Church and state
Separation of church and state has been a staple in the United States. Lately, however, religion has permeated virtually every aspect of daily life, including the government. Don’t get me wrong: I have nothing against religion, but I do have a problem with one group getting an unfair advantage over others, especially when that group, by law, pays no taxes. If religion wants to become embroiled in government, it needs to pay its fair share. Republicans are always reaching out to give favors to a group that doesn’t contribute while talking about the deficit. That somehow seems unfair-because it is.
During the pandemic, the Payment Protection Program was created to aid small businesses during a critical period when their sales were down to keep them afloat. It is good to keep businesses running, as those businesses create jobs and provide needs (and sometimes wants) to consumers. According to the Atlantic, the government not only provided funds to churches, but they even paid clergy salaries. Pastors need to eat too, but businesses used that money to help thousands of employees even as business was down. Churches are not businesses, and they are not treated like other businesses by being exempt from taxes.
Donald Trump ushered in the power of the Christian right. As the Washington Post reported, Trump appointed hundreds of judges who side with religion in controversies, the U.S. Embassy in Israel moved to Jerusalem, and additions to the Supreme Court skewed it decidedly to the right. Even when Trump lost in 2020, he started this benefit, and his Republicans kept it flowing by tailoring legislation for the benefit of the wishes of one group. Laws have been passed in red states that restrict transgender care and banning books. What happened to “live and let live?” Just because you don’t believe in something doesn’t mean you have the right to step on the rights of others who believe differently. WaPo has reported that we can expect much more should Trump win another term. While advocates of religion hope to secure a spot in the U.S. government, other advocates (civil rights, women’s rights, and gay rights) see it as a threat to basic freedoms. You had better believe they are right. SCOTUS has already overturned Roe v. Wade, Republicans don’t want Black history taught in school (erroneously referring to it as “critical race theory”), and while we sit idly by, the religious right is planning for their takeover.
While Trump’s campaign claims not to be influenced by outside groups, Trump has made it clear that he “remains attuned to [the Christian right’s] priorities.” Those priorities include removing the words “gender” and “abortion” from federal documents, new restrictions on abortion pills, changes to anti-discrimination laws (especially as they relate to LGBTQ people), and more prayer in schools. The British colonized this country 417 years ago to escape claustrophobic rule. Thanks to Donald Trump and his Republican allies, we’re looking at potentially withstanding the same type of rule. People came here to be free, and we want to keep it that way.
Shirley is a former entertainment writer and has worked in the legal field for over 25 years