Where does it state in the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, or codified law where America has a?

Question

separation of church and state?

Jefferson's letter to the Danbury Baptists where the only place of separation of church and state is mentioned...

To messers. Nehemiah Dodge, Ephraim Robbins, & Stephen S. Nelson, a committee of the Danbury Baptist association in the state of Connecticut.

Gentlemen

The affectionate sentiments of esteem and approbation which you are so good as to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist association, give me the highest satisfaction. my duties dictate a faithful and zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, & in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more and more pleasing.

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, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legisla

legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church & 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.

I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection & blessing of the common father and creator of man, and tender you for yourselves & your religious association, assurances of my high respect & esteem.

Th Jefferson
Jan. 1. 1802.

Answer 1

It doesnt.

Answer 2

I think it is pretty clear in the First Amendment, and further discussed in the Federalist Papers. That being said, while religion, which is manmade, was firmly intended to be separate from the State, no one ever intended God, who is not manmade, to be excluded. The Founders simply intended Americans to have the right to worship (or not) according to their individual conscience and not have the Government dictating how that should be done.

Would you like to see a Biblical Theocracy? If so, you are a fool. Religious radicalism is bad, whether it is Islamic, Christian, or Wiccan! Why, pray tell, would you or anyone else, want someone to interpret spiritual truth and impose it upon you? If you want that, head thee to Mecca!

Answer 3

The first amendment. Additionally, the Supreme Court has ruled several times on the legitimacy of separation of church and state. But if you'd like....I hear many of the middle eastern countries actually like having their government run by their religious wackos. You might consider moving there.

Answer 4

It doesnt directly say that church and state should be separate, but the 1st Amendment says it in an indirect way. Also, a good number of American Colonists fled England because they werent allowed to practice a religion of their own choosing. King Henry (i forgot which one but i think it was the 8th) broke off from the Catholic Church, established his own and made it the official religion of England. One would think that the American Colonists and the founding fathers wouldnt want to establish an official religion because what they've experienced in England.

Answer 5

It is in the First Amendment to The Constitution and was thus incorporated into the Constitution itself.

Would you also like to repeal a woman's right to vote because that was not described in the first articles of the Constitution? Let's reinstate slavery as well---why not?

Answer 6

It doesn't. It is an interpretation by the Supreme Court. If you let Democrats and liberals have their way, they'll change the rules of Hoyle in the middle of a poker game.

Answer 7

The Constitution was intended to be a framework, not a complete statement of the law. That is one reason why we have the courts, and in particular, a Supreme Court to interpret the Constitution.

In the early 19th century, the principles of judicial interpretation and separation of church and state were established by the Supreme Court. It is now the 21st century.

In order to get rid of the two hundred year old doctrine and the law regarding the wall between church and state, the precedents would have to be overruled by the Supreme Court. The Court would have to be packed with activist judges who were willing to re-write much of the law.

I am always baffled when I hear conservatives say they do not want activist judges, when that is EXACTLY what they push for. It is also one thing to roll back the law 35 years to before Roe v. Wade was decided, and quite another thing to roll it back to the 18th century before the wall between church and state was built

Answer 8

None of those explicitly state it.

Are you not familiar with the Supreme Court and their rulings?

Interpretation, penumbras, and oral arguments shape the law.

Get a clue.

Answer 9

It is implied in 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.

Do you think that separation of church and state is a bad thing?

Answer 10

don't be ridiculous. We all have the right to practice (or not) whatever religion we want. that being said, how can it be justified to rule the land according to ONE religious view?

Answer 11

The Establishment Clause of the first amendment.