Separation of Church And State?

Question

The separation of Church and State is guaranteed to us, as Americans, is common knowledge
Me and a friend were discussing, however, what guarantees us this right? It isn't written in the constitution, so why are we guaranteed this?

Answer 1

There is no "separation of Church and State."

This is a catchy phrase coined by secular Liberals in their quest to purge all religion from America.

The first amendment actually states that my right to freely exercise my religion shall not be prohibited.

"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 founders didn't want an official religion, so Congress can pass no law favoring one over the other.

Allowing prayer in school is not passing a law. Teaching creationism as an alternative theory is not passing a law.

In fact, not letting us do these things violates the First Amendment.

Answer 2

The 1st amendment prohibits the government respecting any religion, hence it forbids the government from accepting any specific religion.

Also the term separation of church and state actually dates back to 1802 people by Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Danbury Baptists in CT worried about the power of the connecticut congressional church

Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and 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. 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.

Answer 3

There are HUNDREDS of US Supreme Court cases that uphold the concept of separation of Church and State. Some of the comments here are completely based in religious bias and a fundamental lack of understanding of the US Constitution and its interpretation. The ACLU didnt make it up. Neither did the "left" wing. This is a fundamental concept and one of the staples of our freedom in this country. Congress shall make no law establishing a religion. Do you understand what that means? The government can not endorse or condemn any religion.

Fundamentalist christians are bent on the belief that it does not apply to them. Well, guess what there sparky. It DOES apply to christians as well as anyone else. This is not a christian government. It is not a jewish government. It is not a rastafarian government. This government and the first amendmant are founded on that premise. All this rhetoric around the fact that the phrase "separation of church and state" does not verbatim appear in the Constitution is just ridiculous. And dangerous. How would christians feel if Congress decided that rasta should be the religion of the land, and everyone started firing up j-bars in the streets as a religious ritual? Not to good I would think. Well, that's how MANY people feel about christian rituals. Which is why the government can NOT be affiliated with any religion.

It's a funny thing. Even the teachings of christ agree with...and perhaps are the basis of the separation of church and state. It's kind of a conceptual thought and will take some degree of introspection to understand. But what do you think christ meant when he said

"Render to Ceasar what is Ceasar's?"

He wasnt talking about taxes.

So, to answer your question, yes, we ARE guranteed this in the Constitution. No matter what right wing fanatics tell you.

Answer 4

It most is certainly in the Constitution. It might do you well to actually read it instead of swallowing whole propaganda from those who support your agenda.

While you're there, you might want to take a peek at the 2nd Amendment. Nowhere does it recognize a specific right to keep and bear "firearms." Nor, does it make any mention of hunting or personal defense. As a matter of fact, as written, the Amendment addresses only one specific situation where that right (to "keep and bear arms") is granted to the people. Now, are you ready to argue that at the Young Republicans meeting? After all, it's the same logic presented in your question.

The Founders assumed that those who discuss the Constitution would be capable of understanding the content and purpose of that document, not that it was being written for a 5th grade mentality that must have it presented in one-syllable words on a blackboard. Apparently, they never considered the rise of the neo-con's and their promotion of purposeful ignorance.

.

Answer 5

First Amendment? LOL! LOL! Separation of Who's Church from What State?!

Few Americans seem to be aware that the Roman Catholic Church in America is officially recognized as a State.

Early in his administration, President Ronald Reagan invited the Vatican City, whose ruling head is the Pope, to open its first embassy in Washington, D.C. His Holiness responded positively, and the embassy, or Apostolic Nunciature of the Vatican City Church-State, opened officially on January 10, 1984.

Almost immediately, a complaint was filed against your former President at U.S. District Court in Philadelphia by the American Jewish Congress, the Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs, Seventh Day Adventists, the National Council of Churches, the National Association of Evangelicals, and the Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

The plaintiffs sought to have the Court declare that the administration had "unconstitutionally" granted to the Roman Catholic faith privileges that were being denied to other establishments of religion.

On May 7, 1985, the suit was thrown out by the office of Chief Judge John Fullam. Fullam ruled that district courts do not have jurisdiction to intervene in "foreign policy decisions" of the executive branch. Bishop James W. Malone, president of the U.S. Catholic Conference, praised Judge Fullam's decision, noting that it settled "not a religious issue but a public policy question." (1989 Catholic Almanac, p.175)

The plaintiffs appealed. The 3rd Circuit DENIED the appeal, noticing that "the Roman Catholic Church's unique position of control over a sovereign territory gives it advantages that other religious organizations do not enjoy." (U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit, Case No. 85-1309)

In words more understandible, The Apostolic Nunciature at 3339 Massachusettes Ave. N.W. enables the papacy to supervise more closely American civil government - "public policy" - as administered through Roman Catholic laypersons in harmony with the Constitution of the Church. (See Vatican II - iv, 33 and iv, 36)

The favored religion of the government of the United States is Roman Universalism. And that's the reason why the goddess Persephone stands atop your legislative center.

Now get over your 1st Amendment gibberish!

Answer 6

Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791.

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 7

It is the supreme courts interpretation of the first amendment and specifically the following clause:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof

The interpretation holds that religions must be treated equally and therefore states that one should not be presented over another in settings such as a public school. I personally have no objection to how it has been interpreted.

Answer 8

I believe that religion should have no place, when it comes to politics! There needs to always be a seperation between the two. Who is to say one religion is the right religion? Isn't that what happens? The seperation would come into play when dealing with other religions, and beliefs. There needs to be an understanding that we humans just can't grasp! I listen to some of the religious leaders out there, and I am not sure I want them telling me how to live my life!

Answer 9

You are not guaranteed "separation" by the Constitution. It is based on a response made to a church by President Jefferson in 1802.

It is a classic example of twisting words by endless debate.

The guarantee is that there will never be an official state religion,period, but not not the end of the story. As long as there are those afraid of the notion that there is a God, the debate shall rage on. You have the Freedom of Religion, NOT Freedom from Religion. It can be ignored, pinheaded judges can twist intent and the ACLU will not stop attacking the right of the religious in order to support the right of the non religious. What would you expect from a group that battles in court to uphold NAMBLA's so called right? to Kiddy Porn.

Answer 10

Well it is not actauly stated anywhere. All that it means or was meant to mean is that there was not to be a Church State which means that the government is controled by the Church.