Forum on Separation of Church and State Evokes Lively Discussion

Following is a report written by an attendee at the presentation, "Voting Our Conscience: Separation of Church and State" made by Mary Traupman, attorney and a Sister of Divine Providence.

Other insights and feedback are encouraged by posting comments.

Sr. Traupman explored the constitutional and societal issues confronting our
current political state.  She said clearly at the outset that separation of church and state should not be made into a political issue. 

She provided a quote by John F. Kennedy given in a speech to southern evangelicals in order to alleviate their fears concerning the Papacy and Catholic
doctrine.  Kennedy assured them that there was "a wall between any church and a secular government."  What a difference today when the political
arguments are made in reverse!  This is why religion and politics make a bad mixture.  So Sr. Traupman turned the issue back to the personal well-formed
conscience--"a kind of moral auto-pilot."  It is possible to elevate the primacy of the conscience as a moral guide.  God gave us the gift of choice and free-will and, above all, reason to determine right from wrong and after all, the natural law is God's law.

To a filled room at the Kearns Spirituality Center, Sr. Traupman voiced the wording of the First Amendment and explained why this wording is so explicit in determining that there be no establishment of religion.  In order to maintain our rights of freedom of religion,  these words must remain firm.  Religions have freedom to exist in their own form since established churches pay no taxes.

She gave quotes concerning religious beliefs and public morality.  We are a nation of many religions.  No religion, sect or belief should have an advantage over another.  This is why a "wall" has been devised to prevent a "take-over."

Sr. Traupman asks rightly—Should not our pluralistic community promote harmony and understanding?  She asks, "Do we wish to divide ourselves so fundamentally that it threatens our ability to function as a nation?"  Witness the
clashes among many theocratic nations and sectarian regions around the world.  Are we realistic in imposing our will upon others?  Think again--the "wall" becomes necessary.  Those men who founded this nation by written law took this necessity under serious consideration.  The men of reason wanted
the new nation to survive under e pluribus Unum.  This was their vision, their enlightenment.  Sr. Traupman covered many of the very manipulated controversies wedged into our electoral process.  She warned us about the blatant attempts to divide us.

Sr. Traupman stimulated vibrant thought and gave us an outstanding presentation.                                                                   

by John Catoline