The Separation of Church and State as a Source of Religion's Power

Key Insight

Contrary to 18th-century European philosophers who predicted religious decline with liberty, America, a free and enlightened nation, exhibits zealous religious observance. This unique phenomenon is attributed to the 'complete separation of church and state,' a conviction universally held by both American clergy and laymen as the primary reason for religion's peaceful and pervasive influence. In the United States, religion and liberty are intimately intertwined, unlike in France where they often oppose each other.

American clergymen intentionally avoid public office, steering clear of political power with a 'professional pride' in their detachment. They recognize that an alliance between religion and government is a perilous error, sacrificing future influence for present, undeserved power. When religion aligns with a temporal government, it risks forfeiting its legitimate authority, adopts maxims applicable only to specific peoples, embraces worldly passions, and shares the hatred directed at its political allies, undermining its universal appeal and moral standing.

Given that political powers are fleeting and unstable, especially in dynamic democratic republics (where heads of state change every 4 years, legislators every 2 years, and local administrators annually), religion needs a separate, inviolable sphere to maintain its respect and immortality. By renouncing political power, the American clergy ensured that religion's influence, though limited to a specific sphere, remains durable and pervasive, drawing strength from humanity's inherent desire for hope and existence. This separation allows faith to rise again, unburdened by the collapse of temporal allies.