Why Church and State Should Not Be Separate - Essay Example

Prior to the adoption of the Bill of Rights in 1791, it was thought to be otherwise, that is, religious freedom means integration of church and state. It was Thomas Jefferson who first expounded that the First Amendment is intended to mean separation and hence as a solid constitutional principle (Hamburger 109). Discussion History is replete with justifications why there was a need for the Church to separate from the State. Prior to the 1800s, perhaps the most valid argument for separation was their argument for a Church to be pure, that it should not be sullied with worldly affairs of the state.

Only a fringe minority of Europeans and Americans saw fit for a separation because it was by then viewed by this small group as a sure way to purify the church beyond what was thought ordinarily to be possible; this group also distrusted the clergy for its abuses (ibid. 21). But the general direction of this short paper will be to argue otherwise, that the Church and the State are better off not separate. In this discussion, I will argue why both are better off joined than being separate which goes against the conventional wisdom held by many for years.

A God-centered administration is Better – this could perhaps be the best argument for not separating church and state. When our politicians are God-fearing, it naturally follows that they would be reluctant to engage in corrupt practices which drain the nation's finances. It is a powerful deterrent for people to steal from government coffers because God is watching. In many instances, religious people who became politicians follow a stricter code of conduct in their dealings with the people they govern.

Religious politicians are people-centered and therefore more humane. Capital punishment will be abolished. In other matters, taxes can be lowered to just a uniform of just around the 10% tithe to be fair to everybody. No Historical Precedents – the United States constitution does not expressly state that the church and state should be separate. Thomas Jefferson only argued retrospectively about it but the truth is that separation became fact and part of constitutional law only by legislation.

It became a principle of separation almost by default because no one seriously challenged it. In other words, separation became part of jurisprudence by sheer force of interpretation by giant legal minds but this does not mean they are absolutely correct in their thinking. What the US constitution prohibited was the establishment of a state religion and First Amendment outlines what the government may NOT do (McWhirter 138). Fewer Wars and Violence – religion can help to stop violence and the spread of wars.

It is because most religious persons are peace-loving people and abhor war. The bible advocates love and tolerance towards one's neighbors and it can be extended in international diplomacy towards other nations of the world. It means greater understanding for everyone. Conclusion No need for a Separation – in most issues that really matter, the separation is just a big fiction and philosophical construct. School kids raised on religion are better children. Early settlers were agreed that Church and State should be combined in the New World (Cord 18).