2008 Woodie Awards
Point-Counterpoint
Should U.S. Presidents continue to meet with Roman Catholic Popes?
Anna Schmidt
Issue date: 4/30/08 Section: Opinion
Pope? Fine by me.
I am a firm believer in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that creates a wall of separation between church and state. I do not believe that the government should endorse any particular religion, but we all know that this is not the case. As young kids we all pledged allegiance to the flag and recited the words "under God". On every dollar bill the phrase "in God we trust" appears. And after every speech made by many prominent government figures we hear the words "God Bless America". Does this nation truly have a separation between church and state? No.
Recently, the Pope came to visit the United States and met with President Bush to discuss foreign affairs. This has sparked a great deal of controversy. Many argue that the president and the Pope should not maintain a relationship that involves collaboration on global affairs.
Again, I believe in a separation of church and state, but if we are going to allow all of latter, why are we trying to prevent a positive relationship with a prominent global leader? I want our president to have great relations with all sorts of leaders, including religious ones. I do not want our president to be discouraged from establishing relationships with individuals because of their religious backgrounds. I want the President to discuss global affairs with the Dalai Lama or the Imam at a prominent mosque in an Islamic nation. I want our president to develop positive relationships with leaders from all religions, and that includes the Pope.
Fostering relationships with foreign religious leaders does not violate the First Amendment's Establishment Clause, especially since this government already supports monotheistic religions as evident in our daily lives.
I am a firm believer in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that creates a wall of separation between church and state. I do not believe that the government should endorse any particular religion, but we all know that this is not the case. As young kids we all pledged allegiance to the flag and recited the words "under God". On every dollar bill the phrase "in God we trust" appears. And after every speech made by many prominent government figures we hear the words "God Bless America". Does this nation truly have a separation between church and state? No.
Recently, the Pope came to visit the United States and met with President Bush to discuss foreign affairs. This has sparked a great deal of controversy. Many argue that the president and the Pope should not maintain a relationship that involves collaboration on global affairs.
Again, I believe in a separation of church and state, but if we are going to allow all of latter, why are we trying to prevent a positive relationship with a prominent global leader? I want our president to have great relations with all sorts of leaders, including religious ones. I do not want our president to be discouraged from establishing relationships with individuals because of their religious backgrounds. I want the President to discuss global affairs with the Dalai Lama or the Imam at a prominent mosque in an Islamic nation. I want our president to develop positive relationships with leaders from all religions, and that includes the Pope.
Fostering relationships with foreign religious leaders does not violate the First Amendment's Establishment Clause, especially since this government already supports monotheistic religions as evident in our daily lives.
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