<< I need to use it as part of my speech class. ... so far I have got conflicting ideas.. can someone clear it up in layman terms.
from what I understand its not to allow other religions to thrive in our schools?? am i right? >>
Separation of church and state goes beyond schools. In fact, when the First Amendment was written, public schools weren't even thought of.
The concept is meant to keep government religiously neutral, to guarantee religious freedom for all. Our Founding Fathers were students of The Age of Enlightenment; a time when the popular philosophy was to break from nearly 1000 years of religiously based government, and government control of religion. Individual liberty and freedom of religion was the basic tenants of Age of Enlightenment philosophy. Up until our Constitution, every European country had a king with "divine right" of rule. Our First Amendment, as well as the rest of the Constitution, was a landmark break from that tradition.
The concept is, plainly put, that a country cannot be free if the government meddles with religion, therefore religion cannot meddle with government, lest it become religiously based. It is, contrary to revisionist history, a two sided wall (as if there were any other kind of wall?).
The term "Separation of Church and State comes mainly from a letter written by Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptist association in reply to their fears that government would favor one religion over another, and therefore threaten religious liberty.
Here is the text of that letter:
To Messrs. Nehemiah Dodge, Ephraim Robbins, & Stephen S. Nelson, a committee of the Danbury Baptist association in the state of Connecticut.
Gentlemen
The affectionate sentiments of esteem and approbation which you are so good as to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist association, give me the highest satisfaction. My duties dictate a faithful & zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, & in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more and more pleasing.
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 delcared 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. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.
I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection & blessing of the common father and creator of man, and tender you for yourselves & your religious association, assurances of my high respect & esteem.
ThJefferson Jan. 1, 1802
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