One, the separation of church and state does not mean the state must be secular

I suspect Flynn's end is coming. But he does raise an important challenge for liberals -- to defend the establishment clause of the First Amendment. Do it now. Do it often. Do it even after the threat is gone.

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Ron Filipkowski

@RonFilipkowski

 · Nov 14

Michael Flynn tonight: “If we are going to have one nation under God, which we must, we have to have one religion. One nation under God, and one religion under God.”

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10:44 AM · Nov 14, 2021·Twitter Web App

*The* Editorial Board

@johnastoehr

·

Nov 14

Replying to 

@johnastoehr

A few thoughts. 

1. One, the separation of church and state does not mean the state must be secular. Conservatives allege this. Some liberals allege it too. Both are wrong. The state must be neutral, not secular. And neutral means all religions are treated/protected equally.

*The* Editorial Board

@johnastoehr

·

Nov 14

2. So equality is the issue, not whether or not the state is secular, or whether religion is in or out of public affairs. The 10 Commandments is fine in front of a court house as long as the state does not bar other religions from having an equal presence in public affairs.

*The* Editorial Board

@johnastoehr

·

Nov 14

3. The temptation for liberals is this: the more Flynn and other ghouls push for a "Christian" state (which does not include, say, Presbyterians), the more liberals push back saying religion should not be involved in the state.

*The* Editorial Board

@johnastoehr

·

Nov 14

4. Again, both are wrong, but by pushing so hard against religions, liberals do two things. 

a. alienated religions, even conservative religions, fearing a "Christian state," as they should.

b. reinforcing the ghouls' argument.

*The* Editorial Board

@johnastoehr

·

Nov 14

5. Their point is the secular left is so dangerous/secular/Marxist/TOTALITARIAN that we need to give up all these nice things like the establishment clause. Let's not help them with a misunderstanding of the establishment clause.

*The* Editorial Board

@johnastoehr

·

Nov 14

6. Liberals can do something about by defending 1A on equality grounds. 

a. Remind people liberals can be religious too. If the 10 Commandments get a spot, perhaps the 7 principles of Unitarian Universalism, too.

uua.org

Principles

Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote seven Principles and share a living tradition of wisdom and spirituality drawn from many sources.

*The* Editorial Board

@johnastoehr

·

Nov 14

7. b. by defending 1A on equality grounds, liberals can make common cause with religions conservatives (the ones who get the shaft if there were a "Christian" state).  Make allies with, say, Mormons, for instance, AGAINST the fascists who want to do away with freedoms.

*The* Editorial Board

@johnastoehr

·

Nov 14

8. The thing about treating/protecting all religions equality is it's actually a very Christian thing to do. Do unto others as you would have done unto you? That's moral equality. Applied to religion and state, that's political equality rooted in morality. Fascists hate this.

*The* Editorial Board

@johnastoehr

·

Nov 14

9. By defending 1A, now and often ever after, liberals can take the high moral and political ground to advance democracy, religion and the highest and most liberal religious principle found in all religious traditions.