Roots of Prejudice: The Influence that Western Standards of Secularism have on the Perceived (In)compatability of Islam with the Western World

The increase in Muslims entering Western nations in the last few years has sparked a rise in Islamophobia as well as controversy about the role of secularism in the modern nation-state when it is used to justify prejudice and discrimination against Muslims. Most of the literature on Islamophobia focuses on Western Europe. This study examines the relationship between Islamophobia and secularism in the United States. The United States frames secularization as separation of church and state. Analyzing data from the 2011 Pluralism-Immigration-&-Civic-Integration survey that samples 2450 people 18 and older reveals that controlling for age and being Roman Catholic, the more one agrees in the separation of church and state, the more one disagrees that Islam is at odds with American values and culture. Similarly, multiple regression analysis reveals that controlling for age and being Roman Catholic, the more one agrees with the separation of church and state, the more comfortable one is with Muslim women covering their bodies and with a mosque being built near their home. While the multiple regression analysis showed that secular values makes one more comfortable around Muslim women, that does not necessarily match the experiences Muslim women have in the United States. Secularism in the United States is not as prominent as in Western Europe, however, a rethinking of whether the United States supports freedom from religion or freedom of religion, as well as the idea that Islam is incompatible with Western cultures needs to be revisited to prevent discrimination against Muslims

Separation of church and state: a study of the influence of the catholic church on public policy, 2010

The separation of church and state has been a misinterpreted theme throughout United States history. The Establishment Clause, within the 1St Amendment of the United States Constitution, plants the foundational premise for the separation of church and state. The misinterpretation stems from the uncertainty of the role of the church in governmental affairs, specifically those concerning public policy. The Catholic Church continues to be one of the many dominant entities throughout society in shaping the mindsets and influencing the behaviors of the public in the United States. Therefore, this study seeks to explain and identify the relevance, influence and effect of the Catholic Church in public policy processes as it relates to the separation of church and state. This study used the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) as the sample population, which consists of 174 bishops. The sample population was surveyed in order to identify the influence of the Catholic Church on public policy processes in the United States. Of the sample population, 66 bishops responded to the survey. This study also used original documents for analysis purposes in order to indicate the relevance and effect of the Catholic Church on public policy processes in the United States. Through combination of survey results and document analyses, the findings of this study indicate that the influence of the Catholic Church in public policy processes derives from Catholic Church leadership communication methods throughout society. The study findings also indicate that the relevance and effect of the Catholic Church originate from biblical doctrine driving the participation in the moral shaping of society and public policy processes

On not becoming an agent of the state: church-related social welfare agency tactics in an era of government contracting

Identifies a range of possible tactics that are available to church-related agencies in their engagement with government. Abstract  United States, United Kingdom and Australian literature on the potential, and actual, impacts on not-for profit social welfare and human services agencies of contracting with government highlight the risk that such agencies will become ‘agents of the state’ without remainder, substantially losing their identity and character in the process. ‘ Church‐related’ agencies are now playing a significant role in the delivery of social welfare and human services in Australia, in a distinctive pattern of involvement with respect to the history and structure of service delivery, and the pattern of policy, political settlement and the constitutional basis when compared to that of both the United Kingdom and the United States. Against this background paper identifies a range of possible ‘tactics’ that are available to church-related agencies in their engagement with government. Using this framework the paper draws on interviews with a range of senior managers and staff and independent experts, from a purposive sample of church-related agencies and denominational coordinating bodies to explore the possibility that church-related agencies are exercising a degree of agency in their response to the contracting environment to resist, or deflect at least to some degree the impact of the sociological processes associated with the contracting environment. &nbsp

Jefferson and Tocqueville on Christian Nationalism

The United States’ longstanding principle of the separation of church and state has been put into question by proponents of Christian nationalism who seek to make the United States an established Christian state. This paper seeks to argue that Thomas Jefferson’s philosophy was based on sound reasoning, and its benefits to American society were later recognized by French philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville. Furthermore, this paper uses Jefferson’s philosophy and Tocqueville\u27s analysis and applies it to the contemporary relationship between church and state in the United States to argue that Christian nationalism is unfeasible, and that religion should remain a private matter where it provides the most benefits to American citizens

The Catholic Physician and Natural Family Planning: Helping to Build a Culture of Life

This paper is based on the author\u27s answer to a question from Theresa Notare, director of the Natural Family Planning Program of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, about what Catholic scientists and physicians can do to promote NFP and what the Catholic Church in the United States can do to help physicians and health professionals promote NFP. The paper reviews the Church\u27s historical call for health professionals to study and to teach NFP methods, briefly analyzes the current state of NFP in Catholic health care, and provides an answer to Dr. Notare from the perspectives of research, education, and practice

The American Military Chaplaincy and Its Relationship to the Issue of Church and State

The relationship of church and state in the United States is still a live issue today. The tension which exists within this relationship was again brought to public attention through the recent hearings of the cases before the United States Supreme Court regarding Bible reading and prayer in the public schools. A television special on churches and taxation also raised anew an issue which is increasing in tension. In addition, a prime focus of this tension has been centered in the discussion of the church\u27s role over against the Vietnam War. One particular facet of the debate on the relationship of church and state is the issue of the military chaplaincy. This is a controversial issue with which philosophy-of-government and legal analysts, as well as theologians, have wrestled throughout the history of our country. The task of this thesis is to examine the various positions held or suggested over against the United States military chaplaincy as it becomes a matter of discussion in the issue of the relationship of church and state

Religion in the Classroom in Germany and the United States

In this Article, Professor Eberle evaluates the relationship of religion in the classroom in Germany and the United States, as formulated by the countries\u27 highest courts, the German Constitutional Court and the United States Supreme Court Pursuant to the German model of church-state cooperation, public finds are channeled to religious organizations, such as, for example, using the machinery of the state to rise and disperse tax monies to religious organizations. Religious groups may then use the tax monies collected to support religious education in the public schools. However, pursuant to guidelines announced by the German Constitutional Court, teaching of religious tenets can only occur in religion class and ample opportunity must be given to students to choose or not choose the type of religious instruction they desire. Apart from religion class, dominant Christianity is to be treated only as a part of the historical tradition of western civilization and not as a missionary exercise; no religious indoctrination may occur on public school premises outside of religion class. By contrast the language and Enlightenment background of the American Establishment Clause reasonably suggests a more separationist approach to church-state relations. It is fair to say that a separationist approach still largely applies with respect to public schools. However, the formal neutrality advanced by the Rehnquist Court reconceives church-state relations along distinctly more accommodationist grounds concerning private, parochial schools. Employing a core doctrine of (1) neutrality and (2) private, genuine choice--principles that resonate partly with German doctrine-substantial public aid has been dispensed to private, religious schools, as we will examine. In this way, religious institutions can be accommodated in society on the same basis as secular institutions. We can see that recent American Establishment Clause doctrine has unfolded in a way somewhat characteristic of German church-state relations in respect of public support for religious teaching in schools. For comparative purposes, it is striking that American doctrine has so evolved notwithstanding a much different historical understanding and constitutional language

THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND RACE: THE ROLE OF INTENT IN CREATING A RACIALLY INTEGRATED CHURCH

This thesis reviews the role of intent in creating a racially integrated church congregation in the United States. It considers a brief history of the American church’s relationship to race, surveying church involvement in slavery, segregation, and Civil Rights. It reviews the current state of race relations in the church through modern research on church responses to race and integration efforts, and it presents novel research on the factor of church mission in building racial integration in individual congregations. Research consisted of interviewing members of leadership at a successfully integrated church in the northeastern United States. Findings indicate that intent to be racially diverse must be followed by specific actions in various structural aspects of an individual church to be successful

Modern Misconceptions on the Wall of Separation: An Analysis on the Influence and Misinterpretation of Jefferson’s Separation of Church and State

The symbolic concept of separation between church and state defines the relationship between government and religion. While Jefferson did not author the phrase, the third President of the United States promoted the philosophy of a wall of separation between church and state in his letter to the Danbury Baptists in 1802. Jefferson’s support for a wall of separation stemmed from a strong belief in liberty of conscience and relied heavily upon the conviction to protect religious liberty. Through an analysis on the contextual history of the phrase, the original intent and application of separation of church and state becomes evident. By examining Jefferson’s original intent behind the concept of a wall of separation, a proper interpretation of this philosophy will demonstrate appropriate protection for both religion and government. Later paraphrased “separation of church and state,” this political concept has been misconstrued from Jefferson’s original meaning. Recent Supreme Court interpretations have misinterpreted the concept as freedom from religion, instead of freedom of religion.The Supreme Court has mistakenly categorized the wall of separation as a summary of the First Amendment and cited Jefferson’s phrase as judicial precedent in numerous cases, resulting in a misrepresentation of Jefferson’s concepts. This misrepresentation subsequently affected the judicial rulings of succeeding courts

January 22, 2011: Americans United for Separation of Church and State

Blog post, “Americans United for Separation of Church and State“ discusses politics, theology and the law in relation to religion and public life in the democratic United States of America