The Wall of Separation of Church and State

By Teresa Carr

Most people don’t know that the words, “the wall of separation of church and state” are not and never has been in the U.S. Constitution. The words were in a letter from Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptists Association in Connecticut, assembled October 7, 1801, assuring them that they were safe from the power of civil government to remove their religious liberties, how they are to worship, and issues that extend from the pulpit to the public in elections. According to a Supreme Court ruling of Reynolds vs. U.S. in 1802 said that government was not to interfere in religious practices that it violates the rights of the citizens set forth in the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights.

If you read the first amendment the words “separation of church and state” are not there. The First Amendment, proposed on September 25, 1789 and enforced since December 15, 1791, says that Congress shall make no law respecting on 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. The Supreme Court has said that the first eight Amendments apply only to the federal government and not to the states. While this is true of Amendment 1, it is now settled by Supreme Court decisions that the command of Amendment 14―that no state should deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law―makes Amendment 1 apply to the states and forbid state action which would violate the rights of religion, speech, press, and assembly, covered by Amendment 1. In commenting further on Amendment 14, in many countries, some one religion has been made the official or “established” church, and has been supported, and has been supported by the government. Congress is forbidden to set up or provide in any way for such an established church in the United States.

The rights protected in Amendment 1 cannot be considered as absolute. Congress cannot prohibit the free exercise of religion, but it could pass legislation against any sect, which practice customs contrary to morality. For example, certain Islamic sects that practice extreme fanaticism such as terrorism and threaten the freedoms of others by intimidation and militant actions are subjected to violation of national laws. Some Mormons held that it was entirely proper for a man to take more than one wife. But the clause protecting freedom of religion did not extend to any of these practices. It has been held that Congress may abridge the freedom of speech or of the press cases of “clear and present danger” to the state. But the rights in Amendment 1 are preferred in the Constitution, and few actual restrictions on them are allowed. They are the cornerstones of our democratic process.

The rights of the Danbury Baptist Church were protected from the interference of the U.S. government. Jefferson’s letter to the Danbury Baptist Association in Connecticut of January 01, 1802 relieved them of their concern. His words were, “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 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. The first amendment was written in June 7-Sept. 25, 1789. On Sept. 3, 1789, Fisher Ames offered final wording of the first amendment. In Jan. 1801, Fisher Ames was the one who said that Bible should be used as a schoolbook. Benjamin Rush said to remove the Bible from the schools will cause an increase in crime. They were right! I think we can all stand some classroom study on our American history and Civics classes. The Lord says, “My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). Knowledge is power and the more we know what is going on in our government the better off we are to save our laws from any sabotage of the enemy in our present time of uncertainty. Our freedoms and liberties are a God-given gift and they are very precious like a fine jewel. Once our laws are ever dissolved they will be gone forever. Don’t let it happen in our lifetime. Preserve our Constitution for our future generations of Americans. Remember the Sovereign God who gave us our freedom and give thanks to Him always.

UPDATE:

There is a current danger to the freedom of speech in American churches. The danger is to our churches and our church leaders to discuss issues of concern that affect our society. At present the IRS has at times targeting conservative churches and enforcing the silence of these churches. This directly violates the First Amendment rights of people of faith. Your church tax-exempt status shouldn’t be at risk every time your pastor speaks out on abortion or same-sex marriage or any issue for that matter.

Here is a history lesson. In 1954, Senator Lyndon B. Johnson sought political retribution against an opponent whose election campaign was supported by two non-profit organizations. Johnson’s tactic was quietly adding to a standard tax bill a little-noticed amendment barring all tax-exempt groups, including churches, from participating in political activity. The penalty was the loss of tax-exempt status. This is a heavy price to pay for exercising free speech.

You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free – John 8:32

REF:

Barton, Dan. Foundations of American Government. Wallbuilders.

Barton, Dan. America’s Godly Heritage. Wallbuilders.

Barton, Dan. Documents of Freedom. Wallbuilders.

Barton, Dan. Original Intent. Wallbuilders.

Barton, Dan. Spiritual Heritage. Wallbuilders.

Sekulow, Jay. It Does Matter. The American Center for Law and Justice.

Remember the Kingdom of His Love.

Trust in His Word

Never doubt what He says.

Be faithful to the end.

Till the day you see His face,

And call Him friend.

If you just trust and never doubt what He says

All good things will be added unto you.

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