Difference between revisions of "Separation of church and state"
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Separation of church and state is a concept that has little or no basis in the constitution. Even so, it is beleived by many to be in the [[First Ammendment]]. This myth has it's origin in the phrase: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." As you can see, "seperation of church and state" is a very loose interpretation indeed! | Separation of church and state is a concept that has little or no basis in the constitution. Even so, it is beleived by many to be in the [[First Ammendment]]. This myth has it's origin in the phrase: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." As you can see, "seperation of church and state" is a very loose interpretation indeed! | ||
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[[Thomas Jefferson]] coined the phrase "Wall of separation between Church and State" in his Letter to the Danbury Baptists [insert reference]. | [[Thomas Jefferson]] coined the phrase "Wall of separation between Church and State" in his Letter to the Danbury Baptists [insert reference]. | ||
| − | + | The [[Treaty of Tripoli]], drafted during Washington's presidency and ratified by John Adams, states that "The government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion."<ref>[http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/diplomacy/barbary/bar1796t.htm Treaty of Tripoli, Article 11.] Ratified in 1796 and again in 1797.</ref> Many proponents of a Christian America point out that the treaty was superceded by the [[Treaty of Peace and Amity]] in 1805 (although the superceding of the treaty does not change John Adams' secular view of the United States). | |
The evidence that the reference to the Creator in the [[Declaration of Independence]] may equally refer to the [[Deist]] God rather than the Christian God is often ignored. | The evidence that the reference to the Creator in the [[Declaration of Independence]] may equally refer to the [[Deist]] God rather than the Christian God is often ignored. | ||
Revision as of 21:47, March 23, 2007
Separation of church and state is a concept that has little or no basis in the constitution. Even so, it is beleived by many to be in the First Ammendment. This myth has it's origin in the phrase: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." As you can see, "seperation of church and state" is a very loose interpretation indeed!
A belief that there should be no official national religion in the United States. Seeing the results of centuries of religious strife in then-officially Christian Europe, the Founders chose to prohibit congress from prohibiting, or even passing law about any particular faith.
Thomas Jefferson coined the phrase "Wall of separation between Church and State" in his Letter to the Danbury Baptists [insert reference].
The Treaty of Tripoli, drafted during Washington's presidency and ratified by John Adams, states that "The government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion."[1] Many proponents of a Christian America point out that the treaty was superceded by the Treaty of Peace and Amity in 1805 (although the superceding of the treaty does not change John Adams' secular view of the United States).
The evidence that the reference to the Creator in the Declaration of Independence may equally refer to the Deist God rather than the Christian God is often ignored.
References
- ↑ Treaty of Tripoli, Article 11. Ratified in 1796 and again in 1797.