The Seduction of Religious Impulses

One of the books I have been reading during this very moving time of our lives is Founding Faith by Steven Waldman, the founder of BeliefNet. Waldman presents a very balanced view of what the "founding fathers," specifically Washington, Adans, Jefferson, and Madison, had to say about things religious. One quote from the chapter entitled "Practicing What They Preached" helped illuminate much of the contemporary debate on church state issues for me.

Madison, the shaper (if not the author) of the First Amendment guarantees on religious liberty was commenting on the practice of appointing military chaplains during Washington's administration. Madison disapproved of this practice and wrote, "The object of this establishment is seducing; the motive is laudable. But is it not safer to adhere to a right principle, and trust to its consequences, than confide in the reasoning however specious in favor of a wrong one."

As I understand Madison, he recognized how noble the stand was for those who supported the appointment of such chaplains and how popular it was, but he felt it more important to uphold the principles established in the Bill of Rights and to trust in the outcome. This reminded me of those today who support the posting the Ten Commandments in all public buildings, especially schools and court houses, and who insist on allowing a moment for prayer for the school children. These folks believe that such practices follow the will of the majority of Americans and will be important stands for our country to take. Further, they have argued that having the Ten Commandments always before us and having the children engage in prayer will "bring our country [and its people] back to God."

It is hard for politicians to resist such movements, particularly since these groups often make veiled, or blatant, political threats against any elected official who would not vote for such a measure, as in, "We will remember your vote come election time." Yet, resist they must.

Regardless of how they are presented, the proposals I have mentioned, have a decidedly Christian slant. Most "God-fearing" folks in Daphne Alabama, for example, would expect the prayers to be offered to be Christian prayers and would hope that folks who see the Commandments would understand that these are the "rules" that the one true God (the Christian One, don't you know) has established for human life. Madison's concern, my concern, and, I believe, the Constitution's concern (with the Bill of Rights) is to protect the rights of those who are not in the majority and who do not want to pray to the Christian God.

These religious impulses are seductive. Everyday folk, like you and me, have to help the elected officials resist the seduction.