Who coined the term "seperation of church and state"? In what context was in first used?

Answer 1

I believe it was Thomas Jefferson:

"The “separation of church and state” phrase which they invoked, and which has today become so familiar, was taken from an exchange of letters between President Thomas Jefferson and the Baptist Association of Danbury, Connecticut, shortly after Jefferson became President."
http://www.wallbuilders.com/resources/search/detail.php?ResourceID=9

From his letter:
"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."

Answer 2

Hmm, I disagree with Jim R. The term "Seperation of Church and State" is not said word for word int he Constitution, though it is heavily implied and it is impossible to follow the First Amendment to the fullest without having Seperation of Church and State.

I'm not sure who created it and when the term was first said, but I would guess in some session of Congress or whatever. There also remains a possibility that John Locke had said it in his writings.

Answer 3

The exact phrase "seperation of church and state" will prove elusive, but the concept in anything but uniquely American. In fact, the Native tribes that occupied the Atlantic coast of America demanded this seperation when Europeans landed here. Plato, in his "Republic," also calls for this basic prerequisite of a fair and just government. Also, John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, Carl Marx, Sigmond Freud, Confusious (sic), and even Jesus called for the clear distinction and seperation of spiritual and governmental authority. Tracking down the first thought... Probably in the days before Ur and Babylonia.

Answer 4

Apparently the term, or something like it, originated in a letter that then-president Thomas Jefferson wrote to a clergyman who had asked for some government funding for a religious purpose. The constitution merely prohibits the establishing of an official national religion. "Separation of church and state" is an expansive metaphor for what the constitution actually says.

Answer 5

If memory serves me right it was Thomas Jefferson.
It meant simply that there would be no State mandated Church.

Answer 6

It seems to be used fairly recently. It has nothing to do with the constitution, it is not in the constitution, or declaration of independence, in those words. It is a concept rather then a law.

Answer 7

This is not a philosophy question try religion or history - may be you will get an answer