Letter: Separation of church, state is important to maintain

From: Larry Shade

Columbus

The founding fathers repeatedly emphasized the separation of powers between the church and state. They believe in the necessity of each having their own identity. Religion is a more focused institution dealing with behavior and spiritual belief. In America, every individual has the option of accepting religion. Religion promotes a better environment for a diversified country to work toward the common good.

But the state and its governing power is a broader institution. Defending the country and our freedom remains its top mandate. It also has the responsibility to govern in a fair and equitable way so that all of our institutions can remain stable.

But religion today is not relevant in the lives of some Americans. Trying to intermingle parts of religion with the state’s obligations would violate the state’s mandate of equal rights for all. Religion and the state have had their differences in the past. But they have learned to coexist in a peaceful manner.

But the Donald Trump-controlled Republican Party decided that religion should become a more powerful influence. For the country to perform as our founders intended, both the church and state need to stay in their own lanes. When in synch, both of these institutions provide a stable force in keeping our democracy.

But the Republican Party has moved farther to the right. This has made the party less willing to negotiate or compromise with different opinions, resulting in a stalled Congress. This dysfunction in Congress is a negative force and must not continue. A recent poll: Will America continue to be a democracy 25 years from today? Sixty percent responded, “no.”