Separation of Church and State
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The separation of church and state is an important issue many different societies. Should the government actively support and endorse any particular religions or religion generally? Should the government suppress religion in public so as to prevent sectarian strife? Or should the government remain generally neutral, neither helping nor hindering any religions? These questions come up in a lot of different specific issues - and you can make your opinion known by voting in some of the polls.
Should the Government Define what is a Religion?
What role, if any, should the government have in defining what counts as a religion? Obviously there has to
be some way of distinguishing between religions and non-religions for tax purposes, but should the
government simply accept any group that calls itself religious or should it impose its own standards?
Define Civil Marriage According to Christian Standards?
Many conservative, evangelical Christians insist that civil marriage laws should be written to match the way
they believe marriage is also defined in traditional Christianity - thus imposing Christian marriage standards
upon everyone - non-Christians, atheists, liberal Christians, etc. I this justified?
Corporal Punishment for Religious Reason: Permissible?
Although corporal punishment may be legal, there are those who believe that their religion authorizes or even
mandates much more severe corporal punishment than most would administer - for example, beatings with
a belt. Should more severe punishments be allowed if done for religious reasons?
What Do You Think About the National Day of Prayer?
The National Day of Prayer has become very popular among evangelical Christians - for them, it is a
reaffirmation of what they believe to be the Christian nature of American society and government. Others,
though, see it as a violation of the separation of church and state (at least in some cases).
Should there be Religious Exemptions to School Rules?
Religious students in public schools are sometimes faced with rules or requirements which might cause them
to violate their religious beliefs. Should they be exempted from the same rules and standards that apply to
everyone else?
Is Bush Too Beholden to the Christian Right?
President George W. Bush campaigned on a platform designed to appeal to the Christian Right and
conservative evangelicals. Many of his policies are also designed to appeal to them. Is he too beholden
to them or has he managed to act independently of their desires?
How Have Courts Treated Christians and Christianity?
Some Christians have claimed that American courts have been hostile and prejudiced against Christians
and Christianity - treating them unfairly in ways that other groups aren't treated. Others, however, say
that Christianity is simply not being given preferential treatment. What do you think?
Should Door-to-Door Religious Proselytization be Legal?
Some local governments would like to force anyone who does door-to-door selling or canvassing to
register with authorities first - but the Supreme Court has ruled that that is an infringement on free speech.
Do you agree?
Religious Use of Psychedelic Drugs
Many religions require the use of drugs, including psychedelic drugs, in various religious ceremonies. This
obviously conflicts with laws against the use of drugs - so what should be done? Should the government
prevent such usage, or allow it as a religious exception?
Should the Pledge of Allegiance say 'Under God'?
Ever since the 1950s, the Pledge of Allegiance has included the phrase 'Under God.' Some have challenged
this, arguing that the addition of those words was unconstitutional. Others say that they simply
acknowledge the nation's religious heritage. What do you think?
Should Religious Mottos Be Allowed?
A number of governments in the United States have had religious mottos. The motto of the state of Ohio,
for example, is 'With God All Things Are Possible.' Should governments be allowed to adopt theological
declarations as secular mottos?
Should polygamy be legal?
Many religions in the past have included polygamy as a valid, if not dominant, form of marriage. In America
today only marriage between a single man and a single woman is legal, but should that remain the case?
Why not legalize polygamy so that people who want to practice it may do so?
Should the Government Fund Religious Proselytization?
Many people think that it would be appropriate for the government to take money that comes from all
taxpayers and give it to religious groups that proselytize to the people it serves - for example, churches
that preach to poor people it serves. Is this a fair use of government funds?
Should Christmas Be a Government Holiday?
Christmas has long been a popular holiday in America - largely due to the predominance of Christianity.
Should it, however, remain an official government holiday? After all, the religious holidays of other faiths
are declared official holidays - so isn't this a form of favoritism towards Christianity?
School Vouchers for Religious Schools
According to some, the best way to deal with failing schools is to let parents send their kids to private
schools - and that the government should pay for it. Some also contend that the government should
provide vouchers even for religious schools and religious education. Is that constitutional?
Ten Commandments in Government Buildings
Many religious people take the Ten Commandments very seriously and would like to see the government
display the Ten Commandments in public buildings like schools. This would appear to be a way for the
government to support and endorse the Ten Commandments - but isn't that unconstitutional?
Should there be Official Prayers Before School Events?
Prayers are, for religious believers, very important - so important, in fact, that some wish to incorporate
prayers into every aspect of their lives. This can conflict with the rights of those who don't believe the same
things, for example when people try to have official prayers at public school events.
Should there be an official Day of Rest?
Many religions have a "day of rest" when no work is to be done. In America, the traditional Christian sabbath
became an official "day of rest" for everyone, mandated by law. This has eroded over the years, but some
wish to return to having an official government sabbath. Is that constitutional?
Should Schools Have a Moment of Silence?
Courts have firmly established that public schools cannot mandate or even recommend that students
pray. In place of prayer, some try to have schools enforce a "moment of silence" at the beginning of the
day. Is this just a way to get around official prayers and should it be banned?
Government Funding of Religious Programs
Is it discrimination for the government to fund a secular soup kitchen but not a church soup
kitchen where people have to listen to a sermon in order to get their soup? Some say it is, but
others argue that the government should pay for such forced sermons.
Government Funding of Religious Schools
Some say that if the state funds a secular program, it should fund religious equivalents
equally. What would happen if the state were required to provide the same level of aid to
parochial and church schools that they provide to public schools?
French Secularism and Ban on Headscarves
The French government has decided to ban "conspicuous religious symbols" in public schools, although
everyone knows that it is aimed primarily at the headscarves of Muslim girls. Is this a justified attempt
to maintain the secularism of the schools?
Prospects for a Theocracy in Iraq
Although one of the reasons commonly offered to justify the American invasion of Iraq is that the people
needed to be liberated from Saddam Hussein, there are concerns that the new government will be theocratic
in nature - which isn't very liberating.
Government Funding of Faith-Based Discrimination
President Bush's proposed faith-based initiatives are about much more than just letting religious groups
get government funding and administer government services - they can already do that. What is being
sought is to allow them to discriminate for religious reasons while using government money. Many argue,
though, that religious groups should have to choose between public funding and discrimination.
Future of the Separation of Church and State
There are always a lot of battles over the separation of church and state - sometimes those who seek
to preserve separation win while other times those who seek accommodation or even the union of church
and state win. Is either side doing better than the other, though?
Chaplain of the House of Representatives
The U.S. House of Representatives pays to retain a chaplain at all times - but there has often been
bitter disputes over the office. Catholics have complained about the lack of Catholic chaplains in the
post while others argue that such funding violates the separation of church and state.
Ten Commandments as a Historical Document
In order to get approval for monuments dedicated to the Ten Commandments, many communities
will try to include other historical documents (Constitution, Magna Carta) as well. A display of historical
documents seems legitimate, but most of the time this just looks like an excuse to get government
endorsement of the Decalogue.
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