Is the “separation of church and state” in the U.S. Constitution intended so the government would not interfere with the church or so the church would not interfere with the government?
2006-12-20 12:36:32 · 13 answers · asked by ThinkaboutThis 6 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
It looks as if most of the answerers sided on keeping the church out of the state, or government. I you were to do your research, you would find that the authors of the bill of rights and the constitution always wrote what amounted to opinion papers or thesis on the reasons for and the intention of each of the articles of these documents. In almost all of the supporting writings on the first amendment the deciding factor on separation of church and state was to keep government out of religion. Sorry, folks, those are the facts whether you liberals like them or not. This is not to say that the men that wrote these documents did not voice a strong concern for keeping religion out of gov., just that if you know your history you would know that a great number of them left England, willingly or not, to escape persecution for practicing the religion of their choice. Also, it would do everyone good to remember that England had been a land where historically religion and state government were tied quite closely together, which is a part of why there was so much religious persecution in the first place, therefor the reason the founding fathers also had an interest in keeping church out of govt.
2006-12-20 12:52:36 · answer #1 · answered by avatar2068 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
As I'm sure someone will quickly be along to point out (as they seem rather touchy with this subject), Separation of Church and State is not actually in the Constitution. At least it's not worded precisely that way so, yes, technically they'll be correct.
The Supreme Court has ruled on this and they support that it was the intent of the First Amendment that Church and State be separate. Being the highest court we have, what they say goes.
Having said that, it's there to protect both the Church from being bullied or persecuted by the State, and to protect the State from being melded with the Church and creating a theocracy.
EDIT: perfect american is correct. The phrase itself was taken from a letter Thomas Jefferson wrote to a group called the Danbury Baptists.
2006-12-20 12:40:53 · answer #2 · answered by Digital Haruspex 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The constitution does not have a separation clause in it. But the reason behind the freedom of religion is because of what was going on in the world at the time. Remember, in 1776 it depended on which monarch took the crown as to whether you and your family would be herded out into the street and shot. The first amendment is there to make sure that the government cannot tell you what religion you will be so basically to keep the governement out of religion.
2006-12-20 12:46:07 · answer #3 · answered by JFra472449 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is not stated in the Constitution, only implied. It is a principle of our nation that has been held up since 1947, time and time again, by the USSC. It works both ways, that's the only way it can work. Get ready for a bunch of stupid lectures about how there is no separation of church and state. If it's not in black and white, some people just can't grasp it.
2006-12-20 13:01:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is for both reasons.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.
It is in black and white but you would have to look up Supreme court rulings on the subject and see how they came to the conclusion that religion should be separate from Govt.
2006-12-20 12:57:35 · answer #5 · answered by Gettin_by 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There isn't a specific provision of "no church and state". The first amendment guarantees that Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of a religion. In other words, religion is not to influence the way government runs things. It's meant to keep radical fundamentalists(i.e. Taliban-esque evangelicals) from taking over and turning our Republic into a theocratic dictatorship.
2006-12-20 12:39:24 · answer #6 · answered by eatmorec11h17no3 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Both. The First Amendment states that the government cannot establish a religion or prohibit the free exercise thereof.
First Amendment says:
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.
2006-12-20 12:44:39 · answer #7 · answered by j 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A. and there is no "separation of church and state" in the US constitution.
2006-12-20 12:49:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Acording to Newt, on his recent special on fox, the idea for the seperation of church and stae, was taken from an obscure letter written by, Thomas Jefferson" I believe. It is not in the constitution.
2006-12-20 12:44:32 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes... sort of.. and it is one of the rights that the U.S. (and other democractic constitutions) Constitution, the Bill of Rights that is, ensures to its subjects. However, there are some democratic states that the role of the Church is vital in civil society.
2006-12-20 12:42:47 · answer #10 · answered by pachelbel canon 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋