Separation of Church and State: A Western Ideal in Question

By Tom Marazzo, Captain (Ret’d) Canadian Army

The principle of the separation of Church and State is foundational to many Western democracies, including the United States and Canada. This separation is meant to prevent religious institutions from wielding undue influence over government policies and decisions, ensuring that laws are made based on secular governance principles. In the U.S., this is reinforced by the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which prohibits the government from making any law “respecting an establishment of religion.”

However, in practice, the separation of Church and State is often challenged by religious groups, particularly when it comes to key policy issues. Evangelical Christians, one of the most politically powerful religious groups in the United States, have consistently advocated for policies that align with their interpretation of biblical teachings, especially regarding support for Israel.

Evangelical Christian Support for Israel

Evangelical Christians, who represent around 60-80 million individuals in the U.S., have a profound influence on American politics due to their significant numbers and high voter turnout. Their support for Israel is largely driven by religious beliefs rooted in biblical prophecy. Many Evangelicals interpret the Bible as predicting the return of the Jewish people to their ancestral homeland as a prerequisite for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. This interpretation is a key factor behind the movement known as Christian Zionism.

Evangelical Christians believe that by supporting Israel, they are fulfilling God's will and ensuring that biblical prophecy comes to fruition. This theological perspective leads to unwavering support for Israel, regardless of its policies toward Palestinians or broader geopolitical concerns. This religious dynamic plays an outsized role in U.S. foreign policy, particularly in the Middle East.

Israel's Influence on U.S. Elections

The strong religious and political alignment between Evangelical Christians and Israel leads to a unique situation where Israel, through its deep ties with Evangelical groups, can influence U.S. elections indirectly. Politicians, particularly in the Republican Party, recognize that without the support of Evangelical voters, winning a presidential election is nearly impossible. Evangelicals have made support for Israel a litmus test for political candidates, especially within conservative circles. As a result, presidential candidates often emphasize their commitment to Israel to secure the Evangelical vote.

Political Implications of Evangelical Support for Israel

The relationship between U.S. politicians and Evangelicals, particularly their shared stance on Israel, raises important questions about the separation of Church and State. In a political system designed to be secular, candidates are nonetheless driven to cater to religious voters to secure electoral success. This blending of religious belief with political policy, especially regarding foreign relations, directly impacts U.S. foreign policy toward Israel.

Israel has benefited enormously from this political dynamic. For instance, the U.S. Embassy's move to Jerusalem in 2018, a move heavily supported by Evangelicals, was seen as a fulfillment of biblical prophecy and marked a major shift in U.S. policy that sparked international controversy. Israel’s continued receipt of $3.8 billion annually in U.S. military aid is another example of how religious and political motivations combine to secure unwavering U.S. support.

Israel’s Defiance of International Condemnation

This unwavering support from the U.S., especially from the White House, has emboldened Israel to routinely ignore international criticism and condemnation. Israel’s actions, particularly its policies toward Palestinians and the ongoing expansion of settlements in the West Bank, have drawn widespread condemnation from the United Nations, European Union, and numerous human rights organizations. However, despite repeated international calls for restraint or accountability, Israel often acts with impunity.

One of the reasons Israel feels confident in defying international pressure is because it knows it has the full backing of the United States, particularly in key institutions like the United Nations Security Council. The U.S. has used its veto power in the Security Council on multiple occasions to block resolutions critical of Israel, effectively shielding the country from significant international repercussions. Israel’s leadership, aware of this, has become more brazen in its actions, whether it’s expanding settlements, conducting military operations in Gaza, or taking hardline positions against Palestinian statehood.

Israel’s boldness on the world stage reflects its understanding that U.S. support is virtually guaranteed, regardless of changes in administration. The Evangelical Christian bloc, combined with strong support from Jewish-American groups, ensures that Israel remains a central issue in U.S. foreign policy, regardless of international outcry.

Foreign Interference by Religious Proxy?

The concept of foreign interference in elections has been a topic of heated debate, especially following the U.S. presidential election in 2016, where Russia was accused of meddling to influence the outcome. If we apply this same scrutiny to the role of Evangelical Christians in shaping U.S. foreign policy in favor of Israel, it raises the question: Is Israel exerting undue influence on U.S. elections via its close ties with Evangelical Christians?

While this relationship is not clandestine or covert, as was alleged in the case of Russia, it represents a form of self-imposed foreign interference on a significant scale. Through its religious and political lobbying, Israel indirectly influences U.S. policy and elections by leveraging the strong religious convictions of a powerful voting bloc. This relationship, bolstered by decades of religious and political lobbying by groups like Christians United for Israel (CUFI), ensures that U.S. politicians are bound to maintain a pro-Israel stance to secure Evangelical support.

This influence is far-reaching. As noted, in the case of Russia, alleged meddling was covert and focused on disinformation campaigns and manipulation of public opinion. In contrast, Israel’s influence via Evangelical Christians is more transparent but no less significant. By catering to a religious group with a specific interest in Israel, U.S. politicians are pressured to adopt foreign policies that align with the interests of another nation, often to the detriment of other considerations, such as peace negotiations with Palestinians.

Weaponizing the Term “Anti-Semitic” to Quash Criticism