Separation of Church and State

I very seldom delve into political matters because I hate the contentious spirit that can creep into a political conversation. People usually have their own opinions about things and very seldom will strive to understand another person's views. I can't allow myself to take a back seat this time around. There is so much being said about the church that I belong to (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) in reference to the recent Proposition 8 passing in California. The church took a stand on this issue and worked very hard to spread the word and encourage people to vote for the state constitution to define marriage as a union between one woman and one man. Many people are outraged because the church had so much involvement in spreading the word. I recently read somewhere that in some people's opinions the church has violated laws in relation to separation of church and state.

This is an issue that is often misunderstood. So many people, politicians and lawmakers included, don't understand where or why this idea was introduced into our country. This idea was implemented to protect religion from government, not the other way around.

"Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church & State." - Thomas Jefferson

I just wanted to point this out because I know that what the church did was not unlawful. No one in our church forced people to vote in favor of Prop.8. What is being said about the church is wrong, and has made me feel the need to say something on this matter. We are a church made up of people who have their freedom to choose and to speak what we believe. That is not illegal, and I hope it never will be.