An American Heretic

America is becoming more and more besieged by the call for alleged, “family values.” At first glance, these values seem a good and wholesome thing; highlighting the importance of a strong family relationship and a set of morals that most major religions (and hence, most people) live by. However, politicians are increasingly using the term, “family values,” to mean orthodox Christian values. In my opinion, that runs contrary to the foundation of our country’s institution of separation of church and state.

So it is with a certain degree of sadness that I read today the recent comments by Katherine Harris of Florida.

Ms. Harris stated, “If you're not electing Christians, then in essence you are going to legislate sin.” She also said that the idea of the separation of church and state is “a lie we have been told.”

I will take these points one at a time.

First, Ms. Harris talks about legislating sin by electing non-Christians to public office. In fact, she is correct in saying that, because from a specifically orthodox Christian point of view, any non-Christian is more likely to ignore Christian religious law when voting on a bill. However, it is only a sin to Christians, not everyone. The sad truth of her statement is that she is so certain that her religion is the “right” one, that she is willing to turn her back on true American values (equality and fairness). I say that Ms. Harris would be better placed in a church government than in American government.

Second, Ms. Harris says that the idea that the founding fathers really wanted the separation of church and state is a “lie.” The 1st Amendment in the Bill of Rights clearly states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” This is a sure sign that the founding fathers knew full well what they and their ancestors had suffered in Europe. Many of them had been called religious heretics and gone against the mainstream religious teachings of the time. For that heresy, they had been castigated and had eventually ended up in the New World as a means of escaping persecution. By leaving religion out of the equation when considering laws, Congress could be free to make the best secular decision for all concerned and not the best law for a privileged religious majority.

That is not to say that religious beliefs or morals would be excluded from the minds of the lawmakers. Indeed, it would be ridiculous to imagine that congressmen would simply wipe away their own beliefs when voting. In fact, I am certain it was never the intention or desire of the founding fathers to do so. I am only saying that it is the duty of any lawmaker to create laws that do not prejudice or otherwise persecute anyone of any given religious belief. For example, it is entirely possible for a senator to publicly vote in favor of a citizen’s right to curse God while simultaneously condemning the act on a personal level.

Also, it is fair to say that our country is much more diverse today than it was at the time of the drafting and signing of the Constitution, and that diversity can only be dealt with fairly by separating religion as best we can from the issues at hand.

Until holier-than-thou fanatics like Ms. Harris can put aside their certainty and pabulum, America will continue to suffer as the non-Christian minority is further oppressed. With so much terror and hatred in the world, I believe it is time to listen to voices of calm and reason rather than those of radicalism and emotion. The sooner people like Katherine Harris disappear from the public view, the sooner the world will be a safer and better place in which to live.