So many times we hear it said the church and state must be separate. Actually, it goes more like “separation of church and state.” Often times these people who ascribe to this position are saying keep the church out of our government and lives. As we look around we can see how well that has worked over the years.

So many of these people quote this saying believing it to be part of our founding documents. Nothing could be further from the truth. I once heard someone base it on the First Amendment. It was obvious that the speaker didn’t actually know the First Amendment to the Constitution which reads:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

Notice that the term “separation of church and state” is nowhere mentioned in the amendment. The term actually comes from a personal letter of Thomas Jefferson and in that letter he goes on to explain how the First Amendment was designed to keep the government out of the church, not the other way around. Thomas Jefferson also made the comment that it was good for a “little rebellion” every so often. I wonder if the separation of church and state people are advocating that as well.

Unfortunately, far too many Christians have bought into the lie that they are not to speak up or to speak out. They forget that this right is also guaranteed by the First Amendment. Good, free, and moral citizens not only have a right to speak out against injustices; it is a duty. For the Christian, it is a requisite. Micah 6:8 says for the people of God to “seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” It is time for American Christians to once again stand up, be counted, and be heard. There are several ways we can do this:

1. Don’t just post some catchy phase, video, or article on Facebook. Write your congressman and senators, at the Federal and State level.
2. Understand what is going on. Do your homework.
3. Get educated. Read the founding documents like the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.
4. Vote.
5. Get others involved as well.