I have heard the ACLU and lots of people yell "separation of church and state" for various reasons over the years, but I can't seem to be able to find it in the Constitution of the United States... Can anyone point out where it is in the Constitution?
2006-10-10 03:08:49 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The phrase 'separation of church and state' does not appear anywhere in the Constitution. It is derived from the 'establishment' clause of the First Amendment. However, the founding fathers only intended that no national church be established (like the Church of England) so that all recognized religious sects could practice in peace.
The idea that there can't be prayer or religious clubs in schools, holiday displays on public property or crosses on city seals or at war memorials is a gross distortion of both the wording of the clause and its intent.
Idiots have coerced city leaders in Los Angeles to remove the cross from the city seal (the city was founded by catholic missionaries), courts have ordered the cross on Mt. Soledad (a war memorial) do be removed....What's next? Will a court force Corpus Christi (lit. Body of Christ) Texas, or any city named after a saint to change their names? This is total madness.
BTW: I am NOT a Christian, nor do I want to be.
2006-10-10 03:35:55 · answer #1 · answered by mzJakes 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not in there. The Separation of Church and State was written in a letter to the President long ago by a congressman.
The Constitution says Congress will make NO Law regarding the
free expression of religion. Which is exactly what it's doing.
The Constitution was suppposed to keep any church from imposing one belief on people using the power of the State,
police, military. But now the State is imposing on the Church!
2006-10-10 10:28:17 · answer #2 · answered by zenbuddhamaster 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I see that "SPOOKY" answered correctly. The greatest confustion comes from the incorrect intreptation that the establishment of the church and the state should be completely seperate without interaction. However, this was not the intent when our founding father's wrote the constitution and amendments. Our founding fathers originally sought to escape the tyrany of England's government with regards to religion and did not want a governmental influence on how to worship. Over the past years, this separation has been perverted and misintrepted that there should not be any religion within any governmental establishment rather than keeping the government out of the church. The church was never meant to be taken out of our government. nearly every founding document for our country and states have a reference to an Almighty God.
it is unfortunate that as of late we have some right wing minority groups that are seeking to remove the principles that this country was founded on.
We wonder why our country is in such termoil. it is becaused we are removing our foundation. no structure can stand without a firm foundation.
2006-10-10 10:20:42 · answer #3 · answered by Shamus 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jefferson explained the connection in his letter to the Danbury Baptists. It was also clarified in Madison's "Remonstrance and Memorial". I agree that it would have been better if they said it more plainly in the Constitution. However, it is well-documented that this is what they intended when they put in that government shall not establish laws concerning religion.
Unfortunately, there is a Dominionist movement afoot these days that is trying to tear down that freedom in the Constitution. People don't realize that if a religion is promoted by government, it is probably not their religion. If it weren't for the First Amendment, we would all have to be paying members of the Church of England, or some other church of the day, whichever won over the others.
The first amendment prevents the mob rule that would otherwise be in effect. It gives everybody the right to participate or not participate in any religion without it making them a second-class citizen.
2006-10-10 10:11:43 · answer #4 · answered by nondescript 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Constitution is for the state not for the church. There should be no statement regarding the church.
2006-10-10 10:19:26 · answer #5 · answered by imamulleith 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the consitution we have the right to freedom of religion, and to assemble together. There is nothing about separtaion between church and state in the constitution.
2006-10-10 10:11:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
2006-10-10 10:10:35 · answer #7 · answered by . 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Don't know where it is in the Constitution...but read the 12 chapter of Mark...Render therefore unto Caesar.... The things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are His...Verses 12-17
2006-10-10 12:32:18 · answer #8 · answered by appleblossom_1957 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
like others have said it is in the first amendment and is considered important as everyone should have the freedom to worship or not as they want to because all have free will. no state should be able to dictate who, what, when, where, or why an individual should practice religion in any way shape or form as these are rights guaranteed to the individual person.
2006-10-10 10:16:15 · answer #9 · answered by Marvin R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's in the Treaty of Tripetta, and Freedom of Religion is a First Amendment right.
2006-10-10 10:10:48 · answer #10 · answered by fiveshiftone 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋