Is there Really Separation between Church and State?

Question

Is there? or is it just a myth?

last time i read the bill of rights was...12 years ago.

Answer 1

Separation of church and state is covered in the first amendment of the Bill of Rights. It prohibits the federal legislature from making laws that establish a state religion or prefer a certain religion. But today, many bills do not get the chance to become laws because of strict religious belief such as gay marriage, abortion and stem cell research. The reason for this is because our president and many senators and congresspeople are very religious Christians and are pro life. They believe that abortion is wrong because they feel that they are saving a baby's life by not killing it. They also thing that stem cell research is wrong because its "unchristian". The same is for gay marriage. Also, the phrase "In God we Trust" is on all of our coins and bills.

Answer 2

W Hill have you actually ever read the bill of rights....the separation between church and state is an activist interpretation...unfortunately those activist sat on the bench of the supreme court
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;

It literally states that there should be no state run religion (like England had) and that you have the freedom to practice any religion you choose. There is no freedom from religion, no separation of church and state. The constitution has been inerpreted to mean that. It has gone too far.

Answer 3

There is no wall between church and state and there can never be one either. Religion influences people's view of the world around them, what is right and wrong, good and bad, just and unjust. These views influence how someone will make decisions and what someone will support in the political arena. You cannot separate morality from the way people make choices and decisions regarding what is in the best interest of this country and its people.

The First Amendment of the Constitution says NOTHING about separating church and state. It only provides for free expression of religion and that Congress "shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion." Simply put, Congress cannot makes laws creating a state religion, outlawing other religions, or giving people of one religion preference over people of other religions.

Answer 4

In the strictest sense, it's more a manner of thinking than it is actual codified law. The First Amendment says, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion...", meaning that Congress can't go out and say that one religion is the official religion of the country. It didn't take long before people began treating it the other way around: theoretically, no religious organization may gain such recognition, or any special favors from the government. The originators of this thinking knew that theocracy wasn't the best form of government when it came to protection of human rights, so they came to the logical conclusion that religious and governmental affairs should not mix.

For clarification, mention of God is not estalishment of religion. Our faith in God is a symbol of our faith that there is a higher power and order than any which imperfect humans can establish, which is the fundamental basis of our theoretically small government.

Answer 5

According to the supreme court, the First amendment, Thomas Jefferson and all of the founders, Yes. According to Pat Robertson, No. It's pretty clear who's wrong....

By the way, The wall of Separation is from Thomas Jefferson's writings. The supreme court merely parroted the line.

In addition, The US WAS NOT FOUNDED UPON CHRISTIAN VALUES! Most all of the founding fathers were deists, or masons. They founded the nation out of a belief in Liberty free from religion.

"They [the clergy] have reason to Fear- for I have sworn upon the alter of God eternal hostility to all forms of tyranny over the minds of men" -Jefferson, when asked if the clergy had reason to be afraid of his presidency.

Answer 6

There is no mention of a separation of church and state in the Declaration if Independence, The Bill of Rights, the Constitution or any of the Amendments.

It is Liberal Folklore.

Answer 7

Depends on your definition of "separation".

The 1st Amendment simply prohibits government from interfering with one's religious practices. Article 6 of the Constitution prohibits government from using one's religion as the basis of denying governmental service.

That to me is not "separation" is is simply restricting governmental interference.

Answer 8

Only in the minds of the ACLU. All the constitution mandated was that the state could not dictate what type of religion or worship the states could have. This would protect the colonies from another King George state mandated religion.

Answer 9

It's a load of crap. Senator Kennedy was just about holding hands with the Archbishop of Los Angeles at a news conference supporting amnesty for illegals in our country last week or so. It's time for him to retire or join the ACLU to help the illegals.

Answer 10

there is. That is why Christianity is not the official religion of the States. That is why anybody who chose to be religious (or not) can do so. Imagine trying to preach christianity in Saudi Arabia or China..