The idea of separation of church and state dates back to before the original colonies. When settlers were traveling to the Americas to escape the religious persecution of England. This eventually led to the revolutionary war and separating ourselves from England to become a free nation. Colonist were looking for a place where there was religious toleration, political democracy, and above all a separation of church and state. The separation of church and state is not an actually real thing or phrase in any amendment or in the constitution, it is an idea that is protected under those documents. The first phrase that stated “the separation of church and state” was made by Thomas Jefferson in 1802. Jefferson stated, in his letter to the Danbury Baptist Association, “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, prohibiting the free exercise …show more content…
The answer is not always as simple as one would like but it is yes and no. The exact phrase “separation of church and state” is not in the constitution, but the concept behind it is. The constitution states congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion. Also, the government cannot prohibit such religions to practice their rules or doctrines. The point of such an amendment is twofold. First, it ensures that religious beliefs - private or organized - are removed from attempted government control. This is the reason why the government cannot tell either you or your church what to believe or to teach. Second, it ensures that the government does not get involved with enforcing, mandating, or promoting particular religious doctrines. Another aspect of church and state can be found in the first amendment, where you can see the implication of the separation of church and