Separating Church and State Benefits Both

Complete video at: http://fora.tv/2008/08/04/A_Clear_Relationship_Between_Religion_and_Politics

Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, president of The Interfaith Alliance, argues for greater understanding of the separation between religion and American government.

-----

Rev. Dr. Welton Gaddy is the leader of two national nonpartisan grassroots and educational organizations, The Interfaith Alliance and The Interfaith Alliance Foundation, and serves as the pastor for preaching and worship at Northminster (Baptist) Church in Monroe, Louisiana.

One of twenty international religious leaders on the Council of 100 Leaders, a group created by the World Economic Forum to improve dialogue and understanding between the Western and Islamic worlds, Rev. Gaddy is host of "State of Belief," a weekly radio show produced by The Interfaith Alliance (carried on AirAmerica), which is based on the proposition that religion has a positive and healing role to play in the life of the nation.

Founded in 1994, The Interfaith Alliance (TIA) has grown into a national grassroots organization of 150,000+ individuals of faith and goodwill drawn from more than seventy-five different religious traditions or beliefs with a cyber-network of 10,000 activists and seventy-five local activist groups. Dedicated to promoting mutual respect, cooperation, and civility, TIA strives to promote religion as a positive and healing force in the life of the nation.

In addition to authoring over twenty books, Dr. Gaddy provides regular commentary to the national media on issues relating to religion and politics. His appearances include CNN Presents: The Fight Over Faith; PBS's NOW with Bill Moyers; PBS Frontline's The Jesus Factor; PBS's The Newshour with Jim Lehrer; NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw; CBS Evening News with Dan Rather; ABC World News Tonight with Peter Jennings; numerous National Public Radio stations including KQED's Forum in San Francisco and KCRW's The Politics of Culture in Los Angeles; CNBC's Capital Report; CNN's The World Today with Wolf Blitzer; CNN's Inside Politics with Judy Woodruff; PBS's Religion and Ethics Newsweekly; CBS's Freedom to Pray; C-SPAN's Washington Journal; NBC's Dateline. He is also the former host of Morally Speaking on NBC affiliate KTVE in Monroe, Louisiana.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• barack
• obama
• john
• mccain
• religion
• faith
• religious
• god
• belief
• government
• separation
• constitution
• first
• amendment
• freedom
• fora.tv
• foratv
• fora
• tv

[ogjimkenobi]

What the hell is there to figure out? The two need to remain completely separate, problem solved.

[stephenetienne]

This speech is a very good presentation of a vitally important idea in American government because although The Constitution already separates church and state, George Bush worked for eight years to reunite them.

[DAVIDAMORSE1701]

Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:-

“I do solemnly swear (or affi rm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

"So Help Me God" is NOT part of the oath as written in the Constitution. It has been added by tradition. No Riligious test for office shall be required.

[shyshy119]

@DAVIDAMORSE1701 not all christians you jerkwad, stop with the statistics and show me the numbers where it says ALL christians hate healthcare and support the death sentence

[eastariel]

Two parties, Republicans and Democrats, have enough trouble trying to reach consensus.

Can you imagine if the Christian religion led our government? Over 30,000 Christian denominations trying to reach consensus? Not likely!

Even one denomination gets in fist fights with itself over issues like gay marriage. The government would erupt into chaos over every issue!

[yvetteaonmyown]

Everyone in America are not Christians...Christians have a relationship with God and most Christians leave a lot to be desired...Government does not discriminate against Christians - what I am saying is it's a non-issue...whatever government can do is only what God wills it to do...and I don't presume to manage God's business I have enough trying not to live on Haagan Daas alone!! LOL!!

[okorewq]

I am not American, but Christian, and I do not know why some christian people would like to see Church mingled up in politics. Theocracy, much? How about people who believe differently? Would it be any different from non Muslims governed by Sharia law in some Islamic countries? The Bible says that Jesus' kingdom is not of this world. And neither are we. As the light of the world, we demonstrate Christ through our works, and love and preach repentance, but not govern as worldly governments do.

[okorewq]

@DAVIDAMORSE1701 What it was like before the beginning? How did life come about? How did the male and female sexes develop, to perfectly suit each other for reproduction? How did the first hen know to incubate her eggs for 21 (?) days? How is it that the alignment of the planets in our galaxy is just right, and the slightest offset would be fatal? etc. What is the probability it would all match? I say it takes more faith to believe in such chance than in an all knowing God who made all things.

[okorewq]

@DAVIDAMORSE1701 A bit much when you say you "defend the Christians' right to their religion", and then state "The Bible is myths and faith is just a belief that requires no proof." And, as a believer of reason and science, the least you could do is provide proof that Christians "took it on faith that Earth was the center and planets and Sun orbited it." The Bible does not say so, and I dare you, if you can to prove it does. And I do not know when evolution has been "scientifically" proven.

[romansten9]

Many people actually believe the "myth of separation" Its been widely spread by the media and schools for many years. Repeated so much, that people now believe it.

It began in 1947 when radical judges began a new interpretation of a letter by Jefferson. They ruled that "separation" would be the new standard, and cited ZERO legal precedents. (how could they find a precedent, there were NONE)

Prior to 1947, church/state were mixed often, for >150 years. Anyone can research and find the truth