Separation of church and state is under attack by the GOP

“The man who counts on the aid of a god deserves the help he doesn’t get.” – Glen Cook

The attack on separation of church and state is being led by Republicans in the highest offices of our state and nation who swore to uphold that separation.  But the Constitution and law don’t seem to apply to these GOP proselytizers as they attempt to stuff their religion down our throats. 

A great example happened here in Montana last week.  Trump, who has broken nearly every one of the Ten Commandments, declared May 17 a Day of Prayer on the National Mall.  Of course he’s chasing Christian votes during a mid-term election year that looks disastrous for the MAGA movement, so he’ll do or say anything to retain his hold on power while continuing to grift a fortune by hook or by crook. 

Due to Trump’s disastrous environmental policies and refutation of the climate crisis, most of the West had a no-snowpack winter, leaving much of Montana in drought conditions.  In handy coordination with Trump’s day of prayer, Montana’s Gov. Greg Gianforte, a devout Christian, notes the weather forecast — which has been out for a week predicting rain and snow — and declares his own Day of Prayer for Rain.  

Very handy the way that works for religious prestidigitators, take something that’s almost certain to happen — since May and June are historically “wet months” in Montana — and then, when it rains, claim their particular deity has answered their prayers. 

Here’s what the governor actually had to say: “Our founding fathers, George Washington in particular, recognized the sovereignty of Almighty God in some of his quotes. And I personally can’t do anything about the weather, but our farmers and the forest needed moisture, and that’s why I called for a Day of Prayer for Rain, and I’m thankful that He answered.”

He said that Wednesday in Kalispell, which has received rain every day since May 16.  Worth noting, it started raining the day before the prayers went out. 

The governor has the right to believe whatever he wants when it comes to religion. That’s guaranteed by the First Amendment in the Constitution the GOP is intent on demolishing.  But when it comes to governance, what Gianforte had to say was stunning: “Prayer is the most powerful tool we have.”

There you have it.  No need to face the reality that our average temperatures continue their inexorable upward climb.  No need for water conservation plans or employing the real tools at the government’s disposal to mitigate the impacts of severe drought.  Nope. “Prayer is the most powerful tool we have” says the gov — a clear dereliction of duty.

Gianforte claims George Washington “recognized the sovereignty of Almighty God in some of his quotes.” But in 1802 Washington’s fellow Founder, Thomas Jefferson, wrote: “The whole American people declared that their legislature should ‘make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,’ thus building a wall between church and State.” 

That was backed up a century and a half later by Supreme Court Justice Hugo L. Black, who wrote in the Everson v. Board of Education (1947) decision: “[t]he First Amendment has erected a wall between church and state. That wall must be kept high and impregnable. We could not approve the slightest breach.”

Make no mistake, at this juncture our solemn duty is to ensure “that wall be kept high and impregnable” — and reject attempts by any public officials who seek to destroy it.