Sigh...I had hoped this would stop with our admonishments...
You can do a Google search for the Constitution and find it online...
I guess to answer your question Papa, the phrase comes from this:
Thomas Jefferson, as president, wrote a letter to the Danbury Baptist Association of Connecticut on 1802-JAN-1. It contains the first known reference to the "wall of separation". The essay states in part:
"...I contemplate with solemn 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..."
During the 1810's, President James Madison wrote an essay titled "Monopolies" which also refers to the importance of church-state separation. He stated in part:
"Strongly guarded as is the separation between religion and Government in the Constitution of the United States, the danger of encroachment by Ecclesiastical Bodies may be illustrated by precedents already furnished in their short history."
The US Supreme Court has interpreted the First Amendment as if it requires this "wall of separation" between church and state. It not only prohibits any government from adopting a particular denomination or religion as official, but requires government to avoid excessive involvement in religion.
The point as I understand it, the 1st Amendment was to provide freedom
of religion and freedom
from religion. I know several Christians that think America would become a utopia if everyone "received Jesus", but I would point out places like Colorado City (do a Google search if you want to know more about it).
Remember England and Europe during the time that everything was run by religion? I can't remember who said this but:
There was a time when everyone believed in God and the church ruled. That time was called the Dark Ages
Look at Iran (completely run by religion). Sometime rent and watch
The Magdalene Sisters....that took place in Ireland which was, for all practical purposes, also a theocracy at that time
Ut ut ut! I know what you're going to say. That you're talking Islam, Catholicism, and Mormonism. Well listen, if you think that a Protestant theocracy would be any different, you had better think again.
Rottydaddy has some stories to tell about how organized religion keeps people apart. I do respect that people have different values than my own. It's when they try to turn their views into legislation that I object.
