Founders put wall between church and state for reason [View all]

By Ron Friesen / Herald Forum

I grew up going to churches that had two flags at the front: a Christian flag and an American flag.

The significance of those two flags in the front of church strikes me the same then as it does now regarding Christian nationalism: We need to pay attention this election year.

My church said the United States was a “Christian” nation. OK. But as I grew up, I studied and questioned. My public school education raised questions. I learned our country was founded by men (not women, who were not allowed leadership in the church) and they adamantly opposed an official religion in America. Thomas Jefferson even edited his own bible, cutting out all the parts he did not like or disagreed with. The “Jefferson Bible” is an excellent example of how to cherry-pick the Bible. This example remains today, just with different cherry pickers who claim to know God’s will for everyone. No need to ask; they will tell you. And send money!

Our Constitution says nothing about a Christian nation. Even the word God is missing! And only “creator” was used in the Declaration of Independence, which is the term Native Americans use for God, as do many religions.

https://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/forum-founders-put-wall-between-church-and-state-for-reason/