In reading chapter 6 of Goldberg, it is clear that the Christian Nationalist movement directly influences the politics in this country. We are able to see that the separation of church and state are not as separate as we may have thought. When George Bush was in office, he was heavily involved with the Christian Nationalist movement. He supported and funded programs that were run by the Christian Nationalists, and he elected judges who supported his cause in a way that has never been done before. According to Goldberg, “He [Bush] changed the judicial vetting procedure and put forward a slate of jurists far more radically partisan than any in American history.”
The Christian Nationalists are trying to turn this country into a Christian nation. They feel that since the founding fathers were Christian and the basic foundation of this country was made on Christian beliefs, that the country should be a Christian Nationalist country. They feel as if, “Any ruling that contradicts their theology as de facto unconstitutional, and its enforcement tyrannical.” (Goldberg, 155) They feel as if they should have the right into everyone's private lives so that they can prevent premarital sex, homosexuality, abortion, and anything else they deem is a sin.
The Christian Nationalists want to be able to control what is legal and illegal based on their beliefs, which would go against what this country believes in, freedom. When we are forced to abide by a certain religions beliefs, and laws are created based on a faith state, then those who do not believe in that religion are being forced to act against their will. This is why there is such a controversy over the role the Christian Nationalists play in the judicial system. They believe that the country going the way it is will break down old theological battle lines, leading to the establishment of a new theological consensus in the church. (Lovelace, 13) This is something they want to prevent at all costs. This is exactly why Thomas Jefferson supported the separation of church and state. He felt that if the church was involved with state, then people are not free to believe, and if the state is involved with the church, then the religion changes. Therefore, the separation of the two is a healthy way of dealing with each other.
When talking about the Christian Nationalists, we can look back at Bellah and remember his ideas of American civil religion. This is how the Christian Nationalists give themselves an identity. What they need to realize is the difference between the Christian God, and the God that is referred to in all of the founding documents. The Christian God represents a deep spiritual feeling of love and salvation, while the civil religion God is more interested in establishing laws, order, and the rights of man. If they could make this distinction, maybe there would be less disputes between the Christian Nationalists and the judicial system.
Works Cited:
Bellah, Robert N. "Civil Religion in America." Journal of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences 96.1 (1967): 1-21. Print.
Goldberg, Michelle. Kingdon Coming. New York: W.W. Norton and Company, 2006. Print.
Lovelace, Richard F. "Homosexuality and the Church." Critical Issues in American Religious History. Waco, Texas: Baylor University Press, 2006. 746. Print.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I like Celts effort at distinguishing between a Christian God of spirituality, love, etc., and a God of civil religion. Nice point.
ReplyDeleteThe reading we have done dealing with civil religion and the separation of church and state prove Celts point that religion especially Christian Nationalists view have no place in a free society like ours.
ReplyDeleteReligion does have a place in a free society such as ours. Religion is deeply intertwined with the history of the US. Without these origins of searching for protection to choose what you believe in, our nation would not be. Even Christian Nationalists have a place, even if we don't like it. Their ambitions at changing the constitution, however, is the clearest danger but, it is hyped beyond current reality.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree that Christian Nationalists do have a place in our free society because of how our society is constructed, but I also believe that they threaten the very society in which they exist. I think this is where the conflict exists, at what point do we draw the line and say no. As members of a free society it is our duty to respect others beliefs, but how can one do so when others cannot do the same?
ReplyDeleteYou bring up a good point that the Christian God is different from the civil religion God. However, many Christians know there is a difference between the two and simply do not care. I have many Christian friends that when speaking of this situation agree that they are different but still twist the word God, despite its definition in context, to better their argument.
ReplyDeleteI was unaware, until now, exactly how intertwined the church and the state currently are. We tend to think that because the idea of "separation between church and state" was first addressed when Jefferson was in office, the two were separated back then. That is completely incorrect and Bush's time in office played a huge role in resurfacing church and state interaction. As long as there are politial parties,I think that the church and state will forever be linked.
ReplyDelete