Where in the constitution does it say separation of church and state?

Question

I have gone over the Constitution many times and i find nothing that even hints at this separation.

I have found where it say's there will be no established religion.
but that doesn't have anything to do with separation.

Answer 1

The phrase "separation of church and state" is derived from a letter written by Thomas Jefferson to a group identifying themselves as the Danbury Baptists. In that letter, referencing the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, and adding his own thoughts, Jefferson writes: "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."

First Amendment to the Costitution of the United States
"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."

Answer 2

The phase separation of church and state is a common interpretation of the Establishment clause of the first Amendment, which reads, Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.
It ( the phrase) is also take from a letter written by Thomas Jefferson " his Wall of Separation Letter" to the Danbury Baptist Association in 1802 to answer a letter from them written in Oct. 1801. Jefferson was a staunch believer in the separation of church and state.

Answer 3

I think Thomas Jefferson can be considered to be an authority on the intent of the 'no established religion' phrase.

""The phrase "separation of church and state" is derived from a letter written by Thomas Jefferson to a group identifying themselves as the Danbury Baptists. In that letter, referencing the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, and adding his own thoughts, writes: "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.""

"The phrase itself does not appear in any founding American document, but it has been quoted in opinions by the United States Supreme Court."

Answer 4

That exact phrase, "seperation of church and state" can't be found. It just summarizes the First Amendment :

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.

You are wrong when you say that has nothing to do with seperation. That's EXACTLY what it means.

Answer 5

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.

Thomas Jefferson wrote the following and coined the term...

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) Thomas Jefferson
Jan.1.1802.

Answer 6

It's a point of contention between Conservatives and Liberals, but clearly the intention was to prevent a state church like the one present in England when our nation was formed.

The doctrine of separation simply means the government will not run, nor be run by, a church.

Answer 7

The Congress cannot establish an official state religion, but that does not translate to a separation between church and state.

The libs hate Christianity, but they don't really care giving aids to Muslims or Buddhists.

Answer 8

You are absolutely correct.

"The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is a part of the United States Bill of Rights. It prohibits the federal legislature from making laws that establish a state religion or prefer a certain religion (the "Establishment Clause"), prohibit free exercise of religion (the "Free Exercise Clause"), infringe the freedom of speech, infringe the freedom of the press, limit the right to assemble peaceably, or limit the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances." - Wikipedia

People misinterpret the First Ammendment to say that it calls for total removal of religion from government. They take this further to say that it covers all government sponsored institutions. Rather what the script says is that the government shall not legislate religion in the respect of denying religious rights or establishing that one religion is superior.

To me, mandating that the ten commandments be taken down from public property is a clear violation of the first ammendment.

Remember that our country, our declaration of independence, and the constitution itself were founded on the basis of religious beliefs.

Answer 9

Claiming one religion in government like the displaying of the ten commandments or calling American a Christan nation would be a form of establishment

Answer 10

Separation of church and state is the result of 200 plus years of Constitutional interpretation. In World War I, the US Army didn't even have chaplains due to the First Amendment. We've changed quite a bit since then.