Church and State in Today’s USA

The church of Christ has remained a strong foundation within many developing societies

throughout recently recorded history, but in the United States, tradition and common law are

taking a turn, but not everyone is on board. Since its establishment in 1776 and shortly prior, the

United States of America has had strong roots in the church. Religious freedom was one of the

driving motives for populating the new world. Those who study Christian theology have stated

that the constitution strongly points towards “theological or doctrinal propositions regarding

human nature, civil authority, political society, and the like informed conceptions and institutions

of law and civil government (Daniel L. Dreisbach).” Despite being a relatively young

civilization, the United States has developed extremely fast. So fast even, that after only 245

years of its existence, people are beginning to question whether there is even a real need for

Christianity or any religion to be in the places of governing power. (At this point, I would like to

mention that the term ‘Christian’ will be used loosely to define all-encompassing denominations

as well as Catholicism for simplicity’s sake). There is an immense amount of good that can come

from living by the beliefs of Christianity. I do not believe, however, that Christianity should

remain as the backbone to American government any longer due to its misuse with regards to

racial discrimination, the influence it has in hands of irresponsible political leaders, and the lack

of representation it creates for members of differing religions.

At the heart of the issue in 2020, people who claim to be Christian have also been

overwhelmingly guilty of racial discrimination. Now, that is not true for all Christians, but

quoting from Youtuber Rhett McLaughlin and co-host of the channel Ear Biscuits and Good

Mythical Morning, “I’m not talking to you, I’m talking to the person who sits next to you in

church that knows better (Mclaughlin, 2021).” A research study by the Public Religion Research
Institute found that white Christians as compared to unaffiliated whites are more likely to

disregard police brutality as isolated events, claim confederate monuments as symbols of

southern pride, and that white Christians would disagree that history of slavery has made it

difficult for African Americans to progress in today’s society (PRRI). A large and spiteful group

of people who live by these fundamentalist teachings created a toxic environment for the

generations growing up in this new, changing age. Kids with religious parents who get abortions

are disowned and those wishing to express their sexuality feel repressed. Corrupt teachings have

also created a hate-culture within the southern denominational church, and consequentially it has

made its way into politics.

Corrupt Christianity has whittled its way into the US government, and politicians

influenced by it have brought laws into place that align with the misconstrued ideas it brings.

Some politicians such as Bob Nonini, a conservative, radical Christian have used their beliefs in

the church to create changes in the law. As Nonini stated during a Christian podcast interview,

“There should be no abortion and anyone who has an abortion should pay”. Following this, as

reported by the news site Refinery 29, “Moderators followed-up, asking him whether he

supported the death penalty as a form of punishment for women who had an abortion, in the

event that was allowed by the law. Nonini nodded in agreement (González-Ramírez).” Nonini

quickly retracted his comments, but it is unacceptable that he could have put so many people in

danger. Bob Nonini is not the only political leader using Christianity to justify murder and

oppression. Transgender surgeries and transitioning has also been a controversy almost solely

sourced from Christian pushback. Members of the Arkansas senate have just recently voted to

allow refusal of transgender youth care in public hospitals and health care facilities (Yurcaba).
These politicians who vote for such life changing laws are no longer interested in improving

quality of life for others, but instead imposing their religious beliefs onto others.

It is understandable that many people strongly disagree with the concept of removing

religion or religious people from politics, and they have a valid concern. Timothy Keller in his

book “The Reason for God” argues that by getting rid of Christianity or Christian morals in the

U.S. law you are simply replacing one religion for another. The superimposed religion being one

that doesn’t believe in a God and may have different moral standards than that of Christianity

(Keller). What Keller is saying is the main reason that many Christians refuse to let church and

state become separate. There seems to be an essence of fear that once the government is not for

them it is against them. This may be sourced from Matthew 24:9 where Jesus states “Then you

will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations

because of me (The Bible, Matthew, 24:9).” And many people believe Jesus is predicting the

future oppression of the Christian faith.

This is sane reasoning, however, even if the laws of Christianity are perfect people will

find a way to taint them. Basing a law in a religion that hinges on a man or entity that many

question to even exist seems illogical from a secularist or non-Christian view. Sixty five percent

of the United States believe in some form of Christianity (Pew Research Center), but thirty-five

percent of the populations differing morals and ethics are often unaccounted for and

underrepresented in the court of American law. If a case for church and state to be kept is made,

all churches should be included, however, in today’s increasingly scientific and (arguably) crazy

world that is a near impossibility.

If there are people who will misuse this powerful tool of religion for their own political or

personal gain, then Christianity would be best left as a personal tradition or hobby. Church and
state have come a long way in the development of our society, but the embrace of new tradition

and social norms are necessary if the United States is to continue flourishing in the favor of the

people. After 2020, the dangers that corrupted Christianity poses towards people of differing race

and beliefs were brought to light. Christianity will always hold as a special tradition in the

household of many Americans. However, it should stay within households and leave the

government to its service for the people.

 Work Cited

Daniel L. Dreisbach, opinion contributor. Liberty under Law Was Always Rooted in Biblical

Principles. 20 Sept. 2017, thehill.com/opinion/white-house/351540-liberty-under-

law-was-always-rooted-in-biblical-

principles#:~:text=The%20Bible's%20influences%20on%20the,of%20law%20and%

20civil%20government.

González-Ramírez, Andrea. “GOP Candidate Suggests Giving Women The Death Penalty

Would Cut Abortions.” Bob Nonini Idaho Candidate Death Penalty Women Abortion,

5 Apr. 2018, 10:32am, www.refinery29.com/en-us/2018/04/195648/idaho-candidate-

bob-nonini-abortion-death-penalty.

“In U.S., Decline of Christianity Continues at Rapid Pace.” Pew Research Center's Religion

& Public Life Project, 9 June 2020, www.pewforum.org/2019/10/17/in-u-s-decline-

of-christianity-continues-at-rapid-pace/.

Keller, Timothy. The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism. Penguin Books, 2018.

Mclaughlin, R. (Director). (2021, February 21). Rhett's spiritual deconstruction - one year

later [Video file]. Retrieved April 04, 2021, from https://youtu.be/CnYG6x-aOTk

“Summer Unrest over Racial Injustice Moves the Country, But Not Republicans or White

Evangelicals.” PRRI, www.prri.org/research/racial-justice-2020-george-floyd/.

The Holy Bible, Containing the Old and New Testaments. American Bible Society, 2000.