Religious Liberty & Church/State Separation

This poll is designed to elicit thought concerning the practical application of your religious liberty beliefs.

 

Though this poll is not specifically on Baptist History, it is related to an historical position held by Baptists, and is placed here as a companion thread to Separation of Church & State. I have tried to make this international, but it is hard, not knowing the laws, issues, and political jargon of other countries. I have also tried to give enough options that you can find something to select, even if it is only other (with a little levity thrown in along the way - that doesn't mean I don't think this is a serious subject). Any suggestions for future improvement of this poll, as well as your comments, are warmly solicited. Please forgive its inadequacies.

 

A constitutional amendment for school prayer - As Jim said, this is a particularly American issue, though it may not be quite as much in the forefront here as it once was. But how would you in other countries feel if something of this nature were brought up in your country? I am opposed to a school prayer amendment. It violates the spirit of the 1st Amendment of the U. S Constitution. The 1st Amendment, properly understood, already guarantees any person's right to pray anywhere under any circumstances.

A public school class is told to write papers on favorite historical figures - If the assignment by the teacher is general, it should be left at that, with no censorship of the choice of student.

A legislative body employs a chaplain to lead religious exercises, prayers, etc. - I am not opposed to prayer before a legislative body meets, a chaplain speaking to a legislative body, etc., but to employ such a person would be a violation. Also for the body to limit the prayers, speeches, etc. to members of a particular religious persuasion would be a violation. But how would you as a Christian like it if your legislative body were opened with a prayer and offering of incense by a Hindu priest (or whatever they call them)?

A church desires to have a tent meeting in a city owned park - A church should have neither favoritism or restrictions based on the fact that they are a church. They should be subject to the same laws as any other body/group seeking the use of the facility.

A public school has student initiated prayer before its football games - I've never really understood praying for football games. Like praying for two boxers - what do you pray for, that they don't get beat up too badly? Hey, if they don't want to get beat up, don't get in a boxing match! I'm not saying I want the football players to get hurt, just that it is inevitable that some of them will. Anyway, IF the prayers are TRULY student-initiated and student-led, and IF there is liberty for ALL who might want to pray, AND no coercion of those who don't, then I don't suppose there is a violation [but when the prayers have a definitely set aside place in the program, this appears that they may not be truly student initiated]. But I also don't suppose the idea of religious liberty means that everyone at all times will never be subjected to hearing a prayer even though they don't believe in it. If high schools got out of the football business, it would solve this one to suit me well!

A Muslim student wants to lead the prayer before the football game - This may be a little bit of a trick question, because it relates back to the one before it. If you want prayer at the football game, would you object if a student of another religion, such as a Muslim, led the prayer?

The legislative body of your country establishes Christmas as a holiday - Jim, I would say that Christmas is certainly not passé here. Our public school students have a two week (or more) vacation! I may have a little different perspective, in that I don't really view Christmas as a "Christian" holiday. But I would assume that most of the world does so view it. How would I feel if my national government set aside "Hanukah" or "Ramadan" (or Ramada Inn) as a national holiday? I wouldn't be in favor of it, so why should I think Christmas is OK? When you're in favor of some religious rite in the publicly sponsored arena, ask yourself how you would look at it if it were Islam, Buddhism, or Shintoism?? If that would change your opinion, you probably aren't thinking consistently.

Hope this topic proves helpful. I'm looking forward to more thoughts from you all. I wanted to move out of the "I believe in religious liberty" mentality into situations where "the rubber meets the road." It's interesting to hear how others resolve these issues.

 

I may have been unclear. I don't think Christmas was ever a "Christian" holiday - because it is not commanded by Christ or His apostles and prophets. The New Testament church did not celebrate it. I just assume that it is understood to be a Christian holiday (in origin) by most people. But I'd hate to give up my Christmas vacation, Easter holiday or any of the other holidays the school gives us! How's that for inconsistency.

 

I just hope no one I work with reads this forum! Sometimes I think football is a religion here.

 

I agree with what I understand Madison to say - if the Congress wish to employ a chaplain, let them employ him themselves (out of their individual pockets), and not hire him from the public treasury. I certainly have no objection to someone praying at the opening of a Congressional session. I do object to a chaplain being employed by taxpayer funding. Again, I would ask any who want a chaplain for their legislative body - how will you feel if the body choose a Muslim to open their session in prayer? This is the price of religious liberty, applied consistently, in my opinion.