Quick bump: Not so separate
Republicans across the country are taking bold steps to blend Christianity into government, in violation of state and federal constitutions.
The Louisiana Constitution establishes "freedom of religion". However, the Republican-controlled government of Louisiana has just declared it will display the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms.
The Oklahoma Constitution says, "Perfect toleration of religious sentiment shall be secured". However, the Republican-controlled government of Oklahoma has just declared it will begin teaching Bible lessons in grades 5 to 12.
In at least 23 states, Republicans have proposed "fetal personhood" laws. If ratified, the government would recognize human life – and government protection – as beginning at the moment of conception. Polling indicates this is a minority view that is strongly associated with Christianity.
The U.S. Constitution says: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion". This is the embodiment of the "separation of church and state" that the United States pioneered so successfully. It seems many Republicans have decided they would rather ignore that principle, in favor of promoting their religion.
These Republicans might be grandstanding for their Christian constituencies, expecting the courts to block them. Regardless, by attempting to use government to evangelize their religion, these Republicans directly imperil our domestic tranquility.
