by Jessica Kuzmier

Created on: January 12, 2009   Last Updated: October 07, 2010

The debate of the role of faith in politics has become a facet of American culture. One may even wonder if God and politics can coexist in peace in the American landscape. What does the Constitution say, and does it make a difference what it says if the people want something different? The question of unity through diversity is one that the United States has been experimenting with for years. Looking at the issue from various vantage points will help foster a solution, or perhaps some kind of truce to this debate.

There are arguments on one side, the secular one, that argue against religiosity, citing separation of church and state. Their feeling is that a particular religious group having clout in any branch of the government will constitute violate the secularism that this country's foundations. In their view, the country was never intended to express the religious views of any one particular group.

The most prevalent group on the opposite side, at least in the United States, is the evangelical Christians. They argue that this was always a Christian country and that the founding fathers never intended for God to be kicked out of the ruling branches. They believe the more that God is eliminated from the public sphere, the further away we are getting from the intention of Founding Fathers. This, in turn, will erode the responsibility that goes along with freedom. Without God, they argue, freedom becomes anarchy.

Both of these groups need to coexist peacefully with one another, and both have the right to their points of view. The problem begins when one believes that the other is antagonistic to their existence. Secularists believe that evangelicals are trying to force religion down their throats via the law. Evangelicals believe that secularists want to eradicate them as well. The recent controversy over what to call Christmas was a case in point. Should we put the Christ back in Christmas, even on the Capitol lawn, or should we all adopt Sir Richard Branson's nearly unpronounceable holiday moniker to encapsulate the holiday spirit for all? Both groups were on the defensive from the other.

It certainly makes sense that secularists would feel threatened with what they perceive to be a religious agenda. If a person does not believe in God, or would rather keep God to themselves privately, the idea of someone basing laws on some religious premise might seem appalling. If the Ten Commandments are codified, does that mean religious practice is mandated by law? Can

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