Jefferson, Madison were clear: No official religion

David Birch

Date published: 3/14/2006

Steven Thompson misses the point of both the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom and the constraints of the First Amendment ["In our country, people who pray have guaranteed rights, too," March 8].

The Virginia Statute is devoted to advancing the principle of free exercise of conscience, unburdened by the religious prejudices of others. It set out the same principles the First Amendment codifies into law of the land.

The "Establishment" and "Free Exercise" clauses of the First Amendment are not in tension, nor do they constitute neutrality.

They clearly and simply prohibit government from doing two things: Government may not make laws advancing religion, nor can it make laws restricting religious behavior.

Government representatives are free to advance whatever cause their constituents support, but they may not make religious ritual or church doctrine part of the process or business of government.

The "Lemon Test" is a very useful tool for deciding whether proposed legislation is violative of these essential restrictions on governmental power.

In post-Revolution 1786, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison were addressing the few remaining ties to England through the Anglican Church.

Some wanted to maintain church influence in government, but Jefferson and Madison understood the divisive nature of sectarian doctrine.

Since then, the relatively peaceful coexistence of different faith traditions in America, and the flourishing of personal religious belief, is testimony to their deep understanding of the essentials of a peaceful democracy.

The religiously motivated strife and ensuing violence in societies without church/state separation provides further evidence of the importance of the Establishment clause.

Continued success of the American experiment depends upon how diligently we defend the wall between church and state.

Fairfax

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Date published: 3/14/2006