A Time for Everything: Ecclesiastes, Noise Ordinances & the Separation of Church and State

From the book of Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3: 1-8

A season is set for everything, a time for every experience under heaven:

A time for birthing and a time for dying,

A time for planting and a time for uprooting the planted;

A time for slaying and a time for healing,

A time for tearing down and a time for building up;

A time for weeping and a time for laughing,

A time for wailing and a time for dancing;

A time for throwing stones and a time for gathering stones,

A time for embracing and a time for shunning embraces;

A time for seeking and a time for losing,

A time for keeping and a time for discarding;

A time for ripping and a time for sewing,

A time for silence and a time for speaking;

A time for loving and a time for hating;

A time for war and a time for peace.

Many people are familiar with this Biblical passage. It’s often read at funerals to give comfort to the mourners left behind. But, it can also be read with a more mundane and practical lens - there are specific times meant for specific things. 

We hear often from proponents of taking children out of public schools for religious education during public school hours, that it’s necessary to do it during school. ‘There’s just no other viable time,’ they say. 

To which we advocates of public secular education insist: no, there is a time and place for religious education and it’s not during public school hours. Secular public school hours should be dedicated to secular education, just like God and the law suggests. 

Most towns and cities have noise ordinances, which are time-limited. We can make as much noise as we like in our yards and in our homes between certain times of the day. We can mow our lawns, make firewood using chainsaws, work on muscle cars, and have loud boisterous get-togethers, all while blaring our music. Might it annoy our neighbors? Quite possibly. But, if we’re within the lawfully-permitted hours of daylight, we’re allowed to do so. Once the hour reaches the limit of the ordinance, however, all that noise should stop. We must look after our neighbors’ health and well-being. 

The Environmental Protection Agency established The Noise Control Act of 1972, to “promote an environment for all Americans free from noise that jeopardizes their health and welfare.” Several studies (as directed by Congress) since then have shown the adverse effects of noise pollution on physical and mental health, sleep, and overall quality of life. Our cities and towns have taken these findings seriously and have created noise ordinances to help address the effects of noise on the health and well-being of all their citizens. 

The doctrine of the Separation of Church & State should be taken no less seriously. It is hardly controversial, nor inaccurate, to state that the government must not promote or establish one religion over any others. Freedom of religion is a guaranteed right in this country, but so is freedom from religion. And we are certainly not suggesting that families abandon their religions and beliefs, or non-religious beliefs, if they so choose. 

But, there is a time and place for religious organizations to educate children. Religious organizations have long-established programs which educate children both before and after school hours, which we applaud and support. These religious organizations which both educate children and support families by providing before and after school care, should be commended! Still other religious organizations are safe spaces for teens before and after school through education and youth groups. And still more which offer education on weekends, creating community and connection for children and their parents alike. We find religious organizations like these to ethically and morally exemplify the necessary time-limitations of Ecclesiastes 3:7, “A time for silence and a time for speaking.”  

And, we will not be silent in demanding the protection of the health and well-being of all children in public school, not just a select few.