“The First Amendment has erected a wall of separation between church and state, but that wall is a one directional wall; it keeps the government from running the church, but it makes sure that Christian principles will always stay in government.”
Thomas Jefferson said this in an address to the Danbury, Connecticut Baptist Church. The church was very concerned about the government dictating rules that would clash with their Christian beliefs.
Many today have the whole idea turned tops-turvy, assuming “separation of church and state” (which is not in the US Constitution or any other official document) was made to protect citizens from a church run amuck.
And yet, in modern times we see the opposite is true. We see a government setting rules and standards on churches and church leaders, pressing and pressuring Christians into accepting sin as normal—arresting, fining, and harassing those who would disagree with the “religion of America”.
The words of Thomas Jefferson have been ignored. The government is pushing to dictate doctrine and dogma to the church. In fact, the government is ramming their version of religion down our throats and anyone who disagrees is a hater, racist, or intolerant.
Hey guys, if you don’t like what my church stands for go to another church! But let me enjoy religious freedom. Call me a bigot, a racist, a hater, a homophobe, a red neck, a capitalist, a communist, or any other ridiculous name you can come up with. But let me enjoy my religious freedom without fear of government intervention!
Wake up people! Americans should be free to hold various opinions without fear of retribution. Churches should be able to say, “We believe this is sin,” without fear of government intervention. That’s what the wall of separation between church and state is supposed to represent.