Seeker,

I was intrigued by a question you posed in a recent letter of yours thad was posted.

You had asked the following question:

"Does not our Constitution forbid the collusion of State with Religion ( separation of church FROM government ?)"

The 1828 Noah Webster's dictionary defines collusion:

"COLLUSION, n. 

1. In law, a deceitful agreement or compact between two or more persons, for the one party to bring an action against the other, for some evil purpose, as to defraud a third person of his right. A secret understanding between two parties, who plead or proceed fraudulently against each other, to the prejudice of a third person."

The first amendment to the US constitution, i.e. the first in the "Bill of Rights", is written as follows:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

The constitution prevents Congress making laws to establish a religion, i.e. a state church, like in some European nations.

It also prevents Congress from making laws prohibiting the free exercise of religion.

The amendment is there to restrain Congress, and is not restricting Christians or churches.

The right of Christian churches to preach against the government, or government policies, is actually backed-up by this amendment.

There is nothing in the amendment regarding collusion.

Other laws may be broken by what is described in the definition of collusion.

An example of collusion would be where Islamic organizations, the government, and the media cooperate:

to prevent the dissemination of the identity of the religion or national background of terrorists, criminals, or suspects; preventing the citizenry from knowing what's really going on or who their enemy actually is; where they are simply told to be vigilant, while being kept in the dark; presumedly this prevents any negative "hate-thoughts" against Islamic terrorists.

There is also nothing in the amendment regarding "separation of church FROM government".

The amendment actually thus allows people to enter public office, regardless of their religion.

Congress is prevented from making religious "litmus test" laws for public service in the government.

Senators have done it on committees, like what Sen Biden did with Judge Bork, but they are prevented from making laws like that.

The constitution does not call for the separation of religion and state.

Religion is not restricted or regulated at all in the amendment, only Congress is restricted.

Also, the word church is not even mentioned in the amendment.

There is absolutely therefore no restriction placed on the church thereby.

Also, the church is not legislated by the constitution to separate from anything, including the government.

The Lord, himself, instructs us to separate from unequal yokes with unbelievers:

II Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

I hope I answered your question.

Perhaps someone else will answer it as well, and do a better job putting it all into perspective than I did.

Please let me know what you think?

Gino