Letter to the editor: Commentary blurred the lines between private spirituality and public governance

The recent commentary advocating for a spiritual-based solution to our nation’s problems, specifically through the integration of Jesus into our public institutions, raises significant questions about the role of faith in American society.

While the author is free to express their personal beliefs, their call to action risks blurring the lines between private spirituality and public governance, a distinction that is fundamental to our country’s foundation.

The United States is not a theocracy. Our government is not founded on a single faith, nor does it favor one religion over another. This is by design, as established by the First Amendment to the Constitution, which states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.”

This principle of separation of church and state is crucial for protecting the religious freedoms of all citizens — including those who are Christian, those who belong to other faiths, and those who have no religious beliefs at all.

The author is right in one respect: a person’s relationship with God is deeply personal. It is a one-to-one relationship, a journey of faith that is unique to each individual. This is precisely why the government should not be in the business of promoting one religion over another. A person’s spiritual life is a matter for their own conscience, not for legislative mandate or public-school curriculum.

While the author suggests that America needs to “get back” to a Christian foundation, the demographic reality is far more complex and diverse.

According to the Pew Research Center, roughly 62% of Americans identify as Christian, a figure that has been declining for years. Even within that group, only a minority are considered to be “practicing.” A 2020 study by the Barna Group found that only about one in four Americans (25%) qualify as “practicing Christians” based on consistent engagement with their faith.

These statistics show that a large segment of the population does not identify with or regularly practice the Christian faith, making any attempt to legislate Christian values a direct infringement on the beliefs and rights of the majority of Americans.

The author’s commentary echoes the language of Christian nationalism, a dangerous ideology that seeks to merge American and Christian identities. This is not just a call for more people to find Jesus; it’s a political project that threatens the very principles of our democracy.

Christian nationalism often promotes the false idea that America was founded as a “Christian nation” for Christians alone, leading to the marginalization of non-Christians and religious minorities.

History shows us that when government and religion are intertwined, it often leads to discrimination, oppression and even violence.

Our nation’s strength lies in its pluralism and commitment to religious freedom for all. Instead of trying to legislate a single faith into our public spaces, we should focus on strengthening the foundational principles of tolerance and mutual respect that allow people of all beliefs — or no belief — to coexist peacefully.

KP Gillan

Centralia