Church and state confusion
By Merrill Olson
One of the biggest confusions and even deceptions that has taken place in the United States is the separation of church and state. It has led to crosses being torn down in public places, nativity scenes at Christmas being forbidden on public property, prayer eliminated from school functions, and those ending in Jesus’ name are totally forbidden in government meetings. There have been lawsuits against school districts to keep any form of Christianity out of the schools. The list extends even beyond these areas.
Yet, the US Constitution does not prohibit public displays of faith. At its ratification, the early republic welcomes public worship even on its government buildings. Anyone who has visited Washington DC and toured the government grounds cannot help but observing the biblical images on its buildings. They clearly bring forth a message!
In the Constitution, these words appear: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” The intention was for two reasons. First, it was intended to limit the power of the federal government by ensuring that it would not establish a state church. Secondly, the government was not to prohibit the free exercise of religion.
Tragically, this amendment is being deliberately misinterpreted today so that it can be used by atheistic organizations to try and separate God from the government. Therefore, when any Christianity is exerted in governor agencies or in the public square, these groups cry out, “This goes against the separation of Church and State.” The next step is that they threaten to bring lawsuits if it is not stopped. People, ignorant of what the Constitution says, bow to their threats.
All of this is leading to our rights slowly being taken away from us as citizens of the United States of America. Unless it is stopped by voting in people who truly recognize what our Constitution says, including any President, this country will continue its downward slide. Eventually, we will not be able to do anything without government interference. This nation will no longer be a land of freedom.
When the Constitutional Convention was deadlocked and it seemed as though it might be dissolved by disagreements, Ben Franklin called the delegates to prayer. The founders, also, warned that America would lose its liberty if it did not honor God. Is this still happening? Only “righteousness exalts a nation” (Proverbs 14:34). The Bible also says, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan” (Proverbs 29:2).
Thus, are the wicked ruling in different areas today? With the degrading of morals and acceptance of godlessness in the public realm, the question is not hard to answer. And people who know the truth must faithfully point out the wrongs and errors and stand for the high values America was founded upon.
Merrill Olson served as a senior pastor for thirty-four years. He received a B.S. from Minnesota State University-Mankato, an M. Div. from Bethel Theological Seminary, and a D. Min. from Columbia Evangelical Seminary. He is currently involved as an interim pastor along with a teaching and writing ministry. His emphasis is on apologetics and training believers to defend their faith in Christ from God’s Word. He is well versed in Bible prophecy as it pertains to end times. He is a gifted speaker with the conviction that only by the Word of God can people experience inward transformation by the Holy Spirit. He and his wife, Jan, reside in Minnesota and have two daughters and four delightful grandchildren.