Separation of Church and State

[TikiTokiguy]

When I was going to the LDS church the ward i went to had a picture of Mitt Romney on the bulletin board in the hallway. It was a picture of him standing on a ski slope (probably in Utah of course) with some other person standing beside him, probably a member of the ward.

Since Mittens is a politician who is going to run for president again, is this a violation of church and state? He was in winter clothing (ski clothing) and not dressed in a suit. Still, isn’t this a strong message to vote for Mitt? Why is there not a picture of President Obama? I wonder, if I put a picture of the President next to this picture of Mitt Romney, would they take it down?

Is this a violation of church and state? Should that ward have it’s tax except status taken away?

 

[JonNC]

When I was going to the LDS church the ward i went to had a picture of Mitt Romney on the bulletin board in the hallway. It was a picture of him standing on a ski slope (probably in Utah of course) with some other person standing beside him, probably a member of the ward.

Since Mittens is a politician who is going to run for president again, is this a violation of church and state? He was in winter clothing (ski clothing) and not dressed in a suit. Still, isn’t this a strong message to vote for Mitt? Why is there not a picture of President Obama? I wonder, if I put a picture of the President next to this picture of Mitt Romney, would they take it down?

Is this a violation of church and state? Should that ward have it’s tax except status taken away?

The first amendement makes no mention of “separation of church and state”. It restricts the central government in 2 ways:

1. it prohibits the establishment of a state church
2. it prohibits the congress from limiting individual free exercise of religion.

Having a picture of Mitt Romney, a Mormon, on a bulletin board in no way establishes a state church. Gov. Romney has every right to be a member of the LDS, and the LDS has every right to post a picture of anyone, particularly a well-known member. I can’t see how this event violates the constitution, particularly since neither Gov. Romney nor the LDS Church has the power to violate the constitution in this manner.

Politicians regularly make apperarances and give speeches at churches. One would have a stronger case - not saying much - that this puts tax exempt status in jeopardy than simply having a picture on a bulletin board.

Jon