"churchstate" mania?

Question

hello everyone,plz explain what's witten in red:Some argue that the separation of "churchstate" mania among an alrarmed few has pulled the heart and love out of the secular world altogether.what does this sentence mean?

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

It's hard to know without more context.

One of the main principles of the U.S. government and of many others in the West is the principle of the separation of church and state, that is, the government is not permitted to pass any laws about religion. This is to guarantee that people can freely practice whatever religion they wish, or none at all. There is no such thing as a state religion under this kind of system.

"churchstate" mania may be a reference either to those who want to change this rule or to those who are concerned that the rule is being changed or will be changed. In any case, the word mania suggests a crazed and hysterical attitude about the subject.

To talk of the separation of this mania makes no sense, however. I can't see what the separation of a mania might be.

CJ

Khoff · Answer

Is this something that you heard, rather than read? It's not a very well-composed sentence, but I think it is probably referring to a mania, or obsession, with "the separation of church and state." The "separation of church and state" is one of the basic principles of the United States -- that is, religion and government are separate; there is no official state religion as there is in some countries. The author is suggesting that an obsession or mania (among an "alarmed few," not "alrarmed") with keeping religion separate from government has "pulled the heart and love out of the secular world" by not wanting the government to express or endorse anything that might be considered religious.

An example of concern (in this example, I would not say mania or obsession because I tend to agree) with "separation of church and state" would be the opinion that the Pledge of Allegiance should not refer to the U.S. as "one country, under G-d"; or, as long as it continues to contain those words, the government should not require anyone to recite it (for example, in public schools).

In short, it's not "separation of (churchstate-mania)" but rather "(separation of church/state)-mania." At least this is my guess, assuming that the quote refers to the United States.

Khoff · Answer

Hey, Jim, I see we were writing at the same time.   Do you like my interpretation?

Marius Hancu · Answer

Should be written:

the separation of church and state mania
or
the separation-of-church-and-state mania

Vorpar · Answer

I would use the phrase "non-establishment mania".

Khoff · Answer

I would use the phrase "non-establishment mania".

Vorpar, I disagree. Even though I had been thinking about "separation of church and state," it took me a while to figure out that you were referring to the wording in the Constitution that says, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion..." , which is sometimes referred to as "the Establishment clause." When I read your phrase "non-establishment mania," the first meaning that came to mind was "anti-establishment." I don't think "non-establishment mania" would be very clear.

(In any case, we should bear in mind that the original poster was not asking how to best express this idea -- she was just trying to understand a given quote. I think there's a certain usefulness in trying to figure out how the original might have been more clearly worded, or more accurately transcribed, but let's remember that she was just trying to understand it, not compose it.)

CalifJim · Answer

Do you like my interpretation?

Yes. It's lovely.

CJ

Darene · Answer

I'll type the whole paragraph and I hope that you'll help me understand the core of the meaning, details are welcomed but first I need to understand the idea.

it is taken from a book that i'm translating and yes the author is American.

here's the paragraph:

For over two hundred years, we have built a society and institutions that reinforce the brain-centric focus. Any attention to "empathy, compassion, gentleness and love" has been relegated to a "second class" status of emothions and subjectivity or limited to the realm of churches, mosques and synagogues. Some argue that the separation of "churchstate" mania among an alarmed few has pulled the heart and love out of the secular world altogether. Indeed, the separation of church & state mania has pulled the heart and love out of the secular domain. Recently in a conference, a school administrator said: "Yes, those are the feely-touchy things that get in the way of the bottom line results of learning."

BarbaraPA · Answer

Khoff The author is suggesting that an obsession or mania (among an "alarmed few," not "alrarmed") with keeping religion separate from government has "pulled the heart and love out of the secular world" by not wanting the government to express or endorse anything that might be considered religious.

I think Khoff already gave it to you. Some people are afraid that any sign of humanity would be equated to religion, and since the goverment can't act as, or endorse, a religion, the goverment's institutions can't show kindness and compassion.

(By the way, I think it's bunk.)

Darene · Answer

thanks for everyone who has participated in answering my question.

"churchstate" mania?

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