Aren’t religion and government supposed to be separate from each other?

Yes. Absolutely. The government should remain separate from the church.

As Thomas Jefferson stated in his now famous letter to the Danbury Baptist Association dated January 1, 1802:

"Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legislative powers of government reach action only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between church and State." 1

The government is supposed to stay out of the religious convictions of the people and our representatives. It is, in fact, unlawful for the government to say to an elected representative: "You cannot vote this way because such a vote is based on your religious convictions." To do such a thing is a violation of that man or woman’s religious freedom and the "free exercise thereof".

"The separation of church and state" is not a barrier prohibiting people in government from being religious, it is a barrier prohibiting people in government from making laws that establish or prohibit religion. The government may only make laws and take legal action based on a person’s wrong or immoral deeds, not their beliefs or the expression of those beliefs (in their voting). This is the very heart of "freedom of speech".

The problem today is that people misinterpret Jefferson’s letter as meaning a government leader is supposed to "check their religion at the door" when they take office. Many self-serving individuals go so far as to demand complete disregard of one's moral convictions when you fill a position of government, in other words they want you to vote the way they think is right, not the way you think is right. This was NOT what Jefferson meant by "the separation of church and state".

According to author David Barton:

"In Jefferson's full letter, he said separation of church and state means the government will not run the church, but we will use Christian principles with government." 2

If you are a Christian holding a government office, you have a moral obligation to express yourself and to vote the way God wants you to vote. Don't ever let the opinions or desires of others sway your convictions. Yes, the church is supposed to be separate from the government, but it is never supposed to be separate from the governed. Establishing God's kingdom on earth means placing the government upon HIS shoulders (Isaiah 9:6), especially in this day and age. As God's representatives we should always vote for righteousness.


James :)