natural curiosity, but nowhere have I ever found that there is a mandate for separation of church and state. There is, however, a mandate that the State (USA) shall not "establish" a state religion.
This may be splitting hairs to some, but I think it warrants serious consideration. I myself am not for an over-abundance of religion in political life, but I do not think our forefathers ever had the idea to "rid ourselves of a moral base". Is it not a moral and ethical base that keeps us from killing one another just because? And is it not this moral base that keeps us from committing any one of a number of atrocities upon one another?
One can argue, I believe, that without some religion in our background, anarchy and criminal activity would be the order of the day. That without some moral and ethical bases upon which to guide our conduct, we are certainly no better than a madhouse filled with, and governed by psychotics.
So, where did "separation of church and state" come from?
2007-04-02 09:00:22 · 9 answers · asked by Michael B 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Our modern day separation of church and state has come from bad interpretations of the constitution by our elected officials and appointed judges. It has gotten way out of hand. I agree with you completely. The only purpose of the Establishment Clause was to keep government from interfering with the free exercise of religion, not to keep religion out of government.
2007-04-02 09:13:39 · answer #1 · answered by lawmom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As stated before the phrase "separation of church and state" was taken from a letter written by Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptists. It was never part of the Constitution. The reason that the state shall not establish a state religion was because the founding Fathers didn't want this country to become a Theocracy similar to Britain at the time when the only church was the Anglican Church of England, which was one of the reason so many persecuted religious sects came to this country. The problem is that the only religion recognized now is the various Christian sects and these are now trying to turn this country into a Christian theocracy where you must pray to their god in school, politicians must be of one of the Christian sects to be elected, that people have no right to what happens to their own body, and that they will judge you if you are in any way different from them (ex. gays). Anyone who practices any other type of religion will be persecuted or threatened with damnation. I sometimes wish that the "separation of church and state" phrase had been inserted into the Constitution to prevent just what is taking place in the year 2007.
2007-04-02 09:34:52 · answer #2 · answered by Marcellus 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Establishment clause, as you had presented, states that the government shall not endorse any religion.
There are several Supreme Court cases that support this issue; it is in the dicta of these cases that you shall find allusion to the separation of church and State.
Concerning morals, most of the religions of the world advocate virtually the same morals. Thus, not endorsing/establishing one religion over all does not preclude the applicant of morals/ethics in government.
Accordingly, absent an endorsement of religion, I do not think that this country would be over-run by criminal activity and anarchy.
2007-04-02 09:15:33 · answer #3 · answered by MenifeeManiac 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe the exact phrase "separation of church and state" was taken from Thomas Jefferson's letter to Danbury Baptists.
2007-04-02 09:03:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the founders were deeply religious men but they realized the the church should not become a political force, they saw a need to separate the church from the state but I doubt they ever expected a divorce.
2007-04-02 09:05:06 · answer #5 · answered by Alan S 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know where the saying came from, but I do know the wording in not anywhere in the Constitution. Our great nation was founded on solid Biblical principals. Unfortunately, this fact has been omitted in the current history textbooks. If you research our founding fathers, you will find that many of them credited God for almost everything. Even current presidents (Ronald Reagan, for one) is quoted as saying, "Faith in God, patriotism, freedom, the love of freedom, family, work, neighborhood -- the heart and soul of America's past and the promise of her future. If we stand together and live up to these principles, we will not fail."
2007-04-02 09:17:45 · answer #6 · answered by notarycat 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I think having a imaginary friend for adults is childish. If you understood why we took this country from the British you would know Theocracy was a big part of it.
2007-04-02 09:06:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
"So, where did "separation of church and state" come from?"
It was something wrote by Thomas Jefferson that was never part of any law.
2007-04-02 09:04:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
AAh! The Constitution also says "SHALL NOT PREVENT THE FREE EXERCISE THEREOF..."
Doesn't not letting people have Christmas trees and nativity scenes in Public Schools "preventing the free exercise"?????
2007-04-02 09:03:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋