Separation Between Church & State
The phrase “wall of separation between Church & State” was originally penned by Thomas Jefferson in 1802. The metaphor of a wall of separation is often used to understand the Establishment Clause of First Amendment to the United States Constitution:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”
“Total and Complete Shutdown of Muslims Entering the United States”
Donald Trump’s executive order banning Muslims from entering the country has sparked outrage with the public and made waves within the government.
The American Civil Liberties Union is currently preparing to take Trump to court for his alleged violation of the Establishment Clause. Here are some highlights of the evidence that supports their case:
Christians in the Middle-East have been executed in large numbers. We cannot allow this horror to continue!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 29, 2017
- The executive order contains a loophole that exempts Christians from the ban.
- Trump tweeted about saving Christians and said Christians would get priority over other religions.
- The Trump campaign website called for a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States”.
- Trump promised to close the gap between church & state in a speech to evangelical leaders.
- Trump vowed to “keep radical Islamic terrorists out of the United States of America.” He specifically called out Islamic terrorists, not just terrorists in general.
- Trump said he “would certainly implement” a database for which Muslims would be legally required to register.
Historical Restrictions On Groups Of Immigrants & Refugees
Trump’s Muslim Ban is quite unlike the historical “bans” to which many on social media are comparing it:
- Jimmy Carter’s Ban of Iranian Nationals (Iran was taking military action against the United States during the time)
- Obama’s Suspension of Iraqi Visas (Obama did NOT ban Iraqi refugees from entering the country during the time)
- FDR’s reluctance to accept Jewish refugees during the Holocaust (it was not an outright ban of Jews)
- The Chinese Exclusion Act which banned immigration of Chinese laborers (nonlaborers were allowed)
- The Anarchist Exclusion Act made it possible to deport suspected immigrant anarchists and political extremists.
- The Internal Security Act made it possible to deport suspected immigrant communists. President Truman vetoed the bill, calling it a “mockery of the Bill of Rights.” The House overruled the veto.
- Ronald Reagan’s ban on entry to the U.S. by H.I.V. positive people
- George W. Bush’s ban on Haitian immigrants coming by boat (Bush claimed it was intended to prevent a human tragedy at sea)
None of these banned an entire religious group from entry into the U.S. like Trump’s Muslim Ban.
It’s Un-American To Bar Entry Based On Religion
“It is the sense of the Senate that the United States must not bar individuals from entering into the United States based on their religion, as such action would be contrary to the fundamental principles on which this Nation was founded,” —Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont
Even Mike Pence agreed that it’s unconstitutional (at least back in 2015 before he sold his soul to the devil to be VP).
Calls to ban Muslims from entering the U.S. are offensive and unconstitutional.
— Governor Mike Pence (@GovPenceIN) December 8, 2015
Featured image from YouTube video.
