Judge Roy Moore just doesn’t get it, nor do his followers.  Polls reveal the majority of Alabamians support returning the Ten Commandment monument to the rotunda of the judicial building.  Further, a majority in the United States support the continued display of the monument.  But the first amendment to the constitution exists precisely for that reason, to protect the minority from the majority.  Judge Moore, it is reported, was raised a Baptist and continues so currently.  I fear he is not aware of his Baptist history and heritage, for Baptists were at the forefront of the effort to secure an amendment to guarantee that government will steer clear of religion, neither promoting it nor restricting it. 

          Roger Williams was one of the first Baptists in the American colonies. Williams advocated complete soul freedom for everyone.  He insisted that an individual has the right to believe in God and practice any religion, or to not believe in God and practice no religion, and still have full and equal citizenship. He was driven into exile from the Colony of Massachusetts because he would not conform to the state religion and subsequently founded the Rhode Island colony, a colony with the freedom he advocated . 

          At the time of the Revolutionary War and the emergence of the United States, Baptists were a persecuted minority.  They were persecuted in Massachusetts by the state church, the Congregational Church, and they were persecuted in Virginia by the state church, the Anglican Church. Therefore, as a constitution for the new nation was being debated, Baptists lobbied strongly for the separation of church and state.  James Madison fulfilled on a promise he made to Baptists to secure their support for the new constitution.  He offered the amendment which confirmed the separation of church and state.

          How has it worked?  Religion in the United States, in the atmosphere of freedom afforded by the first amendment, has thrived.  During the same time, countries in Europe, which continued state sponsored churches, have seen these churches dwindle.   Contrary to what some would have you believe, we have the utmost freedom to exercise religion  at home, at church, at work, at school and anywhere in society as long as it is not government sponsored and does not infringe on the freedom of others.  As Dr. Vernon Davidson, long time professor of Religion at Samford University, often said, “You have the freedom to swing your fist all you want to...until it comes too close to my face.”  The freedom, or rights, of the majority are limited by the freedom and rights of the minority.       

          As a nation, without question, we believe in God.  Polls indicate that over ninety percent of our citizens profess belief in God. Religion has been an integral part of the fabric of our national life.  Through the years government servants have openly professed their beliefs and dependence upon God.  Judge Moore has complete freedom to hold his religious beliefs, to practice his religion, and to share his religion.  But when he uses his place as Chief Justice to promote his religious views, he has stepped across the line into government sponsorship of religion.  In this increasingly pluralistic society, no agency of government must be allowed to foster a religion.  Judge Moore just doesn’t get it.