Even though the phrase, “separation of church and state,” comes from this letter and is not written in the Constitution, many understand the concept to be rooted in the Constitution’s First Amendment, which Jefferson quoted in part. The First Amendment begins, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
Boebert’s talk was similar to others she has given recently in church settings in Colorado. Last Sunday was not the first time the congresswoman told her audience that the church should direct the government, rather than the other way around, as she urged believers to put their faith into political action.
During her talk, Boebert celebrated the Supreme Court’s ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade and gave credit to former President Donald Trump, saying that God called him to that role and that “he was anointed for that position.”
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Boebert framed COVID-19 lockdown restrictions as being in direct opposition to God’s commands for his people to assemble together, quoting Hebrews 10:25 and referencing Acts 1:4. She blamed the American church for not taking a stand against the government, thereby perpetuating what she sees as egregious overreach..
But the United States was not created to have its liberties restricted, said Boebert. “I believe that there are two nations that have been created to glorify God. Israel, whom we bless, and the United States of America. And this nation will glorify God.”
As Esther was willing to risk her life and break the law for the sake of God’s people, Boebert exhorted her listeners to follow God’s commands, even when doing so means defying government regulations. “This isn’t about Republican and Democrat,” she said. “This is about good and evil. This is about right and wrong.”
“We have a country to save,” said Boebert, “and God is using us to do it.”
ChurchLeaders reached out to Lauren Boebert and Cornerstone Christian Center for comment. Cornerstone Christian Center’s senior pastor Jim Tarr responded with a lengthy statement, which is quoted here in part. “Concerning the separation of Church and State,” said Tarr, “Lauren Boebert was accurate in the misrepresentation of its historical meaning. It has been replaced with, to use her word, ‘junk’ interpretation. Most people believe that the wall of separation is in the Constitution. It is not. The man who wrote the phrase, Thomas Jefferson, wasn’t even a signer of the Constitution.”
