From the selection “The Separation of Church and State” by Stephen L. Carter I think that perhaps the most eye-opening point in this section is his argument that the first amendment was designed to protect religion from state, not the other way around (Jacobus 103). Although, I never really put too much thought into actually analyzing the true meaning of the first amendment beyond the obvious I think that Carter makes a valid point.
I agree that the first amendment was designed to protect religion from state and not the state from religion. Carter even cites one of the founders of the constitution, Thomas Jefferson, to prove this point (103). Considering the history of the United States one of the basic principle ideas is that people should have freedom of religion without interference from the government. A lot of colonization took place in the Americas so that people could practice their religion freely without being persecuted by the government (or at least as far as I can remember from history). So based on that I believe that the first amendment was probably meant to ensure that government couldn’t impede on people’s religion or religious beliefs, and not vice versa.
Despite the intentions of the first amendment I think that based on this selection government interprets it as it pleases. Most of the decisions that are made in courts supposedly based on the first amendment are used to completely separate government from religion, as it should, but it’s using the first amendment as a crutch to support secularism. It’s almost as if government is trying to completely exclude religion from having any part in the government, when in actuality religion has a large part in shaping people’s morals and values. To try to completely rid government of religion is almost impossible because as Carter said it’s on our money, in our pledge, in the hearts of our founders (103, 105). It also becomes messy as he illustrates throughout the piece with holes and gaps in the courts rulings on cases of religion. So although I think the first amendment was designed to protect the state from religion it appears that the government is using it to protect itself from the religious.
Works Cited
Carter, Stephen L.. “The Separation of Church and State.” A World of Ideas: Essential Readings for College Writers .Ed. Lee A Jacobus. 7th ed. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2006. pp.102-110.
4 comments:
I feel the same way bobbie! someones religious beliefs shouldnt effect their judgement. They should be seperate. Good Blog, you really thought about what you read huh.
I enjoyed your blog. The government does interpret the amendment as it pleases. I agree the amendment was meant to protect religion from the state. This is a major issue in government.
I completely agree with you Bobbie. The First Amendment allows religious practices to be protected from the government, not vice versa. There are also some instances, I think, where a person's religious beliefs can affect their view of important world issues. Nice entry.
I enjoyed reading your blog... you had some very interesting interpretations, I agreed with most of them. I mainly agree with you and Sharnae that the government does interpret the first amendment, and the whole constitution at that matter, as they please... which I believe is wrong. Great blog!!
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