Walther: Freedom of Religion in USA — 1867; now, “It's not a war”?

      Freedom of Religion is certainly a hot topic today, but it was also in 1867, in Walther's day.  Walther commented on the situation at that time, and the extreme importance of this freedom for Christians (Der Lutheraner vol. 23, Feb. 1, 1867, p. 85-86; translation by BTL):

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Religion and the State. We have just read in a newspaper that the Supreme Federal Court has declared the notorious test oath to be unconstitutional and therefore null and void, which, for example, preachers in Missouri had to swear before they were allowed to administer their office in this state. At the same time, however, the Supreme Court declared that the Constitution forbids the Congress, but not the individual states, to limit religious freedom, or even to introduce a state religion. This is indeed a sad message. Up to now we have held the institutions of the state so high, above all, because we thought that through them, at least as long as they existed, religious freedom was secured. If, however, the individual states can abrogate this freedom without violating the Constitution, then it is in no less danger here than it is in Europe. With such prospects, even America ceases to be the last refuge, safe from man, of those persecuted for religion in all other countries, for which our United States has hitherto been regarded. If there is any point for which the immigrant Christians here should pray diligently and earnestly for this their new fatherland, it is therefore the preservation of the priceless jewel of religious liberty. Let this be said to you, Christians! The benefit of religious freedom has been abused horribly enough, both by the enemies of religion and by hopeless sectarians, and even Christians have not recognized it gratefully enough and have not used it faithfully enough, so it can easily happen that the just God will take away the shamefully abused and unrecognized benefit from us again, if we do not make ourselves a wall against his wrathful judgments through penitent prayer and correction. W. [Walther]

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      Walther points out what made America so great among the nations – Freedom of Religion.  Wernher von Braun came to America, in part, because he thought Americans were “people who followed the Bible”. The socialists and media would tear this country apart by whatever means at their disposal.  But the ideal of “Freedom of Religion” was equated with the United States of America, and other countries were pressured to at least appear to have some measure of the same.  Walther's comments show that this Freedom, more than any other freedom in America, has always been under attack.  But the forces against this freedom would appear now to be overwhelming in this country – so much so that it would appear that the States which are minded to maintain this freedom may have to consider joining forces and leave the Union.  What is more important than socialist democracy?  

Freedom of Religion.

      In an earlier blurb in 1866 in the same volume of Der Lutheraner, p. 13, Walther commented on a Southern state and its new constitution, apparently following the Civil War:

Religion and State. In the South, it seems that here and there the atheists and naturalists, even the Jews, are regarded as dangerous to the state and therefore want to keep them away as much as possible. At least the new constitution of North Carolina, which was adopted by popular vote at the beginning of August, stipulates that no one who denies the existence of God or the divine prestige of the Old and New Testaments may hold office. Since atheists and naturalists, as a rule, consider communism to be the goal of all earthly welfare, it is hardly to be blamed on a state, which has hitherto been held only by those who profess the Christian religion, if it takes such precautions. W. [Walther]

One may learn of today's media outrage over the fact that several states still have this law on the books by searching this topic in Google search. One media outlet wants to claim, on the war against religion, that “its not a war.” [2021-02-26: fixed link] Of course that is an obvious untruth because of its own non-stop attacks against the only true Religion, Christianity.