Ayn Rand On Religious Conservatism

[MisterSwig]

According to the Constitutional principle of the separation of Church and State, religion is a private matter; it should not be brought into public issues or into the province of government, and it should not be made a part of political movements. Consider the implications of the attempt to tie Conservatism to religion: if such an attempt succeeded, it would make religion an integral part of our political system, in direct contradiction to the Constitution ...

I am convinced that what the Communists did to the Liberals, the professional religionists are now attempting to do to the Conservatives.

Forty-four years ago, Ayn Rand wrote about the threat of religious conservatism. Now that it is a reality, can we determine whether Ayn Rand was correct? Is religion now "an integral part of our political system?"

[Thoyd Loki]

Not yet, but boy, it is not from a lack of trying!

[Godless Capitalist]

First, a historical point: the phrase "separation of Church and State" is not in the Constitution; it comes from Jefferson's writings. The Constitution prohibits as "establishment of religion," which at the time meant a government-supported "official" religion such as existed in England.

As for whether religion "should not be made a part of political movements" how could that be prohibited in a free society? Or does she mean it is ethically improper?

In one sense religion has always been an integral part of our political system. Most Americans get their ethics from religion, not reason, so their views on abortion, liquor laws, etc. are based ultimately on religion. I don't see any way around that until there is a major change in society.

If we are talking, though, about the explicit establishment of religious principles as part of our government, I don't see where that is happening. The ACLU for all its faults does a pretty good job on that front.

[Yes]

Forty-four years ago, Ayn Rand wrote about the threat of religious conservatism. Now that it is a reality, can we determine whether Ayn Rand was correct? Is religion now "an integral part of our political system?"

Leonard Peikoff and Craig Biddle seem to think so.

Bush trying to give tax dollars to support programs run by churches is a reprehensible example of this.