what happend to the seperation of church and state?

Question

What happend to the seperation of church and state? It sure isn't happening in the US.

Thanks for your answers so far... alot of you have said great answer. An thank you for the spell check. Also I am christain so dont assume i am not. I just dont like our poking around with other peoples lifes. So if your gona bring that jesus and the bible into this read the bible. It said dust off your feet and walk away. Dont judge less you be judges yourself. It seems that our religion fell away from what we were and what made us so great. There is no need for us christens to try and tell everyone whats right an wrong. Everyone thanks for your answer.

Answer 1

While there is no direct statement in the Constitution, it is clear through its interpretation that the only way to allow for people to be free from a government established religion is to require the government to remain neutral in the face of religion. The issue arises when the state or some arm of the state acts in a way that gives rise to the idea that the state is establishing or endorsing a religion. You can pray in school, but the school can not enact a policy requiring prayer.

The test is three prong. First, does the state action further a secular purpose? Second, the principal effect of the statute or action must neither advance nor inhibit religion. Third, there must be no excessive government entanglement with religion. When you look at it applied, it becomes clear in cases such as Lee v. Weisman and Lemon v. Kurtz that if the government creates laws that inhibit or advance a certain religion, it draws closely to endorsing a specific religion over others. Can you think of a statute that mentions religion but doesn't advance or inhibit it? It is very difficult.

But as the religious right continues to believe that we need to infuse religion, specifically protestant christian religion, they are trying to find ways around the Supreme Court's interpretations. It is good that there is a "liberal" side that sees things differently or we all may be subject to religious rules that create as much oppression as that we escaped from in England. The whole idea there was that a king, ordained by God, could set rules unilaterally regardless of the people's will. Is that really so far from government that sets a religious norm unilaterally from the diversity of the people and requires them to follow it? The idea isn't keep religion out, it is keep the government from requiring one religion and let people have the freedom to choose without pressure, coercion, or harassment.

Answer 2

There is no such thing in the Constitution as "separation of church and state". Thomas Jefferson used that line in a private letter to someone. The 1st Amendment prohibits the government from establishing a state religion. Many of the original settlers were fleeing the persecution of the Church of England and were determined that such an institution would never be established here. There are many sites available which detail the influence the role of Christianity in the formation of this country.

Answer 3

I don't know what you think separation means, but according to the Constitution, it means government will not endorse any particular religion, (such as the Church of England). No where in the Constitution of the United States of America does it say government cannot endorse religious ideas and beliefs.

You asked what happened to the separation of Church and State, but I want to ask you, what happened to the free expression of religion? That right is also in the Constitution, yet Christians are told regularly we cannot pray in public, cannot have religious symbols in public places, and can't even call those well lit evergreens seen this time of year, Christmas trees.

Answer 4

It used to be the law that the theory of evolution couldn't be taught in public schools because it contradicted the Bible, there was Christian prayer in public schools, and the Bible was considered a high authority in our Courts. Now things have changed drastically...there was never meant to be a separation of God and government, only a prohibition on a government sanctioned church!

Runkel v. Winemiller (1799), “Religion is of general and public concern, and on its support depend, in great measure, the peace and good order of government, the safety and happiness of the people. By our form of government, the Christian religion is the established religion...

Answer 5

First, the separation of church and state is defined in u . s . a . shape and ability that the u . s . a . governments could make no regulations that helps a nationwide faith or interferes with your good to take part in an prepared faith. It has no longer something to do with what a church can or can no longer do. church homes are religions are approximately morals and human habit. So church homes ought to talk what's stable and incorrect of their eyes. so as meaning the church can assist you particular regulations or politicians reckoning on their place while in comparison with the church homes coaching.

Answer 6

If you can find in the Constitution where it actually states there is supposed to be a separation of church and state......it's not there, there is freedom OF religion, not FROM religion...

Answer 7

There was never any "separation of church and state". There was the freedom of exercise of religion and the prohibition on religious establishment.

Answer 8

You are right and that is very good. It is NOT in our constitution, thank God. Our country was founded by Godly men. Separation of church and state was merely a foot note by a supreme court justice..it is not in our constitution, praise God. I am very glad it is not happening and you should be also. You benefit immensely from the influence of Christians.

Answer 9

the theme of separation of church and state comes from a letter by Thomas Jefferson.

And when you read the letter, you may become incensed as to
why it has been turned around so much by the ACLU

they have taken his words out of context.......

see for yourself

Answer 10

It's a liberal lie, and there it doesn't appear anywhere in the constitution. That includes the so-called "establishment clause," which doesn't mean "separation of church and state."