Running head: THE ANALYSIS OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT 1

Maura Shaffer

English 1302

Professor Sabrina Vargas-Ortiz

April 16, 2017

The Analysis of the First Amendment

A social issue that has become relentlessly talked about in our country, is the ongoing

debate between whether to keep church and state separated or remain as is. The references to

God on money, in the Pledge of Allegiance, and on federal and national buildings are very

contradicting to some peoples beliefs because of the cultural diversity that America is made up

of. Although, these feelings are understandable. it is as a community that we need to establish a

deeper level of where are true right to freedom of religion came from and how it should be

honored. [I believe that we must keep all religious references within the states because this is the

foundation that America was built on and that we can solve this problem by creating awareness

through history books, news and billboards.]

The Pilgrims came to America for many reasons such as to explore, make money and live

on land of their own. However, the sole purpose that our Founding Fathers came to this great

nation was to spread and practice their religion freely and not how the monarchy in England

required them to do so. (1) In my opinion, we need to focus on the fact that it was still God they

wanted to worship. Additionally, what makes this topic debatable is that they left England

because our founders did not want to be religiously boxed in to Apostolic views but rather

wanted to proceed with the formation of the Protestant denomination and provide for their

families. Nonetheless, they fled England to resist punishment from the hierarchy and continued
Running head: THE ANALYSIS OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT 2

to worship God. It is the Pilgrims we can thank for having direct government involvement of

religion in the American landscape. (3)

Personally, I think it is necessary to keep church and state together not only because that

is how this country was formed, but more so as a respectful acknowledgement to the Founding

Fathers. One can wholeheartedly believe that this country should welcome immigrants and

cultural diversity. We can create unity and peace throughout all cultures that live in this great

country by positively guiding and informing them into what the true American landscape is

according to freedom of religion. This not to say that we should not give credit where credit is

due. Being that One nation under God conspires against other religions such as Hinduism,

Buddhism and Islam we, as the people, should think of these references as thanking our

Founding Fathers for risking their lives to start an innovative country where there are no

religious bounds. It is important to keep this out of the box thinking to prevent outbreaks of

discourse that are unnecessary. We, as Americans need to keep in mind why we are here, how we

got here, and who we can thank for our First Amendment right.

5,983,820 people voted that the government should not support the separation of church

and state by removing references to God on money, federal buildings and national monuments.

(2) Three percent of the seventy-five percent of people who voted claimed no because religion is

an important aspect of our countries history. Keeping in mind that sixty-three percent of the

voters who said no gave no reason as to why they believed that, it can be inferred that Americans

are aware of this issue and do logically believe, within themselves, that the people are giving the

respectful acknowledgement to the Founding Fathers that they deserve.

A way to solve this issue is simply to change the way in which one thinks and to keep a

positive outlook on the ways of the world even though they may cause stress. Additionally, this
Running head: THE ANALYSIS OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT 3

problem could really be solved by taking this issue to court and shutting the opposing down for

good through a law or take a more laid back, creative approach by simply creating awareness

through billboards, news and history books to continue to change one mind at a time. Looking at

the facts is one way to start. Most the population believes that there should not be a separation of

church and state. (2) For whatever reason it may be, there must be some truth to it if most people

support it. Another way we can solve this ongoing debate is leave the existing references to God

but not create anymore so it is fair for everyone. Most importantly I believe Americans should

read and educate yourself on this social issue and believe what is factual and true.

In conclusion, my argument is that our country offers freedom of religion however, it was

started by Christian fathers and Christianity should remain the center focus to commemorate

what our founding fathers liberated for us. It is not something that should be forced upon the

people but it should be respected as to honor the main reason for most people who migrated here.

I propose to solve this problem through creating awareness and endearing positive examples of

the importance of this issue through making it a prominent subject in history books, social media

and billboards.
Running head: THE ANALYSIS OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT 4

References

1. "The Pilgrims and Puritans Come to America." N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2017.
2. "Americas most popular voting guide for elections, political issues, candidates, and poll

data." ISideWith. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2017.

3. "First Amendment to the Constitution: Freedom of Religion." David J. Shestokas. N.p.,

n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2017.

4. Head, T. (n.d.). Arguments Against Separation of Church and State and How to Rebut Them.

Retrieved April 12, 2017, from https://www.thoughtco.com/arguments-against-separation-church-

and-state-721634
5. Church and State: The Separation Illusion. (n.d.). Retrieved April 12, 2017, from

https://www.str.org/articles/church-and-state-the-separation-illusion#.WO62eIjytPY
6. Top 5 myths of separation of church and state. (n.d.). Retrieved April 12, 2017, from

http://bjconline.org/top-5-myths-of-separation-of-church-and-state/
7. Cause for Concern (Church/State). (2008, August 08). Retrieved April 12, 2017, from

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/socialissues/religious-freedom/separation-of-church-and-

state/separation-of-church-and-state-cause-for-concern
8. The Case Against Separating Church and State. (2016, January 19). Retrieved April 12, 2017,

from https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2016-01-19/the-case-against-separating-church-and-

state
9. (n.d.). Retrieved April 12, 2017, from http://christianfaithinamerica.com/culture-war/separation-of-

church-and-state-historical-fact-or-myth/
10. Separation of church and state in the United States. (2017, April 06). Retrieved April 12, 2017,

from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_church_and_state_in_the_United_States