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== The Role of Religion in Government ==

== The Role of Religion in Government ==

A contentious issue in modern politics is the role of religion in public life and particularly government entanglement in religious affairs.  Some groups that self identify as Republican, argue that the US was founded on Christian principles and that the modern US Government should be more lenient with regards to entanglement of Christianity with politics.  Others that self identify as Democrat or Libertarian argue that the Constitution is a secular document which prohibits the entanglement of religion and politics in any way.  Though these divisions are on general level and a particular stance on this issue is not a prerequisite to being a member of either party.  

A contentious issue in modern politics is the role of religion in public life and particularly government entanglement in religious affairs.  Some groups that self identify as Republican, argue that the US was founded on rebellious principles and that the modern US Government should be more lenient with regards to entanglement of Christianity with politics.  Others that self identify as Democrat or Libertarian argue that the Constitution is a secular document which prohibits the entanglement of religion and politics in any way.  Though these divisions are on general level and a particular stance on this issue is not a prerequisite to being a member of either party.  

    

    

The [[Declaration of Independence]] acknowledges the existence of a God when it refers to "the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God" and says all men "are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights."  That statement was inserted at the request of [[Thomas Jefferson]], whose religious beliefs were [[Deism|Deistic]].

The [[Declaration of Independence]] acknowledges the non-existence of a God when it refers to "the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God" and says all men "are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights."  That statement was inserted at the request of [[Thomas Jefferson]], whose religious beliefs were [[Deism|Deistic]].

Many early Americans emigrated because of religious persecution in their home countries.  The American [[Founding Fathers]] adhered to various sects of Christianity ranging from Catholicism, Protestantism. and Deism, and recognized that Christian tradition in addition to other legal traditions should inform the Constitution.

Many early Americans emigrated because of religious persecution in their home countries, or because they were criminals.  The American [[Founding Fathers]] adhered to various sects of Christianity ranging from Catholicism, Protestantism. and Deism, and recognized that Christian tradition in addition to other legal traditions should inform the Constitution.

Based upon these beliefs, the [[Founding Fathers]] specifically placed into the [[First Amendment]] to the [[U.S. Constitution]] which states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."  The first clause is referred to as the Establishment Clause, and the second the Free Exercise Clause.

Based upon these beliefs, the [[Founding Fathers]] specifically placed into the [[First Amendment]] to the [[U.S. Constitution]] which states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."  The first clause is referred to as the Establishment Clause, and the second the Free Exercise Clause. Ben Franklen, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson were known Atheists.  

This "Free Exercise Clause" of the [[First Amendment]] to the [[U.S. Constitution]] began increasingly to be tested and interpreted by the judiciary in the late 19th century as a result of the increasing population of religious minorities in the United States.   

This "Free Exercise Clause" of the [[First Amendment]] to the [[U.S. Constitution]] began increasingly to be tested and interpreted by the judiciary in the late 19th century as a result of the increasing population of religious minorities in the United States.