Exemplification Essay: Mixing of Religion and the State -- Exploratory

   We have based the very existence of our country on the belief that complete separation of church and state is best for the church and is best for the state. However, throughout history the roles between religion and American public life remain interwoven and continue to shape our beliefs and values. In order to begin to understand the role of religion in American public life, one must first recognize that religion is present in many aspects of one's life. Even though the United States' Constitution provides for separation of religion and government, most aspects of government include religion as a basis for its operating procedures. The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives begin each session with prayer. Another example of the presence of religion occurs at the Colorado State Capital, as well as in other state capitals. Some members of both houses think that praying within government agencies is wrong. There are many Senators and Representatives who wait outside for the prayer to be over before entering the room. Some members have even tried to prevent priests, ministers and rabbis from coming into the House to give the prayer (Associated Press). In some regions it is difficult for the government to know when to celebrate religion during the holidays since many holiday scenes revolve around a religious message. In the past, some government officials have been asked not to display holiday scenes on public property, but have been encouraged to place non-religious signs in the area instead. Religious critics believe having a religious message at a government place could be a violation to the First Amendment (Leaming). Another example of how religion is interwoven with public life occurred when a group of Fellow... ...ers In The Hands Of An Angry God." Austin, Texas: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc., 1989. Leaming, Jeremy. "How and When Government can Celebrate Religion." Freedom Forum [online], Available: http://www.freedomforum.org/religion/1998/12/14nativityfeature.asp, January 28, 2001. "Secretary's Statement on Religious Expression." Department of Education[online], Available: http://www.ed.gov/Speeches/08-1995/religion.html, January 29, 2001. "Statement of Principles." Statements of Principles [online], Available: http://www.fac.org/publicat/principles/princip.htm, January 30, 2001. The Associated Press. "Legislators: Prayers at State Capitol Inappropriate." The Daily Sentinel, January 23, 2001. The Golden Treasury of Poetry. Hemans, Felicia. "Landing of the Pilgrim Fathers." New York, New York: Western Publishing Inc., 1959.