Separation of Church & State: The Lie

Question: How much truth in practice is really seen in the "Separation of Church and State" demanded by the First Amendment according to Thomas Jefferson?

Scenario: Imagine for just one second that you are an Atheist or Agnostic. Or even a Polytheist. In America, unlike the rest of the world, you are supposed to be "accepted" and not feel chastised for your beliefs. You are supposed to feel safe to practice what you believe in without being pressured or harassed into another faith's beliefs. You understand that as long as you are violating no one's natural human rights (I'm looking at you Mormon rapists) then you are free to practice your faith as you see fit.

However, you know that you live in a Christian, monotheistic country. No matter what's in print, the reality is otherwise. It's on your money, it's in your Pledge of Allegiance. It's written into the fiber of local and national laws and no matter how badly you may want a fair trial (WM3) you will never get one that's truly unbiased. Not if they find out who you are and what you believe.

Thoughts: The dollar bill, the Pledge of Allegiance. Suddenly you are unAmerican if you do not "respect" the history. Are Germans supposed to just embrace the Nazi insignia of their past? No. Just because something is aged, does not give it precedent over all other ideals or designs. One can love their country, their fellow man and respect others without believeing in a god. In fact, someone's faith in Satanism or Atheism no more makes them a bad member of society any more than a person's affiliation in Christian churches absolves them of all sin. It's high time we mature beyond our past and learn to accept the ideas of others. Just because you disagree on a church or a worshipping practice does not mean you cannot live together peacefully, this is not the Nationalist party of Hitler's era which demanded separation based on faith and language.

Scenario 2: You have lived your life respecting others and doing what you believe to be right in your heart. However, you now find yourself on trial for a crime which, in your mind, is no crime at all. You cannot comprehend why others are so determined to "convert" you to their faith that they are willing to alter teh very law structure of your state and country and label you a criminal. In some cases, they're even willing to lock people away for "crimes" which have their only backing in a holy book written by men of another faith.

Thoughts: It's depressing to think that the supposed "freest country in the world" is still openly and blatantly denying people their civil and human rights because of their faith. For example, let's take a look at Mormons. I know I just called them out for rape and child abuse, but let's look at the more legal practice of polygamy. What's REALLY wrong with it? Assuming that they are following the age limitation laws of their state and not committing child molestation, then why go after a group of adults willing to live together? There is no crime being committed. If your argument against a group is based solely on your own personal religious beliefs (monogamy) instead of being based on basic civil rights, then you should not be in a lawmaking position. Polygamy laws are useless and insulting to people who do not truly violate any natural law. On top of this, we have laws about abortion and marriage. Both individual choices being taken away because of the personal faith of a lawmaker.

Closing: Yes, all religions should be held accountable to the same set of laws. If you are a Mormom who believes in polygamy, then you should be allowed to do so. WITHOUT violating any age limitation or slavery laws. All women should be allowed the rights due to them as a citizen of this country. The same goes for the man who recently stoned his own daughter. You are a murderer. You were free to practice your faith up to the point that you did not violate the rights of a nother human being. HOWEVER, passing laws against things like prostitution or abortion are not laws which should be made lightly based on your own faith. Laws like "hate speech" take away the very right one has to express their ideals. When a person calls someone a "baby killer" after having a medical abortion just 2 weeks into their pregnancy they are using hate speech as well. But you would never win that case, not in the system we have now. It favors the view of a monotheistic, Christian society. Remove the veil of Christianity which has so long biased the laws of this country. Creationism is a faith, not a science. Marriage is a choice no state system should be allowed to pass law on. SEPERATE the two as the founders intended and stop trying to enforce religious ideals into a system that's supposed to work for ALL men, not just those on the approved list.