‘Democracy and Theocracy’ Topic of League of Women Voters Meeting

provided to The Santiva Chronicle

The League of Women Voters of Sanibel will hold a panel discussion on “Democracy and Theocracy: What our First Amendment Intended,” at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 17 at the Sanibel Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.

Moderated by President of the Sanibel League Cathie Kozik, the panel will include Rabbi Sunny Schnitzer of Sanibel’s Bat Yam Temple of the Islands, Reverend Dr. John Danner formerly Pastor of the Sanibel Congregation United Church of Christ, and Professor and Constitutional Laywer Jane Picker.

Citizens of this country may think the separation between church and state is enshrined in the Constitution, but in the last few years, that separation seems to be getting smaller. Examples include the most recent ruling in Alabama on In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), potential legislation in Florida that would define conception as the start of life, and other Florida legislation calling for “chaplains” in public schools to tend to the spiritual needs of students.

Is this what the Founding Fathers of the Constitution intended?

Does the Constitution require complete separation of Church and State, or merely the benign “non-intervention” in the practice of religion?

The League intends for this program to be a lively panel discussion between a Rabbi, a Pastor, and a Constitutional Lawyer, leaving those who attend more informed about where democracy in our nation is headed and about resources that can further help educate our community. All are invited to attend and to come with questions.

The April program will be the last program of the 2023-2024 season for the Sanibel League of Women Voters and will include its annual meeting. The League of Women Voters of Sanibel and the U.S. will continue to provide important information and education on all candidates and their platforms as we head into the Nov. 5 General Election.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization that has fought since 1920 to improve our systems of government and impact public policies through citizen education and advocacy. The League’s enduring vitality and resonance comes from its unique decentralized structure. The League is a grassroots organization, working at the national, state and local levels.