Christian Nationalism and the Texas Public Sphere

David Brockman, non-resident scholar in religion and publicy policy, Baker Institute, Rice University; adjunct professor, Texas Christian University; Mark A. Chancey, professor of religious studies, Southern Methodist University; Amanda Tyler, executive director, Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty; Robert Downen, senior writer, Texas Monthly; moderated by Jack Jenkins, national reporter, Religion News Service.
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12:15 Thomas Jefferson’s “wall of separation”, which he alluded to in a letter to the Danbury Baptist, was a direct reference to the first amendment, nothing more. This is what Jefferson wrote:

“I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, " thus building a wall of separation between Church & State.”

The wall of separation is a prohibition on government, not the church. It protects citizens from an imposed state religion, and restricts the state from prohibiting religious expression. This protection of religion is our first right established in the Bill of Rights. Coincidentally it’s Jefferson who explains why governments are instituted in a document he wrote called the Declaration of Independence:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed”

Jefferson’s offers us a profound explanation regarding man’s relationship with government in regards to rights. He explains that our rights come from God, and that governments are Instituted, not to grant rights, rather to secure those rights which come from the Creator! Not only do governments lack the authority to grant rights, but their power is limited by those whose rights they secure! The Bill of Rights was established to secure rights which come from God. Since our constitution was established to preserve God given rights, then how do those who deny such a relationship exist square this connection made by Jefferson? To contrast under communism you will find the exact opposite to be true. Under communism its the State who grants rights, limits freedom, and establishes truth.