Separation of church and state

**michaelr** · 20th October 2009 11:32 AM

Can anyone show me where the constitution where the words "separation of church and state" exists???

**Conservative15** · 20th October 2009 11:55 AM

[quote name='michaelr' date='20 October 2009 - 12:32 PM' timestamp='1256059923' post='41644']

Can anyone show me where the constitution where the words "separation of church and state" exists???

[/quote]

It's not there.

**michaelr** · 20th October 2009 11:56 AM

[quote name='Conservative15' date='20 October 2009 - 10:55 AM' timestamp='1256061345' post='41653']

It's not there.

[/quote]

Correct, so why do we continue to hear this statement?

**Conservative15** · 20th October 2009 11:58 AM

[quote name='michaelr' date='20 October 2009 - 12:56 PM' timestamp='1256061386' post='41654']

Correct, so why do we continue to hear this statement?

[/quote]

We hear things like that because of a misinterpretation of the first amendment.

**michaelr** · 20th October 2009 11:58 AM

[quote name='Conservative15' date='20 October 2009 - 10:58 AM' timestamp='1256061499' post='41655']

We hear things like that because of a misinterpretation of the first amendment.

[/quote]

Nope.......

**Conservative15** · 20th October 2009 12:01 PM

[quote name='michaelr' date='20 October 2009 - 12:58 PM' timestamp='1256061528' post='41656']

Nope.......

[/quote]

Well, I think Thomas Jefferson said something about a "separation of church and state," but I think his words have been twisted.

What is your opinion on why we hear things like "separation of church and state?"

**michaelr** · 20th October 2009 12:02 PM

[quote name='Conservative15' date='20 October 2009 - 11:01 AM' timestamp='1256061666' post='41658']

Well, I think Thomas Jefferson said something about a "separation of church and state," but I think his words have been twisted.

What is your opinion on why we hear things like "separation of church and state?"

[/quote]

I wont give you my opinion, but I will allow others to try to get it, then I will tell you the reason.

**mjollnir** · 20th October 2009 12:04 PM

Jefferson stated that it is implied just in the opening clause of the First Amendment...

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion"

It is also implied in the next clause....

"or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"

Means that church is separate from state!! That, to me, is a no brainer. Mike...you sound like a republican!

As a matter of fact, Jefferson CLEARLY stated it in his letter to the Danbury Bapstists. Nothing was twisted!!

Believing that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign 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.

**Conservative15** · 20th October 2009 12:09 PM

[quote name='mjollnir' date='20 October 2009 - 01:04 PM' timestamp='1256061890' post='41660']

Jefferson stated that it is implied just in the opening clause of the First Amendment...

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion"

It is also implied in the next clause....

"or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"

Means that church is separate from state!! That, to me, is a no brainer. Mike...you sound like a republican!

[/quote]

Church is separate from state in that congress can not establish a state religion. For example, congress can not pass a law that makes the official religion of the state Islam and that you must practice Islam.

This has nothing to do with nativity scenes or prayer in school.

**mjollnir** · 20th October 2009 12:11 PM

[quote name='Conservative15' date='20 October 2009 - 02:09 PM' timestamp='1256062185' post='41663']

Church is separate from state in that congress can not establish a state religion. For example, congress can not pass a law that makes the official religion of the state Islam and that you must practice Islam.

This has nothing to do with nativity scenes or prayer in school.

[/quote]

Absolutely it does. Public Schools are taxpayer funded government schools. The presence of a nativity scene is an endorsement of a religion by a government entity!!