Many people in our society today like to reference the concept of "separation of Church and State" when arguing against religious expression by government officials, at government ceremonies, etc. They do so by claiming that one finds this concept in the Constitution, specifically the First Amendment. In reality, this concept is found in no official document related to the founding of our nation. What the First Amendment states on the matter is "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof".
Allow me to put this in context for you: many of the early inhabitants of the Thirteen Colonies had come to the West seeking freedom of religion (fleeing the religious persecution of Europe). Thus, our Founders wanted to ensure that such a scenario would never come to pass in this nation. The law was designed to keep the State out of the Church, not the other way around. The actual phrase "separation of Church and State" came from a letter written by Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptist association in which he
assured them that the government would not interfere with their ability
to practice their beliefs.
It's rather ironic that, whenever this phrase is used today, it is precisely with the intent of "prohibiting the free exercise" of religion.
Just a quick little lesson on this Constitution that we're all sworn to uphold and defend.
Allow me to put this in context for you: many of the early inhabitants of the Thirteen Colonies had come to the West seeking freedom of religion (fleeing the religious persecution of Europe). Thus, our Founders wanted to ensure that such a scenario would never come to pass in this nation. The law was designed to keep the State out of the Church, not the other way around. The actual phrase "separation of Church and State" came from a letter written by Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptist association in which he
assured them that the government would not interfere with their ability
to practice their beliefs.
It's rather ironic that, whenever this phrase is used today, it is precisely with the intent of "prohibiting the free exercise" of religion.
Just a quick little lesson on this Constitution that we're all sworn to uphold and defend.
Posted in these groups: 
Constitution
Religion
Constitution Religion
Posted >1 y ago
This is a duplicate discussion and the contents have been merged with the original discussion. Click below to see more on this topic...
Is seperation of church and state still an important national policy? How is it actually being followed? What are the threats to it? Is church too involved in politics? Or is the government too involved in churches? What is the benefit of seperation of church and state? What is not good about it?
As for me, I think it is a good thing. I don't want my government telling me how or who to worship or pray to. At the same time, I don't want my church telling me how to vote or dictating to non-church members how to live their lives. I believe that if a person is coerced to practice religion or a belief system through government policy, it damages the authenticity of the religion. Where are you on this issue?
As for me, I think it is a good thing. I don't want my government telling me how or who to worship or pray to. At the same time, I don't want my church telling me how to vote or dictating to non-church members how to live their lives. I believe that if a person is coerced to practice religion or a belief system through government policy, it damages the authenticity of the religion. Where are you on this issue?
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