The United States Government, and Religion?
103549
Abortion should be against the law. In fact, it already is. It is called MURDER. As soon as the child is concieved, it has full human DNA, and therefore, scientifically considered a human. It should not be a choice, because you cannot choose to kill someone, just because you dont want them. Scot Peterson got charged with double homocide because he killed Laci and her unborn child. How can this be? The child is unborn! So, if abortion is legalized, he should be dropped of that second charge. Now, I'm not condoning the murder of your spouse, or any other person for that matter, but merely using it as an example. The only time abortion should be permitted is if the mother and/or the childs life is in danger.
105860
Yep, I agree with everybody else here...a lot of Americans seem to have this crazy idea that Christianity is the official religion of American and we ought to design our lives and laws around it, and anything that the Bible says isn't allowed is just sick and wrong.  Funny, 'cause I seem to remember something way back in history class about this country being founded on the idea of religious freedom.
198107
Good job! You've mixed religion and politics in the same question. Bold move :-)
210043
The US government claims to be separate from religion. IF that was true -\n\nWhy would there not be a civil legal arrangement (civil union, domestic partner, marriage, whatever) available to anyone who wanted to create a household?  Or - if these special relationships are solely for the care and protection of children, then change the rules so that only those intending/capable of parenthood are allowed to participate.  \n\nLeave a religious sacrament of marriage to the tenants of each individual faith.  As it is now, the government is treating different christian faiths differently, based on which ones they like.\n\nIn my opinion you can't have it both ways - either it is a religious sacrament and the government should have nothing to do with it OR it is an arrangement under civil law - in which case it should be open to all regardless of their religion. I suppose there is one more option - change the official statement about the separation of church and state and openly admit that our government DOES support one or more religions to the detriment of others.
704794
I just thought I'd point something out to all those saying it is a  good thing that religion and politics mix and can't see a problem. And that is that there is absolutely NO EVIDENCE for the existence of a supernatural super being (ie God) OF ANY KIND. Therefore it is VERY WORRYING that the US government has become so religious. \nBy all means believe what you want to believe but don't allow the Government to create policy on the back of some kind of divine guidence for which there is no evidence. Would  you be OK if Bush said he went into Iraq 'cause Santa Claus or fairies told him too?? I guess not. And I'm personally very nervous when he invokes his 'God' for the same reasons!
856571
Politics and Religion should always be kept apart for several reasons.\nGovernment for the most part is elected by the people,\nA religion can and has been invented or created by one person.\n\nLaws made by Government are decided by discussion and \na majority vote,\nLaws made by religion merely depend on the interpretation of a certain passage or story within the writings that are used as a basis for nearly all faiths\n\nHistory itself shows that  governments under religious influence\nare more likely to make war on countries that have a different\nreligion or a offshoot of their own religion that does that will not comply with the state religion.\n\nAn individuals belief is just that, INDIVIDUAL and should not, and must not be forced on any one person or group of people.\nNor should any country dictate to it's own people or the people of another country on how,where or to whom they pray.
1027498
Religion and government are two different things. Officials should be, and are, elected based on how well they serve the state or national government. Not because of religion.
249128
The US is not a Christian country. George Washington & John Adams (remember them?), in a diplomatic message to Malta, said "The United States is in no way founded upon the Christian religion." \n\nThat being said, the majority of the US government is Christian, as well as the majority of the US populus. Laws that are written based on their religious convictions blur the line between Church and State, and many time, cross it.\n\nMy ancestors (I am a Mayflower descendant) came to this country in 1620 to escape state-imposed religion. The fundi-Christians are trying hard to impose one on us now. This is being allowed to happen because the Congress, Senate, and Executive Branch are controlled by psuedo-Christians, and most of the people who put them there are psuedo-Christians.
1125617
Technically, your question's answer is zero -- the United States as an entity does not "recognize" nor endorse any religion or religions. That's covered in the first amendment of the Constitution -- "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."\n\nAs such, the government is prevented from establishing any licensing requirements, certifications, etc. for religious groups or religion. Pretty much anybody who wants to say "My religion is this" can do so. \n\nThis question may be confused with a different issue -- what happens when a law of the US would conflict with the practice of a certain religion (peyote smoking by Indians, for example). For a decent answer to that question, call a lawyer.
300494
The US is supposed to be about freedom of religion.  Sure, you may get people yelling in your face, but at least you don't get thrown in jail anymore for being different.
672106
Make it optional, no need to pledge allegiance to the flag every morning at all, and make the "God" part optional when saying it.  I think it's more important for kids to understand the Constitutional principles for which this country is founded and is the LAW than some abstract references to what the "proper religion" was at the time of its creation.  I can't find a single reference to a "state religion" in that or any document, including all the articles of confederation.  All I see is that Congress shall make NO LAW regarding the establishment of religion or the free excercise thereof.\n\nMeaning to me that people are freely allowed to excercise their right or abstain from referring to God or Gods in a public forum.  On another note, I don't want any reference to religion in school, that's what the home, church, and parental responsibility are for.  If a religious group wants to meet after school, go for it, but don't make it compulsory or degrading.
215583
The words "separation of church and state" are not in the constitution.  These words are from a letter written by Thomas Jefferson and are taken out of context by groups who want to eliminate the Judeo/Christian tradition from American life.  \n\nWhat the constitution says is that "Congress shall make no law regarding the establishment of religion"  \n\nNot only is congress not allowed to establish an official national religion, but they are expressly forbidden from making any laws regarding religion.  \n\nThis amendment was not intended to apply to the individual states.  Until the fourteenth amendment, (the ratification of this amendment was on very shaky legal ground) individual states could and did establish official state religions.
581981
I'm not sure how you are defining "separation of church and state".  That phrase doesn't appear in the constitution in any form.\n\nI agree with what the constitution says, in essence and I paraphrase... that "the congress (government) shall establish no official mandated religion" which it never has nor ever will. If that is your definition, YES.  I do believe and support no "state mandated religion" which is what the writers of the constitution clearly intended.  \n\nIf you define it like that idiot out in funny land (California) Michael Neudow does, who wants "in God we trust" off all our money, all our buildings and all references to any higher power expunged from all government related materials of any kind, the answer is NO.\n\nIf you don't remember Mr. Neudow, he is the same looney that filed the phoney lawsuit "on behalf" of his 7 year old daughter to take "under God" out of the Pledge of Alleigence.  My answer to that perverted interpretation of the constitution is a big, BIG NO and I don't believe in it for the simplest reason in the world, THATS NOT WHAT THE CONSTITUTION SAYS. nor what it means.\n\nAs for tax status, I could care less since the IRS will stick to just as bad either way.\n\nOh, yeah, by the way.... <lord_dups76> (the first reply) should really, REALLY be back on his Lithium.
911519
When our forefathers created our government with "seperation fo church and state", they were trying to PROMOTE religion! The idea was to allow people to believe in a faith of their choosing. (Keep in mind that back then, many nations, such as England, had a government endorsed religion.) It was never intended to prohibit religion.\n\nWe ARE one nation, under God. We have the freedom to choose how we believe and worship God, but God is central to the reason why our government arose in the first place. The pledge stays! Even if they TRY to remove it, we will be vocal and recite the original version with pride!
564487
I say get religion out of ALL government paid positions.\nNo Priest opening sessions of congress\nNo Clergy in the military ranks\nA secular country that has in it's constitution a ban on state sponsored religion should spend NO taxpayer money on religious personnel.\nReligion in a secular country should play no part in politics. Though out history there have been innumerable gods/goddesses and deities of every flavor, who's to say what one is correct. Even if you take the modern religions which way is the proper way to worship your chosen deity, the countless sects of christianity that follow jesus instead of god or, the multiple forms of judaism in following the word of god, or the various teaching of muhammad in the following of allah. Religion has no business in politics, society can do a fine job of directing the morals of itself and the policies and politics of itself.
1117788
The separation of church and state is a total miscarriage of the Constitution of the USA. \nLawyers, not Christians, have changed the meaning of the clause. What is meant by the so called separation is not separation at all but that the USA is not to set up a state religion such as the UK has with the Anglican Church. \n\nThis is another example of the lies foisted on the American public to satisfy the NON Christian not the Christian. Go and actually read the Constitution and see what it says...90% of Americans have no idea what their constitution says....
1077439
The United states was NOT founded on christian principles. George Washington, Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson , to name a few, were Deists. " As the Government of the United States, is not, in any sense, founded on the christian religion" Treaty of Tripoli 1796. Read before and passed unanimously by the US  Senate. The founders wanted the wall between church and state  because of religious persecution.  They thought no one religion should be able to use the government to force their views on we the people. John Adams wanted it because he didn't want the government to corrupt religion and Thomas Jefferson didn't want religion to corrupt government. It seems they where both right. But alas this debate will go on forever.