Separation of church and state: Do you have to be Christian to be elected into office?

Question

And if so, how is there a separation between church and state? I have been on the fence about this for a long time, I want to hear your opinions as well. Here are SOME of my arguments:

IF there is a separation of church and state, then why:
- is abortion still illegal in some parts of the country?
- are gays not granted equal rights?
- is money stamped with "In God We Trust"?
- are atheists not allowed to be elected into public office?

No, I am not advocating for abortion, gay rights, or anything of the sort, I am just simply asking why.
Thank you for your time in answering this, I'm not trying to offend anyone just wanting some answers.

Answer 1

The "separation of church and state" means that the state stays out of the church.



The Constitution has never had a problem with the faithful holding office, exhibiting blatant favorable bias toward Christianity, or even publicly celebrating a Christian heritage. The big problem is if the government forces you to go to a certain church, or denies you the ability to go to the church of your choice. That hasn't happened in the USA. You're not living under a theocracy--not even close.



Notice, as well, how there is no "balance" between church and state in the 1st Amendment. Both of the clauses are restrictions on the government--Congress makes no law establishing, and may not prohibit the free exercise.

Answer 2

The president does NOT have to be a Christian, just virtually every candidate has been or is a Christian. However a candidate is likely to say they're a Christian since about 52% of Americans have said they would not vote for a legitimate candidate unless they were Christian. It's called the religion card. However no religious base restricts a candidate's ability to run for presidency. You should probably be talking more about the 9 states that restrict an Atheist from holding public office instead.

Answer 3

First of all I am an atheist, but your question is way off point.



1. There is NO law requiring a candidate be a christian, nor precluding an atheist from running...however voter preferences make it necessary for any viable candidate to at least CLAIM to be a christian.



2. Actually there are atheists who have a problem with abortion, at least when used as birth control. I am one of them.



3. AGain gay 'rights' is a vague term. I personally think the entire 'hate crimes' legislation is criminlizing thought. And I think affirmitive action is a disaster.



4. As to money, that is a small matter, I really don't care.

Answer 4

We don't have "separation of church and state" in America. That phrase is not found in any of our founding documents.



Gay are granted equal rights to everyone else, however what gays have been demanding recently is special rights, more rights than everyone else.



Our Country was founded as a Christian nations by mostly Christians which is why our national motto is "In God we Trust".



Some of the constitutions of the original 13 states did contain provisions that require people to be Christians before they were allowed to be elected to public office.



The State of Virginia had a provision which did not permit a clergyman from holding public office. Thomas Jefferson, who was from Viriginia, opposed this provision.



http://itm.edgeboss.net/wmedia/itm/video/broadcast/2009/090705.wvx

Answer 5

Those are all excellent points, but most can be answered - for better or worse - with the simple concept of majority rule.



There is no LAW stating that an atheist can't be elected President, but since the majority of Americans believe in God (and a majority of those are Christian), it would be political suicide for any aspiring politician to say he doesn't believe in God.



I agree with your assertion that this is not right, but you and I are in the minority on this one.



As Winston Churchill once said, "democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others."

Answer 6

Do you watch the news, read the paper or see current news on the internet. The majority of our politicians are adulterers, liars, thieves and are antichrist when it comes to Christianity.



Obama has entertained gays in the White House. I want equality! He should be required to entertain, Christians, atheists, Mormons etc.



I would not vote for an atheist or a gay person but they can run for office.



What equal rights do you want gays to have? That is a soap box that is getting old.



Abortion is murder and this country will be judged by God for killing unborn babies because they are not wanted.

Answer 7

No you don't have to be christian



is abortion still illegal in some parts of the country?

some atheists believe abortion is wrong, it has nothing to do with religion, I don't believe we should be allowed to kill babies unless the mother is under threat(after all you can put it up for adaption)



are gays not granted equal rights?

I know an atheist that doesn't like gay people



is money stamped with "In God We Trust"?

Tradition

Answer 8

We just pretend there is separation of church and state in this country. Something like 52% of people say they wouldn't vote for an athiest regardless of their views on real political issues. Crazy.

Answer 9

They say church and state are separate, but todays opposers are strongly motivated by religious guidelines and morals. So separation of church and state is irrelavant unless the voters and legislators are not influenced by any religious guideline.

Answer 10

Christians vote, too. It does not matter for the purposes of voting that our political beliefs are in tune with our religious beliefs. We vote what we believe, just like non-Christians do. Nothing sinister or deceptive about it.

Answer 11

Well, with Obama in office, obviously one does not have to be a Christian to hold the Office of President.



"Separation of Church and State" is a phrase from the Supreme Court, not the Constitution, nor the Bill of Rights.



You might want to look at this:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpQOCvthw-o