Is seperation of "Church and State" the same thing as seperation of "God and State"?

Question

Or can seperation of Church and State exist without seperation of God and State?

Is seperation of Church and State meant to prevent the formation of a "state church" like the Catholic church was in many countries throughout history, or the Church of England in the UK? To keep a specific denomination from gaining legislative or political power?

Or is seperation of Church and State meant to snuff out all traces of the Christian God from our courts, schools and governments.

Two very different concepts, if you ask me. Which is the most correct interpretation of the intent behind "seperation of Church and State"?

Answer 1

The intention was to keep Theocracies out, with No State Mandated Church, Not to Keep God or religious worship out. It also protected religious and Non religious persons from being persecuted by the Government as was being done by the Catholic Church and Church of England.

You should also look up the Thanksgiving Proclamations of Both Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln..It give you an idea of what they thought about the Free exercise of religion! State policy on religion and Church policies .....Banning it is Also ILLEGAL according to the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.

The 1st Amendment:
Congress shall Make No Law respecting an Establishment of religion, Or Prohibiting the Free Exercize thereof; Or ABRIDGING the Freedom of Speech (Prayers included) Or of the Press; Or the Right of the People peaceably to assemble And to Petition the Government for Redress of Grievances...."

Answer 2

No, I don't think that they are the same. This country was founded on God. Our ancestors came to America, primarily, in order to have religious freedom. Today their are many different churches, even in the Christian community, and saying that "Church and State" as "God and State" are the same would require you to identify which church that would be. This country was not about any one church but is about one God, hence the saying on our money "In God we Trust".

To remove God from our government takes away from the very reason our government was established to begin with. Churches, now, have too many bylaws in addition to was the Bible has dictated. The Bibles rules are plan and simple: Have no other gods before him, do not worship false idols, do not misuse God's name, Keep the Sabbath holy, honor you parents, do not murder, do not commit adulter, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not covet you neighbors belonging. If we can learn to follow them, as a society, we would be better off.

Answer 3

The first premise of your question is the correct one. However, so many people are freaked out by the concept of God, the original intent of the separation clause has been ignored. Now some of the more liberal courts (Ninth Circuit Court to name one) are issuing rulings that would wipe out any trace of God from, as you put it, our courts, schools, and governments. The result was the Pledge of Allegiance ruling out of California. Even some of the most ardent democrats found that ruling to be offensive.

Answer 4

Neither, separation of church and state is nowhere in our constitution or declaration. It is a deception used to bully the Christians into staying quiet will the liberal left forces it's religion on everyone else.

The only mention of it was in a letter by an original signer and it was mentioned in the context of keeping the government out of church business not the other way around.

Answer 5

our country was founded on the principles of the Christan faith, our forefathers wanted us to be free of any one church gaining control and becoming a official state church such as England or several other country;s where the church dictates policy to the state, any one can belong to any church he wants to and nothing can be did about it,no prejudice nor diminishing rights etc, but,there is nothing in our constitution that says our politicians can't be Christan's or what ever, however Idon't think our forefathers ever even considered Muslims immigrating to this country or the certainly would have addressed this situation, as some did write a letter to congress to never allow Jew's to immigrate to America ,as they would build a state within the state, and eventually gain control over our people, within 200 years this letter was signed by Washington, Pickney, Gwinnett, Franklin. and Adams, there is no record of it being introduced to the floor so something must have prevented it , the letter was on display at the George Washington Institute, they remembered what had happened in England before, when the Jew's tried to take over , they were smart and kicked them out before they gained so much power, Germany didn't nor did Russia , now the U.S, we all know what happened in Germany and Russia, what will happen in America?

Answer 6

Our constitution says that the government cannot endorse a specific religion above all others. In other words, they can't demand that everyone belong to a specific faith and kill and/or imprison people who refuse, as is done in other countries.

It does NOT mean that the government has to snuff out all traces of the Christian God from our courts, schools, and governments. It just can't prohibit alternatives.

Answer 7

It was designed to keep the church from becoming a political power, yes like rome etc. But the abolishment of God in any public square also is illegal by our constitution. We have a right to worship and be whatever religion, (UNLESS ONE IS CHRISTAIN).

But none of us will EVER have to worry about our constitution and rights if the Kamodo kaodo treaty gets ratified to our country. What this thing does is gives the beloved UN rights over us. Pass it along or kiss it goodbye.....

Answer 8

To keep the state out of the church, supposedly. The founding fathers wanted to prevent the church from becoming political, not the government from becoming religious.

I see nothing wrong with keeping it separated both ways though.

Answer 9

separation of church and state is different from God and state.. The separation of Church and state means, the state will not be abided by church rules and the church has nothing to do in ruling the government. like, the church can do what it wants and the state as well as long as it's good...
separation of God and state is a n0-n0..there is no such thing..like, separation of a ruler and a state in some sense..

Answer 10

Well,you are required to swear an oath on the Bible to tell the truth in court so God still has a place there. I do think they
try to cut all mention of Him in government and the schools,
though.

I think it's meant to prevent any religious body from interfering directly with the workings of government.