Are we paying attention to The Wall?  It seems that now, when we dutifully pay our taxes, we are truly supporting “God and Country.”  Each of us pays for church repairs, “school choice” (Torah lessons and Bible studies, Islamic and Buddhist instruction), televangelism, “pro-life” outreach, anti-Lesbian/Gay programs, and the preachers’ salary to boot.  If you don’t believe me, you’re not paying attention to The Wall.

Do you remember?  There was once something called the “Wall of Separation” that protected our right to practice any religion we choose, or none at all.  Once upon a time, there was a wall that guaranteed that there would never be an “establishment of religion,” that each American would not have to support any religious ideology or institution.

And there were once defenders of that Wall, even in the government.

We now see that the “Wall” is full of holes, a hologram, or an unholy joke.

Small Business Administration gives billions to churches

Secretary of State supports Christian Nationalism

A “President” who violently clears the street to hold up a Bible for a photo-op

And we watch the wall come a tumblin’ down.

What can we do?  Stay informed.  Speak up.  Support those who truly Defend the Wall.

And take to heart what Thoreau wrote in “Civil Disobedience” (1849):

“Some years ago, the State met me in behalf of the Church, and commanded me to pay a certain sum toward the support of a clergyman whose preaching my father attended, but never I myself … .  I did not see why the schoolmaster should be taxed to support the priest, and not the priest the schoolmaster … .

‘I Henry Thoreau, do not wish to be regarded as a member of any incorporated society which I have not joined.’ “