The Pilgrims and Puritans fled to America to avoid persecution from the Church of England. Therefore, in the First Amendment, the U.S. Founding Fathers made it illegal to have a church sponsored by the Federal government.(1)
Biblical principles and Christian prayer guided the founding of our country, and the Bible was the basis for our laws. Not all leaders were Christians, but they all affirmed biblical concepts in government.(2)
James Talarico says he “hates how religion and politics have been fused” and claims we're forcing our religion down people's throats despite the “sacred separation in our First Amendment” (Talarico).(3)
No one is demanding a government sponsored church or demanding citizens to comply with a religious doctrine. So what specifically bothers Talarico?
As we continue this series, you'll see that Talarico wants laws based on popularity, not moral values.
All laws are based on beliefs about right and wrong, and biblical principles are the most gracious and healthy of all beliefs (Psalm 19:7-8). If you doubt this, check out sharia law.(4) In fact, as the U.S. has moved away from biblical principles, our nation has declined morally and become less safe and loving (Romans 8:6-7).
May we never forget that “righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people” (Proverbs 14:34).
There is no hope for a country that turns its back on the true and living God. Wherever you live, please pray for your country and speak up against propaganda like this.
✞✞✞
Please read these footnotes
(1) First Amendment: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Note: The phrase “separation of church and state” isn't found in the First Amendment. It comes from a personal letter Thomas Jefferson wrote to the Danbury Baptist Association in the State of Connecticut to affirm that the government shouldn't limit religious freedom.
In 1947, Supreme Court justice Hugo Black “greatly deviated from the historical interpretation of the First Amendment when rendering his opinion.” One reason there is so much misunderstanding about the First Amendment is because this justice “initiated an unconstitutional line of reasoning that has suppressed the truth of the First Amendment for more than half a century.” Christian Heritage Fellowship
(2) Our Christian Roots: If you doubt that Christianity developed our country and many presidents unashamedly praised God's Word, check out this post with quotes from a number of presidents throughout history: The Book. And I also encourage you to read America the Prude.
(3) Universalism: Talarico's statements about separation of church and state are influenced by his belief that “Christians and Muslims and Jews all worship the same God” (source). He's not alone in denying this most basic Christian truth while identifying as a Christian (John 14:6; John 3:36; Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 5:11-12). And it further explains his desire to separate God from government. See Why Hoping All Men Will Be Saved Is a Sign of Unbelief.
(4) Sharia Law: If you Google Sharia law, you will find that the propaganda far outweighs the truth. Propaganda has overtaken the internet in many ways. So be sure, when asking questions about Islam, you find articles written by ex-Muslims who've become Christian. For example: Ex-Muslim Woman on Life Under Sharia Law and Say No to Sharia Law and Nabeel Qureshi: Why I stopped believing Islam is a religion of peace.
If you want to better understand why I'm using Talarico's quotes in this series, see Let's Not Avoid Controversy.
BLN
