circulating called "the letter." It is a letter to God by a "concerned student" asking why God did not protect the school children that have been killed by crazy gunmen in our public schools in recent years. God answers the letter to the "concerned student" saying "I am not allowed in public schools. Sincerely, God."

I personally find this "letter" insulting to my faith, but I understand the fear that leads to a well-meaning support for "prayer in schools." It is important to examine this issue unemotionally.

First of all, taxpayers of many faiths and of no faith at all fund public schools. To officially promote any religion in the school system would violate the establishment clause of the first amendment.

If prayer were limited to the Christian God, it would serve as an "establishment of religion." If not the Christian God, then would we have prayers from many faiths? How would Christians feel about their children participating in prayers to the gods of other religions?

Secondly, God can never be kicked out of the public schools. How insulting to the God of our faith. My God is all-powerful and can go anywhere as spirit and truth. Children may always pray before tests, while "at-bat" in little league, before football games and anywhere throughout the school day.

Student led prayer meetings and bible studies are allowed in public schools, just not during official school time. There are several organizations committed to education on the first amendment that have materials to help school districts understand what can and cannot be done in public schools. What is not allowed is any establishment of religion, thus preserving liberty for everyone.

From time to time, a student is denied the right to their free exercise in a classroom. When this occurs, it should be remedied immediately. But the government and the school system should not be in a position as teacher of religion. That role should be reserved for parents, churches, and caring individuals.

History teaches that government required prayer simply is not effective, as coerced religion is never effective. In Nazi Germany during the 1930', secondary school children were required to pray the following prayer:

Almighty God, dear heavenly Father. In thy name let us now, in pious spirit, begin our instruction. Enlighten us, teach us all truth, strengthen us in all that is good, lead us not into temptation, deliver us from all evil in order that, as good human beings, we may faithfully perform our duties and thereby, in time and eternity, be made truly human. Amen.
These students went on to be soldiers in World War II. Maybe they prayed as they attempted to exterminate an entire race of people.

Government sponsored prayer will not solve America's problems and can only lead to deeper division.

Churches and political activity: Current law does not allow houses of worship to endorse political candidates or make contributions to political candidates without losing tax-exempt status. There is currently an attempt in Congress to overturn this law. It is called the Houses of Worship Free Speech Restoration Act (HR235). Many American religious leaders are supporting this bill. The Southern Baptist Convention recently published two "first person" editorials supporting this legislation.

Many supporting this legislation do so in a deceptive manner, claiming it allows religious leaders to speak to moral issues. Religious Leaders already have a right to speak to moral or social issues. Of course, it is important for faith groups to engage the social and ethical issues of the day.

It would be disastrous for a minister to endorse a candidate from the pulpit during a political race. (I understand this is being done, but the law should be enforced to stop this practice). Endorsement of a political candidate by a pastor or spiritual leader has great potential for destroying church unity.

What about a church business meeting where one person makes a motion to support the current congressman with a $2,000 donation and others, who despise him or her, make a counter motion to give the opponent $3,000? How divisive would that be to a church?

Imagine trying to form churches where every member agreed on politics. We would end up with Republican Methodist churches, Democratic Episcopal churches, and so on.

Religious leaders have total freedom to speak to moral issues should do so. This is the role of the church. Partisan politics, however, is not.

Vouchers for private religious schools: Religious schools play a vital role for many in the American educational system. They have been around since the beginning of the country. But public schools have educated the vast majority of our citizens. Taxpayers of all faiths fund public schools. Persons who want to send their children to private schools should have every freedom to do so but at their own expense. Does this discriminate against persons who cannot afford private schools? No, as long as public dollars are not involved. Religious schools that want to subsidize the poor to attend have every right to establish scholarships for this purpose.

When the government subsidizes students to attend private, religious schools, they are subsidizing the teaching of religion and violating the First Amendment establishment clause. As Thomas Jefferson said, "to compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical."

Again, the answer to this issue is the First Amendment. Give no government money to private religious schools. Not only will this uphold the "no establishment clause," but it also honors the "free exercise clause" by allowing private, religious schools to teach religion to their students.

Faith based initiatives: This is a major emphasis of the current administration in Washington, D.C. It sounds great on the surface. Certainly many religious groups are engaged in effective ministry to drug addicts, prisoners, the poor, etc. But the effectiveness of these ministries is directly related to their religious emphasis. To give them money is to violate the First Amendment establishment clause. To give them money and ask them to omit religion from their program is to ask them to violate their convictions. Many will try it, and end up using the money for religious propagation. Many will abuse it, taking the tax dollars, and then using the money in ways not approved by the government. Ultimately the government will seek to control the ministries.

The idea is simply doomed to failure. State sponsored religion always fails. In countries where the state financially supports a particular religion, individuals often cease offering financial support to the church because "the government does it for me."

The key to avoiding a fight over these issues is to honor the First Amendment. Let the government address social problems, as it is able, and allow the church to follow the Bible's teaching in ministering to those in need.

I urge you to write the president and your elected leaders. Tell them you do not support faith based initiatives or government money given to churches for social ministries.

"Under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance: Another recent email I received concluded with the following words:
It is said that 86% of Americans believe in God. Therefore I have a very hard time understanding why there is such a mess about having "In God We Trust" on our money and having God in the Pledge of Allegiance. Why don't we just tell the 14% to Sit Down and SHUT UP!!! If you agree, pass this on, if not delete. . .

What is the difference between this attitude and that of Fundamentalist Muslims in Iraq or Iran? I cannot see any difference. Is that how we want Christians treated in those countries? -- Of course not.

The fact is, I do not object to "In God We Trust" being on our coins or the Pledge of Allegiance containing the words "under God." I also would not mind if they are removed. It is a non-issue for me because it is not really religious language anymore, but cultural. For an excellent article on this, I urge you to go to the website of the Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs and read Brent Walker's wonderful article. It can be found at http://www.bjcpa.org/Pages/Views/2004/02.04reflections.html.

The fact is, those with an agenda to divide America make these into huge issues. They want to engage our emotions in their culture war as they seek to join church and state to meet their own need for power.
Conclusion
The above issues are being used to drive a wedge between Americans. America is no more or less Christian as a result of what happens on any of these issues. These issues do not help our witness in any form or fashion. In fact, they hurt our Christian witness. When Christians push these issues, it makes us look power hungry and uninterested in the things that really matter, like loving people.
We have freedom of religion in this country and it is a wonderful thing. If we truly want to make America a great nation, then let's work toward forming churches made up of people focused on loving others and being the presence of Christ.