It was an undeniable fact that the first Americans had to break away from the religious ideals of The British Empire. When the First Amendment was introduced in 1791, which included prohibiting the government to enforce religion on any citizen, that door was supposed to be nailed closed.
Recently, however, a monument of the Ten Commandments was voted to be installed outside of the Tarrant County Commissioners Court building on April 15. Who knew God had as much to do with tax and county judges as the commissioners did?
Decisions like that will crowbar the door back open if local governments continue on the path of integrating church and state.
It’s one example of many that puts a spotlight on the identity crisis America has found itself in. There are so many communities, ideas and ideals trading across the country. It is the worst time for local and federal governments to begin aligning themselves with religious code.
Will the laws of religion guide commissioners to involve culture war tactics to avoid honoring social workers during National Social Work Month in March?
The problem is not religion. It’s the assumption of a few elected officials who decided they are letting religion influence their decision-making and their community must accept it. It’s almost an insult when voters put good faith in their candidates only to be handed organized faith back.
The press release issued by the Tarrant County Commissioner Matt Krause Precinct 3 explains that they are the first in the state to place the commandments on the courthouse lawn.
“The placing of the monument on county grounds is about recognizing a vital piece of our shared cultural and legal heritage in our great state and country,” Krause said in the release.
Without even trying to get into true Texas history and heritage, in what way will Krause and the other conduct their roles referencing the Old Testament Christian values?
The whole reason the separation of church and state is vital to the country is because it sets America apart as being completely devoted to the amendments protecting a citizen’s right to a fair and just government.
Instead of challenging what it means to abide by the First Amendment in one of the biggest melting pots in the world, officials must step up and uphold those rights for the American people. They are representatives, there is no room to act individually.
The snowball effect will take small-scale moments — like the monument — and eventually turn it into an avalanche that will drown Americans before they can realize that they do not see themselves in the country’s leadership.
These people elected to their positions must ask themselves, who are they doing it for?
Is mandated prayer before meetings going to tell the public that they will be seen with an unbiased lens?
That entrusted officials will act with the best interest of the public and not their own?
That time is better spent in communities where religion is, in fact, the center focus. Why not devote that energy to the people who want the same things, accept the same ideas and desire a flourishing community dedicated to faith? What do they lack that a government position does not?
“I also hope this will inspire other counties and cities in Texas and the nation to follow suit to put up similar monuments in their jurisdictions,” Krause included in the release.
If the First Amendment isn’t as much of a priority now as it was at the beginning of this country, he just might get that dream.
