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I continue to be not at all surprised at a phenomenon in contemporary America (maybe just since November 2008) in which persons who are most like likely to avow an allegiance to the Constitution, are the persons most likely to advocate a merger of civil and ecclesiastical law. Also, those who would impose religious law upon civil law, are those who distrust government the most vehemently. .
The persons most likely to post Bible verses and quotes from Jesus on facebook seem to be the most likely to have facebook pages for Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Sarah Palin, The Second Amendment, and Fox News derogatory images of President Obama.
I truly believe, as did Jefferson, Madison, and Franklin that religion and government function better separately. Members of the Christian faith, who consider themselves to be Liberals, who advocate separation of church and state, who oppose religious interverence with secular government, and who oppose government interference with religious liberty are no less religious and no less Christian.
I do not ask that Conservatives deny or forsake their religion, their politics, or patriotism. I just ask that they not equate political conservatism with Christianity. I just ask that they be willing to share the Bible and the Constitution with Liberals and those who voted for and support President Obama. We are all Americans, patriots, and people of faith.
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"What influence, in fact, have ecclesiastical establishments had on society? In some instances they have been seen to erect a spiritual tyranny on the ruins of the civil authority; on many instances they have been seen upholding the thrones of political tyranny; in no instance have they been the guardians of the liberties of the people. Rulers who wish to subvert the public liberty may have found an established clergy convenient auxiliaries. A just government, instituted to secure and perpetuate it, needs them not."
----- [James Madison, "A Memorial and Remonstrance", 1785]
"When a religion is good, I conceive it will support itself; and when it does not support itself so that its professors are obliged to call for the help of the civil power, 'tis a sign, I apprehend, of its being a bad one."
----- [Ben Franklin]
Where the preamble [of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom] declares, that coercion is a departure from the plan of the holy author of our religion, an amendment was proposed by inserting the words "Jesus Christ," so that it should read, "A departure from the plan of Jesus Christ, the holy author of our religion;" the insertion was rejected by a great majority, in proof that they meant to comprehend, within the mantle of its protection, the Jew and the Gentile, the Christian and Mohammedan, the Hindoo and Infidel of every denomination.
----- [Thomas Jefferson, Autobiography; from George Seldes, ed., The Great Quotations, Secaucus, New Jersey: Citadel Press, 1983, p. 363]>>>>
