I am quite sure when the Founder Fathers signed the Constitution back in 1789, they did not envision the religious debates that are now occurring. I may be wrong; however, it appears to me that the signers of the Constitution's First Amendment attempted to eliminate a lot of confusion, in regards to the establishment of religion in America, and where the line between "separation of Church and State" begins and ends.

I know that the Constitution does not explicitly says there is a "separation of Church and State." However it says, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." I mention the First Amendment of the Constitution, because it is one of the major debated topic, which often divides those of a conservative religious background and the rest of American citizens. Those of a conservative or maybe even fundamental religious background, seem to be more prone to support religious symbols on public grounds. Yet in many cases, these individuals only want their religious ideas to be on display. For example, throughout the Christmas season many Christians showed their displeasure with cities and towns that would not allow a manger or other symbols that referred to the birth of Jesus in the public domain or winter parades. I would pose this question to these individuals: Would it be okay if an Islamic or Celtic symbol would also be displayed?

I have heard the argument that the country was founded on Christianity. Before we go any farther, I am a practicing Lutheran, therefore my religion is accepted as a Christian faith. Anyone who has heard of the Treaty of Tripoli, would understand otherwise; that Christianity was not the driving force behind our Founding Fathers quest to establish the United States of America. In Article 11 of the Treaty of Tripoli, signed by Congress; it states, "As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion,-as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Musselmen..." The Founding Fathers attempted to limit these debates about religious freedom that some lacked in England. No religion in America should have the upper hand on the other, yet I believe that some of the conservative right is trying to polarize itself and somehow establish a state religion of their Christianity.

I fear that America will continue to be divided over theology, and this will eventually harm the country. If individuals start to believe that the Republican Party only advocates the conservative Christian agenda, or the Democratic Party represents the liberal religious viewpoint or none at all, then the country's democracy will be at threat in the future. I concede that some of our laws are from the Holy Bible of the Judeo-Christian faith, but others can be located in Plato's Republic, the writings of Julius Caesar and Cicero, Sophocles, the Egyptian Book of the Dead, and many other religions and authors. Just because the Bible used to be read in public school, does not mean that Christians should even dare to raise the notion that this is a Christian nation. This is a country of many faiths, and therefore should a individual not be elected President, because they are not Christian enough for you? When making our choices for elected officials and job hiring, ethics teaches us to choose the person based on who we believe can do the best job?

Still, I must argue against those who want to remove religious objects and symbols from public display. As long as all religions or lack of, can be represented in a public square or circle and on government buildings, then I am in favor of taxpayer space being used to show expressions of the many different faiths of Americans. We cannot allow religion to divide us; otherwise, we run the risk of some Americans feeling they are being discriminated on the basis of their religion. I believe the founding fathers attempted to avoid this by creating the First Amendment of the Constitution.

Philosophy & Religion Articles:

Is there A Conspiracy to Rid America of Religion?

Why are Some Churches Canceling Christmas Service?

All Liberals Are Not Anti-Christmas

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