"Separation of Church and State" Is Not Uniformly Applied
A commentary by Larry Walker
United Church of God pastor, Bend, Oregon
Question: What does Judge Roy Moore's Ten Commandments monument have
in common with a Christmas tree? Answer: They are both religious symbols.
Next question: So why was the monument removed when Christmas trees abound
in schools and governmental buildings?
This anomaly indicates that the concept of "separation of church
and state" is not uniformly applied in the United States today.
I choose not to celebrate Christmas for several reasons. It is not biblical
in origin. It is a carryover from ancient pagan celebrations that have
nothing to do with Christ. As many acknowledge, Christ was born in the
autumn, not in the dead of winter. I choose rather to observe Holy Days
that God originally gave to Old Testament Israel, and were observed by
the apostles and the early Church.
These Holy Days foreshadow major events in the plan of God (Colossians
2:16-17) of which Christ is the central figure, in addition to their
historical meanings. The Bible prophesies that the seventh day Sabbath
and Feast of Tabernacles will be observed by all nations in the coming
kingdom of God ruled by Jesus Christ (Isaiah 66:23; Zechariah 14:16-19).
Although the United Church of God is not the only Christian church organization
that maintains this doctrinal position, I of course realize that my belief
and practice regarding Holy Day/holiday observance represents a minority
view in the world today. I am familiar with the reasons people give for
continuing to observe these days, despite the facts that I outlined above.
I do not envision mainstream Christianity jettisoning these holidays
in the foreseeable future.
Despite my doctrinal position, I respect the right of everyone to celebrate
or not celebrate Christmas without fear of reprisal. I also appreciate
the constitutional right of freedom of speech that enables me to articulate
my belief for the cause of better understanding these differences. I
have always been tolerant of the ever-present customs of Christmas that
predominate our culture this time of year. Most of those who do not observe
Christmas because of religious belief quietly go about our daily lives
without demanding removal of the religious symbols of Christmas.
However, what is the legal or logical basis for allowing Christmas customs
and symbols in the classrooms and courtrooms? Does this not constitute
a violation of the principle of separation of Church and state? Why are
Christmas decorations and celebrations allowed in school when other forms
of religious expression are strictly banned? Why is voluntary prayer
banned in schools when congressional sessions begin with prayer?
Ironically, the new governor of California was sworn into office by
the longstanding custom of placing his left hand on the Bible only days
after the Ten Commandments monument was forcibly removed from the courthouse
in Alabama. Subsequently, Judge Moore was removed from office as punishment
for insisting on his constitutional right to display a "religious
symbol" because it allegedly violates the principle of separation
of church and state.
He and his supporters understandably ask, what law did he break? So
what if some people were offended by it. Why should some of us have to
be tolerant of religious expression while others can bully their way
around in violation of the religious rights of others? Is that not a
more flagrant violation of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
that states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment
of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"?
Why this seeming contradiction? Christmas celebration is fun. Kids are
out of school. Businesses close, employees get time off. Families get
together. It offers a boost to the economy. On the other hand, the Ten
Commandments contains several bluntly stated "thou shalt nots" that
run counter to human nature that "does not submit to God's law" (Romans
8:7).
The Ten Commandments have played an instrumental role in the history
and legal structure of the United States from the very beginning. Not
so with Christmas, which was banned by the early Puritan settlers for
the same reasons that I and many others do not observe the holiday today.
Over the years Christmas has become firmly entrenched, while the Ten
Commandments have been downplayed and even rejected in our society and
in much of Christianity. |
