Separation of Church and State - Where exactly is that in the Constitution?

Answer 1

Mr Marty, I noticed that some of your respondents have stated that your question is not in the constitution. They are right "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." That is the first amendment. The constitution itself concludes with the phrase "in the year of our lord." with the signatures below. The founding fathers recognised the importance of religion in the events both great and small of everyday life. It is only through judicial interpretation that this concept of an insurmountable "wall" between church and state has lead to this rediculous concept of not allowing nativity scenes on the lawns of public buildings, and not allowing the rescitation of the pledge of allegiance, and all manner of other such nonsense, because someone may be offended. The rest I wont get into because some other folks have already covered it. But please remember that a big chunck of the people who founded this country, were religious outcasts from their native lands.

Answer 2

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.

The founding fathers astutely protected our basic rights while insuring that the government would not be theocratic in character in the First Amendment. Remember, many of the first settlers came to this country fleeing religious persecution, specifically from the Anglican Church, which since the time of Henry the Eighth was the official state religion of England

Answer 3

That phrase "separation of church and state" does not appear in the US Constitution.
The Constitution forbids Congress to set up a state religion. Many people moved to the new world because England required everyone to be a member of the Anglican church. So religious freedom was a big issue with our founders.

Answer 4

The United States Constitution does not have the phrase "Separation of Church of State." The First Amendment in the Bill of Rights covers freedom of speech, assembly and religion. Thomas Jefferson introduced the phrase "separation of church and state."

Answer 5

It's not officially in the Constitution. The idea is derived from Thomas Jefferson who refering to the 1st Amendment said "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."

Also, in the Treaty witht he Barbary Pirates, Jefferson notes that the US government has no official religion.

Answer 6

Nonprofits Get Federal Anti-Terror Funding
Church-State Issues Divide Jewish Leaders

By Caryle Murphy
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, October 20, 2005; B01



Thirty-one nonprofit organizations in the Washington area, including 14 synagogues and eight hospitals, have received federal grants ranging from $26,000 to $100,000 to fortify their facilities under an anti-terrorism program that has divided Jewish leaders and drawn criticism from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The grants are part of a $25 million nationwide program that Congress approved last year and recently renewed for fiscal 2006 to protect nonprofit groups deemed highly vulnerable to a terrorist attack.

I bet all the Evangelical Churches are getting Federal Grants too?

Answer 7

Trust me, if the framers of the Constitution wanted the US to have a theocracy, it would have happened in the late 18th C.
After centuries of religious warfare in Europe, it made pretty good sense to keep religion out of government.

Answer 8

That provision was put into the constitution only to make it so their would not be a state religion in the States.or Federal government.such as they have in England. they have taken that way to far.the intention is to make it that the government doesnt make a state religion only, but they wish to take that as being something different then intended.Its a shame ,people need spirituality in their lifes.very much in these days of so much evil in this country,spirituality should be taught.in schools. not any certain religion.

Answer 9

It is not in the constitution, however, founding fathers made their intention clear and several supreme courts have come down in favor of the separation of church and state.

Answer 10

All though that there is no wording saying, " Separation of State and Church", in any of our Government's documents. It is referred to in our Constitution's 1st amendment. which allows one to express itself freely without Government restraints or interference of anyone's message regardless of its views.