Baptists in the history of separation of church and state
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Separation of church and state is one of the primary theological distinctions of the Baptist tradition.
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[edit] History
Originally, Baptists supported separation of church and state in England and America. Some important Baptist figures in the struggle were John Smyth, Thomas Helwys, Edward Wightman, Leonard Busher, Roger Williams (who was a Baptist for a short period but became a seeker), John Clarke, Isaac Backus, and John Leland.
In modern day United Kingdom, of the four constituent countries, only England still has a state faith. The Church of England, is officially endorsed by the state. Although an established church, it does not receive any direct government support. The British monarch (at present, Elizabeth II), has the constitutional title of "Supreme Governor of the Church of England."
In modern day America, there are a vocal minority of Baptist who believe the United States was formed as a christian nation by the founding fathers and only christian politicians and judges should be allowed to take office. They see the current government supporting atheism, which they believe is a religion. They also believe in compulsory organized christian prayer and Bible reading in the public schools during regular school hours. Many Baptists, especially members who are also Freemasons, still strongly support the separation of church and state although, believe there should be more freedom in society and government to express personal religious beliefs, even if non-Christian.
It is important to understand that contemporary comparisons with this history should recognize that religious minorities like the Baptists believed in the preservation of their local establishments of religion. Their communal lifestyles involved compulsory practices which they sought to shield from federal interference. Today, separation arguments are used to dismantle local establishments of religion by arguing that local establishments of religion do not conform to federal standards. Government redefinitions of marriage and application of discrimination laws are examples of how the federal government is regularly used today to interfere with local establishments of religion. It is an important point of controversy to understand how separation doctrines can be used to limit the free exercise of religion which is also held in the first amendment of the United States Constitution.
[edit] English Baptists
In 1612 John Smyth wrote, "the magistrate is not by virtue of his office to meddle with religion, or matters of conscience". That same year, Thomas Helwys wrote that the King of England could "command what of man he will, and wee are to obey it," but concerning the church -- "with this Kingdom, our lord the King hath nothing to do." In 1614, Leonard Busher wrote what is believed to be the earliest Baptist treatise dealing exclusively with the subject of religious liberty.
[edit] American Baptists
The Danbury Baptist Association of Danbury, Connecticut sent a letter, dated October 7, 1801, to the newly elected President Thomas Jefferson, expressing concern over the lack in their state constitution of explicit protection of religious liberty, and against government establishment of religion.
As a religious minority in Connecticut, the Danbury Baptists were concerned that a religious majority might "reproach their chief Magistrate... because he will not, dare not assume the prerogatives of Jehovah and make Laws to govern the Kingdom of Christ," thus establishing a state religion at the cost of the liberties of religious minorities.
In their letter to the President, the Danbury Baptists also affirmed that "Our Sentiments are uniformly on the side of Religious Liberty — That Religion is at all times and places a matter between God and individuals — That no man ought to suffer in name, person, or effects on account of his religious Opinions - That the legitimate Power of civil government extends no further than to punish the man who works ill to his neighbor..."[1]
[edit] Wall of separation
Thomas Jefferson's response, dated January 1, 1802, concurs with the Danbury Baptists' views on religious liberty, and the accompanying separation of civil government from concerns of religious doctrine and practice. Quoting the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, he writes: "...I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between Church & State."[2]
