written by Rev. Dr. Vernon Meyer, Pastor Sun Lakes United Church of Christ

Since the early days of the founding of our country we had held to the principle that the Federal government has no authority to establish or support a particular religion over another.

This principle came from the negative experiences the founding fathers had with the way governments used religion to oppress and enslave the free aspirations of people. The history of our country though suggests that white Protestantism has had a privileged position that has shaped government policy to the exclusion of many other people of faith (eg. Roman Catholics).

Even the election of John F. Kennedy as the first Roman Catholic president was threatened by the power of white Protestant Evangelical Christians. In the last number of years as government policy has include abortion, marriage equality and an increasing openness to immigrants from Islamic and non-Christian countries, various so called Religious Freedom laws have been passed by the US Congress and state Legislatures that seem to reverse the openness and inclusivity of recent years.

Pastor Vernon will present the background and history of the Separation Clause of the First Amendment to the US Constitution and how it affects our understanding of Religious Freedom in the United States today. The presentation will be followed by cookies and Ice cream and free will offerings will be accepted.

Sun Lakes United Church of Christ
Saturday, July 8, 2017 • 6:00-7:30pm
Ceramics Room A-8, Cottonwood Recreational Center
25630 S. Brentwood Blvd, Sun Lakes, AZ 85248

For more information call, Pastor Vernon Meyer, Sun Lakes United Church of Christ, 480-895-6317.