I believe in the separation of church and state. It is good for the church and the state. Religion has flourished for more than two centuries in our land without state sponsorship, and the state has largely avoided sectarian entanglements. In spite of this wall of separation, church and state interact with each other on a regular basis. Politicians invoke God with regularity, we pledge allegiance to “one nation under God,” and we debate school prayer and creation before the Supreme Court, which isn't surprising, considering that America is one of the most religious nations in the world.

It is common for politicians to claim that their religious views are private and do not influence their public actions, a claim that gained resonance during the 1960 presidential election, but what value does religion have if it remains completely private? I understand the need to keep some distance between religion and politics, lest religion become coercive, but I must confess: My faith is not private. I may not wear a sandwich board, but my faith influences every area of my life, including the way I vote. My faith instills a sense of compassion for the poor, the hurting, and the marginalized. It influences my views of the environment, education, border policy, capital punishment, and many other issues. Many Christians, whose readings of Scripture differ from mine, may take a different view, and this can be a problem if we do not find ways of living peacefully in a diverse and pluralistic public square.

I doubt Jefferson or Madison ever imagined the religious diversity that marks modern America. Religious diversity for them largely meant differences within a largely Protestant nation, with a few free thinkers and Catholics thrown in. Today our cultural and religious differences are so striking that it seems as of our nation will fracture. In this climate, maybe it would be best if we kept our religious opinions to ourselves, but is this possible or appropriate?

In spite of the obstacles, pluralism is good for our nation and for American religious life. My encounters with other religious faiths have not just challenged my faith; they have invigorated and enlightened my faith. I have also become more sensitive to the beliefs and practices of my neighbors. My faith may influence my public views and actions, but I recognize that there are other religious beliefs and practices living in our communities. It is appropriate, therefore, to raise questions about the suitability of school-sponsored prayers, prayers at city council meetings, crèches on public property, and the posting of the Ten Commandments in public buildings, because the appearance of public support for one particular religious tradition can be coercive and marginalizing to those who do not share the beliefs of the majority.

I write as a Protestant Christian, and though I do not believe Christians should hide their faith or act contrary to their faith, Christians need to remember that as fragmented as our voices may be, they remain powerful in the public square. Prayers in school and at council meetings may seem innocuous, but do we allow for diverse voices to be heard? At the same time, do our morals suffer from the absence of prayer, the Ten Commandments or even a pledge of allegiance that does not include “under God”? I do not think so, because my faith is nurtured by my church, not my government.

Religious voices are at their best when they are prophetic and free from government influence. Martin Luther King challenged white America's racism, and his faith empowered his voice. The wall of separation is a necessary protection for both religion and state, but it should not exclude the religious voice from the public square. At the same time, we must protect everyone's right to practice or not practice their chosen faith without repercussions. A person's religion should not exclude them from public service, but, if we are to live together in peace, we must respect, tolerate, and be civil to those whose beliefs and practices differ from our own. I will continue living a public faith in the public square, but my focus will be on the common good of all our citizens, whether religious or not.

Dr. Bob Cornwall is pastor of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Lompoc . Contact him at lompocdisciples@impulse.net.

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