Historic Times Ahead for Church/State Separation

We're living in a period that seems like two freight trains headed for each other. One is conservative Supreme Court judges that are inching over the line and permitting more religion in government. The other is a slow decline of Christian (and other religions) denominations. It is healthy the press is discussing this.

Currently in Iowa and perhaps across the country it is possible for receive taxpayer money to send children religious-based schools. Nearly all of these schools are Christian. I don't think it would be inaccurate to paraphrase the motive for this advocacy as, "If more children are exposed to the Christain narrative the more likely they will be Christians in adulthood."

Public money for religious education ultimately will turn out to not serve the cause of Christianity. First, it must inevitably take money from public education. It seems inevitable a less educated society will be one where both religious and secular citizens will be worse off. Second, the notion that more exposure to Christian ideas will lead to a society with more Christian citizens remains elusive.

Everyone who lives in this country is exposed to Christianity. One cannot drive far in any city without driving by a church with a cross. There are Christian billboards. Christian politicians and leaders let us know what they believe. All of this exposure to Christianity has not raised Christian numbers. Instead, they are falling. It is reasonable to conclude making Christianity even more visible by inserting it into government will accelerate, not reverse, the decline.

The political theater of acting as if putting more Christianity into government is will help Christianity is underway. The final act is out there in the future.



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