The Separation of Church and State

According to Carter the First Amendment protects religion from the state and not vise versa. "The metaphorical separation of church and state originated in an effort to protect religion from the state, not the state from religion" (Carter 103). This can be seen throughout America today. I'm not exactly sure when and where, but there once was a time in America where individuals were trying to enforce prayer in public school. This is wrong for a number of reasons. For one, not everyone practices the same religions or share the same religious beliefs. Another thing the First Amendment protects the public from is the possibility of being persecuted for practicing your religion. As Americans we have a plethora of different cultures and belief systems, so it would be unimaginable, even though it's happened throughout our history, that an individual would be reprimanded and discriminated against for practicing the religion of their choice. Carter states that "the government should neither force people into sectarian religious observances, such as classroom prayer in public schools, nor favor some religious over others, as by erecting a creche paid for with public funds, not punish peoples for their religiosity without very strong reason other than prejudice" (Carter 103). I believe that this is the reason for the First Amendment, to protect the religious rights of the public from the government. However one has to ask themselves how far is too far? Carter gives an example from his home town. He states that "The town of Hamden, Connecticut, where I live, briefly ruled that a church group could not rent an empty schoolhouse for services" (Carter, 105). This decision was said to have been made as a defense of as required by the separation of church and state. Was this decision correct? In my opinion, of course not. I don't see the harm in renting an empty space that just so happened to have once served as a school building. This in no way violates the First Amendment, at least in my eyes.

Carter, Stephen L. "The Separation of Church and State" A World of Ideas: Essential Readings for College Writers." Ed. Lee A. Jacobus. 7th ed. New York: Bedford/St. Martins. 2006. pp.22-31