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Separation of church and state
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Posted on Nov 03 2005
Has anyone been listening to political campaign music lately? If so, you may have heard the song Glory Hallelujah sung in Chamorro. If you are not aware of it, Glory Hallelujah is indeed a religious hymn.
Our Constitution states that the CNMI has a separation of religion and government. If that is the case, then why would a religious hymn be played in a political campaign organized by government officials and soon-to-become government officials. In my opinion, I think that our politicians are going against the CNMI Constitution, when they are supposed to be following it, just as they promised. This leaves them vulnerable to questioning yet none question this. Is this possibly because majority of the people in the CNMI have a Christian-based religion, so they think that it is OK to go against the CNMI Constitution and play a religious hymn?
Yes, I think that we can all agree that majority of the people in the CNMI have a Christian-based religion, and yes, democracy is rule by the majority. However the majority cannot rule over the laws and regulations already set in the CNMI Constitution.
Speaking as a Christian, I think that the politicians and campaigners can use any selection of music they please; however, they shouldn’t use a religious hymn in a political campaign just to gain the support of the Christian-based majority.
Anthony Rector
8th Grader
Saipan International School
