Is There a Place for Religion in Politics?

The first settlers that came to America did so to escape religious persecution. They found fault in the idea that they should be forced to live their lives under religious law. Most of these settlers were Christians, trying to find a place were they can be free to live as they see fit. Inevitably, our constitution was written to reflect that position.

The separation between church and state, as defined in our constitution, holds true when concerning the tax exempt status of the church. However, when it comes to politics, the line becomes very thin. In all levels of government elections, there are people running on the moral basis of their religion. Even our now presidential hopefuls state that they will base their decision making on their religious moral principal.

It seems unconstitutional to me that the president of the United States of America could pass laws based on their religious beliefs. America has the most diverse population of any country. I acknowledge that a large percentage is Christian (as well as from other religious background) and they choose to govern themselves in accordance with their beliefs. That is their choice and they are free to live as they choose. What is unconstitutional, is the passing of laws that force others against their will, to sacrifice based on religious beliefs that may not be shared.

Pharmacists in some states have been given permission to legally refuse filling birth control prescriptions on the basis of their personal religious beliefs. Despite that 98% of adult women choose to use this form of contraception.

The Pro-life organization against abortion is persistent in getting laws passed against any woman who decides to terminate their pregnancy, because they do not personally believe it is right. This even applys to rape victims and women that find they are pregnant soon after being diagnosed with a terminal illness, such as HIV/Aids.

Some Christian conservatives in the Republican party say that they do not support birth control contraceptives or abortion. They suggest women should remain abstinent if they do not wish to become pregnant.