Who first invented the idea of Seperation of Church and State?

Question

sources cited pleassseeee <3

Answer 1

Separation of Church and State was created not to protect our government from church - but to protect our churches from government. So that our government could not create a state church as they had in England - The Church of England.

There are tons of sites on the web concerning this - do a google.

This a good site for quotes from founding fathers on the separation of church and state. It is there to protect your religion freedom - not take it away. To allow you to worship, think and feel the way that you choose to worship, think and feel.
http://altreligion.about.com/library/weekly/aa070202a.htm

The Founders were well aware of the threats posed by religion/state entanglement; it's what gave the world Kings with "divine right."

The exact phrase was first used in Thomas Jefferson's Letter to the Danbury Baptists, explaining the decision to seperate state and religion:

"Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for is faith or his worship, that the legislative powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church and State. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties."

James Madison, principal author of the constitution:

"The civil Government, though bereft of everything like an associated hierarchy, possesses the requisite stability, and performs its functions with complete success, whilst the number, the industry, and the morality of the priesthood, and the devotion of the people, have been manifestly increased by the total separation of the church from the State." (1819).
http://altreligion.about.com/library/weekly/aa070202a.htm

Answer 2

Hey Olivia,

The idea of the seperation of Church and State is not new to the United States. In the following paragraph, at the website below, there is ample information about the history of the concept, perhaps more than you wanted (enough to use as a basis for a paper).

The separation of church and state is a political doctrine which states that the institutions of the state or national government should be kept separate from those of religious institutions. The concept has been a topic of political debate throughout history. The term separation of mosque and state is sometimes used in context when referring to an Islamic or Muslim-majority country, separation of synagogue and state is sometimes used in context when referring to Israel, etc. These substitute terms are often used facetiously.

Answer 3

The concept does go back century's but is was brought about by the first pope Ambrose in discussions with the roman emperor Constantine in the discussion of who would have complete authority over the citizens Constantine stated that he was the emperor but Ambrose noted that he was in charge of all the souls and that included the soul of the emperor how later went on to make Christianity the official religion of Rome. This was the beginning of power being seperated between the church and state

Answer 4

A better question would rather be who first invented the opposite idea, and that was Henry VIII in 1533. His "Church of England" was not separated from the State.

I think it would be quite difficult to find any other one. There may have been a government-supported white separatist so-called Church in South Africa during apartheid, but by now, it would be history.

Answer 5

I'm fairly certain that Thomas Jefferson penned the bit about "a wall of separation between Church and State". As pertains to U.S. politics, here's a nice web source on the subject:

http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/ed_buckner/quotations.html

Answer 6

The concept (not the term) goes back eons. The concept is based in the Judeo-Christian religion and was directly addressed by Jesus:

“Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.”

Do some research online -- there are sources all over the place.

And please don't listen to undereducated folks who automatically reply with knee-jerk responses like "ACLU".

These folks are a dime a dozen -- try to think for yourself and research this subject online.

(fyi, the word is spelled "separation")

Answer 7

The phrase "Separation of Church and State" was not widely used until the 1940's. You will not find it in any founding documents. The Declaration of Independence, US Constitution, Bill of Rights, Federalist Papers, Anti-Federalist Papers, Any of the 13 States Constitutions. Non of them even hint at such a statement. Even Jefferson's letter does not make this statement. When the June 25, 1962 court case outlawed prayer in school, that was when the phrase really became common language. It's interesting to note that this is one of the few Supreme Court Cases where the prevailing justices cited no previous Supreme Court Case to justify their decision. Only a letter by a President. Interesting passing laws based on letters.
The desenting judges cited many.

Coming from a country with a national religion (The Church of England). Where the public paid a government tax to support the church (whether they attended or not), the founders did not want this to happen in America. meaning a national church. The the 1st Amendment states clearly "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;...". They simply did not want the federal government to set up a national church.

Here is Jefferson's letter to the Danbury Baptist's. I still see no reference to religion being banished from Gevernment. Otherwise no chaplain would open congress, courts, supreme court building with 10 commandments, national days of prayer, no military chaplains, In God We Trust on money etc, etc. Jefferson just states there will be no national religion set up by congress and government will not get involved in their religous affairs.

Gentlemen

The affectionate sentiments of esteem & approbation which you are so good as to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist association, give me the highest satisfaction. my duties dictate a faithful & zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, and in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more & more pleasing.

Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man & his god, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between church and state. [Congress thus inhibited from acts respecting religion, and the Executive authorised only to execute their acts, I have refrained from presenting even occasional performances of devotion presented indeed legally where an Executive is the legal head of a national church, but subject here, as religious exercises only to the voluntary regulations and discipline of each respective sect.] Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.

I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection and blessing of the common Father and creator of man, and tender you for yourselves and your religious association, assurances of my high respect & esteem.

(signed)
Th Jefferson
Jan.1.1802.

Answer 8

the twin-actuality doctrine has not something to do with the separation of powers clause of the 1st modification. the 1st is mere philosophy, the 2d is political and social necessity. And the respond on your question is "the founding fathers of the U. S.."

Answer 9

http://www.wallbuilders.com/libissuesarticles.asp?id=123

Answer 10

ACLU and other liberal entities.