The very first clause of the U.S. Constitution says that Congress, “shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” The founders of this country, especially Thomas Jefferson, made it clear that no one religion would run the United States like a theocracy. Even though there were many signs that the nation was faith-based, using “God” in many important documents, we accept and acknowledge every belief of our citizens. Today, however, extreme-religious leaders are trying to undo that rule set in stone (or very old paper). And scarily, the Supreme Court is the head of that so-called “movement.”
In the case, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the JWHO challenged Mississippi’s abortion ban after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The conservative Supreme Court ruled 6-3 last June in favor of Mississippi’s government who wanted to not only hold up the ban but to overturn another case that started the foundation of women’s reproductive rights, Roe v. Wade, which the Court indeed accomplished. This outcome was due to the origination of Christian beliefs of the Justices and politicians. Verses like Psalms 22:9-10 talks similarly with abortion, “Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you, even at my mother's breast. From birth I was cast on you; from my mother's womb you have been my God.” But, according to the country’s rule, personal religion should not affect government decision-making. An official dictionary says, “the United States government does not have to follow any religious scripture or laws. The government is free to pass any law it wants, even if the law conflicts with a religious commandment.” Could this be an example of hypocrisy?
Another major issue which also involves the Supreme Court is the rights of LGBTQ+ citizens. The case, 303 Creative v. Elenis, is about a graphic artist who founded and currently owns her own studio, 303 Creative. Court documents showed she was willing to serve all clients no matter sexual orientation or gender, but that recently changed. After starting to design wedding websites, the owner stated that it would go against her Christian beliefs to include LGBTQ+ members, so she refused to do so. After this trial gained media and national attention to the larger issue at hand, the Court, continuing their outdated beliefs, ultimately ruled in the graphic designer’s favor, basically giving private American businesses the right to turn down anyone of that community.
Tennessee has been in the spotlight for this issue as well, and obviously not always in the most flattering way. Governor Bill Lee recently decided to sign a bill that would ban public performances of drag. The drag ban immediately elicited questions from the general public: Why? Does it hurt anyone? Ironically, a photo recently resurfaced of the governor himself dressing in drag during his 1977 yearbook high school photo. When asked about it, he stated, “How dare you sexualize entertainment.” Is drag not the same thing? When given more thorough questions such as, “Is it only illegal when gay people do it?” -he gave no comment.
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Religion is a right in this country, but then again, should we be allowed to exercise those beliefs in making decisions on behalf of our own government, especially when it impacts people who do not follow the same beliefs? Should we let personal preferences persuade how people who hold public office govern? More often than not, the only reasoning behind the anti-rights group is linked back to a few lines in the Bible. Sure, eliminating bias from anything can be a challenge. Perhaps some of those in office are uncomfortable with alternative truths. Oftentimes, people fear what they don’t understand. Church and State must be separate, because there isn’t just one religion living here. This country is diverse with other religions like Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Atheists, and Agnostics. The United States of America doesn’t have a national religion for a reason, but where do we draw a line?
Click here to vote in this month's poll concerning your opinion on the separation of church and state in the United States.
- Jacob Francy