America's Legacy of Religious Liberty: pass it on!A new poll of American attitudes toward church-state separation reveals some troubling data. The poll, conducted by a Virginia nonprofit A corporation or an association that conducts business for the benefit of the general public without shareholders and without a profit motive. Nonprofits are also called not-for-profit corporations. Nonprofit corporations are created according to state law. , the Council for America's First Freedom, found that 49 percent of respondents believe that separation of church and state
Equally alarming, a majority of Americans, 53 percent, do not know that the Constitution protects religious liberty. Only 47 percent knew that religious freedom is found in the First Amendment. Thirty-two percent thought it emanates from the Declaration of Independence, and 9 percent said the Ten Commandments Ten Commandments or Decalogue [Gr.,=ten words], in the Bible, the summary of divine law given by God to Moses on Mt. Sinai. They have a paramount place in the ethical system in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. ! When misinformation mis·in·form tr.v. mis·in·formed, mis·in·form·ing, mis·in·forms To provide with incorrect information. mis like this is so widespread, is it any wonder that the American people An American people may be:
At the same time, the poll shows that Americans truly value religious liberty. Fifty-two percent ranked religious freedom above other rights found in the First Amendment. Looked at side by side, these results are perplexing per·plex tr.v. per·plexed, per·plex·ing, per·plex·es 1. To confuse or trouble with uncertainty or doubt. See Synonyms at puzzle. 2. To make confusedly intricate; complicate. : Americans treasure their religious liberty, but they don't see separation of church and state as essential to protecting it. This is discouraging, to say the least. The fact is, the religious liberty Americans value would not have been possible without separation of church and state. Church-state separation has been a great boon to religion in America
intr.v. med·dled, med·dling, med·dles 1. To intrude into other people's affairs or business; interfere. See Synonyms at interfere. 2. To handle something idly or ignorantly; tamper. in the affairs of religion, faith groups have been free to grow and prosper. The incredible diversity of religion in America is a testament to this. But that message is not getting through--and it must if the wall of separation is to survive. To help set the record straight, Americans United has produced a new brochure that explains how meaningful religious liberty cannot survive without separation of church and state. Titled "America's Legacy of Religious Liberty: Pass It On," the brochure uses clear, non-legalistic language to portray church-state separation as the protector, not the enemy, of religious liberty. We hope to distribute this brochure widely. Americans United members and supporters can do their part by helping out. Order a batch and disseminate them widely. Give them to your friends and neighbors and to clergy, teachers, elected officials, news media representatives or anyone else who might benefit from it. Copies of "America's Legacy of Religious Liberty: Pass It On" are 25 cents each or five for a dollar. Send requests to: Americans United, 518 C St., N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002. America's legacy of religious liberty would not have been possible without church-state separation. Help AU spread the word. |
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