Separation

church and state picThink About It. Separation? So much of the early America’s colonization is shrouded in mystery or worse yet, misreporting. Early pilgrims certainly did not land on a rock in the middle of a wintry tempestuous sea. Probably only a third of them were concerned about religion since they had come from England, where there was no choice.  They wanted a relationship with a higher power, but preferred to choose the method and meaning of that worship. As similar groups formed organizational structures in the various colonies, they attempted to draw that fine line of separation between permission and obligation. We still try.

Travelers from The Netherlands, Sweden and elsewhere weren’t necessarily escaping religion, but rather fleeing sectarian intolerance even when not tied to a monarch. Of the primary instigators of insurrection against taxation and British rule, there were mixed views expressed with many compromises resulting. Most espoused belief in Christianity. However some expressed reservations.  It was generally agreed however, that the new government should not involve itself in religion and vice versa. But that is not what guides the words in my tattered copy of The Constitution of the United States.

Amendment I reads, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion , or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;”. To calm some Connecticut Baptists in 1802, Thomas Jefferson took the time to assure that the phrase was there to create a “wall of separation between church and state”, adding that it was meant to keep the state out of the church’s business, not to keep the church out of the state’s business. Ponder that while we consider government taxes on churches, or more specifically, the lack of them.

The first official federal income tax exemption for churches was granted in 1894, long after Roman Emperor Constantine had granted it to Christians upon his conversion circa 312. Three centuries prior, Jesus had said “Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s…”, which probably did not mean pay taxes. A study of the classical structure of the questions and answers exchange provides quite a different conclusion.

You have noted, I’m sure that when the government grants funds for private (perhaps religious) schools there are strings attached. And why not?  Things like the nature of health insurance provisions concerning contraception have prompted problems.  Meanwhile according to a White House source, churches in the US own nearly $500 Billion in untaxed real estate, much of which is not for purposes of worship or teaching. We won’t begin to discuss the obscenity of professional sports (NFL, etc.) leagues’ associations non-profit? status.

In a 1970 Supreme Court ruling, Justice Burger wrote that taxation “tends to complement and reinforce the desired separation…”. In his dissenting opinion, Justice William O. Douglas offered, “If believers are entitled to tax support, so are nonbelievers. … I conclude that this tax exemption is unconstitutional.”

Much of church activity remains untaxed. When it comes to the relationship of Church and State, does it help or hinder Separation? Think About It.

About Sage Thyme.  Eight decades of business and entertainment have shown me much of how the world works, sometimes well, and often not so well. If I haven’t become a sage, at least time gives me some right to write my thoughts so you can Think About It.

 

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