The separation of church and state (audio)

The separation of church and state is a precious fundamental key to the success of our country. The founders of our country, authors of the Constitution, felt it both necessary and vital to insure the freedom of religion and to clearly protect our governing policies from religious doctrine.

When I spoke with Susan Jacoby, the author of “Freethinkers: A History of American Secularism,” she expressed her deep concern for the preservation of the separation of church and state and religious freedom in America. In the past term of the Bush administration, she pointed out there were numerous instances of the separation of church and state becoming foggy, if not non-existent. This can be seen, for example, in the faith based initiatives that were initiated under the Bush administration and the judicial nominees that the President set forth to Congress.(see links below)
Mr. Bush has made no secret of his belief that his religious doctrines should play a part in our government’s policy.

Religion also played a key role in this election. The exit polls after the election showed that moral “values” were the leading topic, over terrorism and the economy, of interest and influence upon people’s voting. The exit polls show that 75% of Evangelicals who voted gave their vote to President Bush.

At the end of this posting I have gathered an array of websites and articles which I hope you will find interesting.

Listen here to my interview with Susan Jacoby:
Real Audio Stream

Windows Media Stream

mp3 download (right mouse click) for your iPod etc.

Articles:
“Vote and Be Damned”
New York Times Op-Ed by Maureen Dowd

“The godly must be crazy: Christian-right views are swaying politicians and threatening the environment”
By Grist Magazine on the Working for Change website

“The White House Wasn’t Always God’s House”
By Arthur Schlesinger Jr. for the Los Angeles Times. Historian Arthur Schlesinger Jr. was a top aide to President Kennedy.

“On the Final Sunday, Sermons Pulse With the Power of Spiritual Suggestion”
New York Times by Robert D. Mcfadden

“Third player in presidential race: God Supporters in both parties believe religion’s role is significant”
By S.V. Date

Websites:

Center for Inquiry-Metro New York
Director—Susan Jacoby

Americans United for the Separation of Church and State

First Amendment Center

The Interfaith Alliance

White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives

Faith Based Community Initiatives

Center for Reclaiming America- election issue fact page

Christian Coalition of America—Voter Guide

I Vote Values