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Aldo Aceves

Running Head: The Need for a separation Between Church and State 4-1-

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The Separation of Church and Sate

Aldo Aceves

University of Texas at El Paso

RWS MW 3:00-4:20

4-1-17
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Aldo Aceves

The Need for a separation Between Church and State 4-1-17

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Since the beginning of the first developing civilizations there has been a tight bond

between religion and state, in the past a ruler rose into power by using religion to his favor thus

manipulating people through faith. As societies shifted into a more intricate system of

government as well as a diverse mixture of religions, a religiously biased system could no longer

rule. This has affected many States worldwide making it an upmost priority up to this day. In our

local society, there has been a blur in the separation between Church and State in which impacts

El Paso in an intimate level.

In September 2012, there was a case in El Paso which a Catholic church, abused its

public status to sway voters into voting for any other candidate but Barack Obama (Griffin,

2012). In Missouri, there was a similar case that involved a Baptism leader, who put a sign in its

local church where he states how he is voting for Senate candidate Todd Aki (Schapiro, 2012). In

the Constitution, it is stated that nonprofit organizations cant intervene with any campaign by

making public statements. But why would the Church interfere in politics? Religious

establishments have been involved in many more public domains including the educational

system. Cases like the Lemon Test and Secularism have been the outcomes of issues in which

religious groups tried forcing ideas into the public domain against students will.

There have been clear statements by the Judicial branch stating how there cannot be any

linkage of the Church and State. However, there are letters written by Thomas Jefferson
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explaining how the Government must not interfere with any church or religious establishment.

As said by Jefferson in his letter to Samuel Millar, 1808, I consider the government of the

United States as interdicted [prohibited] by the Constitution from intermeddling with religious

institutions . . . or exercises. (Wallbuilders, 2017). All though the letter portrays how the wall

between Church and State is meant for a one-way deal, Congress then saw Jeffersons intent and

republished the letter. Congress then summarized the letter and said that, [T]he rightful

purposes of civil government are for its officers to interfere when principles break out into overt

acts against peace and good order. In th[is] . . . is found the true distinction between what

properly belongs to the church and what to the State. (Wallbuilders, 2017) The Congress later

redefines and restates that both the Church and State have boundaries between each other; and

can no longer interfere within each other for it creates a biased and corrupt system.

Given that the State has clarified to the public by restating how there is a wall between

itself and the Church, there are many people today ignoring the law and doing as they please.

There have been other instances in which a Bishop in El Paso, Tom Brown believes that the wall

between church and state is "meant to keep government out of the church, not keep the church

out of the government." (Stringer, 2015) Many more individuals are easily manipulated and are

to believe that the Government is this esoteric evil entity without showing any type of evidence.

Yet the Church has indirect decisions in politics ranging from presidential elections to law
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making decisions. Politicians often endorse their spiritual belief to gain approval rates from

religious communities. As previously stated religion also affects law decisions, for example

abortion has been an upmost debatable topic in which people often choose depending in their

spiritual orientation.

Separation between the Church and State does not mean a separation within society but

as a union among different ethnic and religious entities. Giving a diverse society a fixed religion

cripples others who are part of a different religion or for others that are spiritually Atheist. Giving

a civilized Government a religion is like playing a football game but only giving a selected few

equipment and the right to touch the ball, leaving the other players as spectators in their own

game. People coexist with each other being that they come from distinct places and cultures. In

March 2016, there was a Womans march that involved both men and women from many

ethnicities and religious backgrounds. The meaning of the march was for the separation of

church and state, and how that barrier can bring a unity in culture and race. (Americans United,

2017) There is nothing wrong with being a Muslim, Jojoba Witness or an Atheist; the

constitution protects all who wish to practice any belief they please only if they do not force

those beliefs upon others. There is a thin line between people around the world but there is a
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thick barrier between the Church and State that must be clarified for El Paso and our countries

sake.
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Citations

Separation of church and state discussed at gathering of OKC clergy. (2012, September 13).
Retrieved March 12, 2017, from http://www.reddirtreport.com/red-dirt-
news/separation-church-and-state-discussed-gathering-okc-clergy

The Separation of Church and State. (2017, January 30).

Retrieved March 12, 2017, from https://wallbuilders.com/separation-church-state/

Stringer, B. (2015, September 09). Stringer: Brown gets it wrong on church-state

separation.
Retrieved March 12, 2017, from
http://www.elpasotimes.com/story/opinion/columnists/2015/09/08/stringer-brown-gets-it-
wrong-church-state-separation/72049022/

Americans United Asks IRS To Investigate El Paso Church That Urged Parishioners To
Vote Against Obama. (2012, September 10).
Retrieved March 26, 2017, from http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/americans-
united-asks-irs-to-investigate-el-paso-church-that-urged-parishioners