Separation of Church and State

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. 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. [b] I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection & blessing of the common father and creator of man[/b], and tender you for yourselves & your religious association, assurances of my high respect & esteem. Th Jefferson Jan. 1. 1802. So you see, back then they didn`t think that separation of church and state means creating an atheist state, but a state where all religions are allowed and threated the same way because in the end we all have a common father and creator of man.

Take a look at the dollar bills a bit.On the left, it is the all seeing eye and on the right, it is horus. These two elements are not part of churches. They actually belong in temples. Also the term God can mean any God and not just the Christian one. So in a way, the church is still separate from the state. It feels nice to say one nation under God. I don't see any problem with it. In fact it is rather broad. So when saying that line a Freemason can feel he is getting close to his Horus. A Christian would think of his God and a Muslim would mediate on his own God. As for atheists, they perhaps, do not believe in Christianity, but majority of them do feel that there is a super national power out there who is running the world. So the line would simply keep most people happy.

Hi MaylaJay, philosophy states that human beings need to be attached to a superior being. Finally they mention God, sadly they don´t mention Jesuschrist. Just a vague figure "God". But in fact, they are attached to a superior being to justify efforts. Blessings Maylajay... dainy

It is impossible to separate the church from the state when the vast majority of those in charge of the state are members of the church. It's as simple as that. Loopholes and grey areas will always be found, and that little thing called "tradition" will always be there to fall back on. To want separation causes many religious people (as seen around here already) to claim that atheists want to take over and to impose on everyone. Yeah. Oh, the persecution. My take on this has always been simple. Change "God" to "Allah" and watch the widespread panic. Then we'll see more people actually wanting a more defined separation.

There is not a separation of church and state though there should be for many laws. However, I agree with one poster in the sense that God is such a broad term as people tend to interpret things differently. I never said the pledge of allegiance because I didn't agree with it and for my high school at least there was no prayer before and after. I do think things should change a bit though. As for the money, I don't think people pay much more attention to money than the numbers printed on it to make sure they can buy something or pay for something. As for the pledge of allegiance they should just get rid of it and people of any faith should agree. Seriously, you want your child to believe in God and then pledge their allegiance to a flag or country of man. Another thing you missed if the need to get married either by a legal justice OR established religious official who is ordained. However, atheist may not want just a legal justice but another atheist to marry them or for a wiccan a handfasting. I think they should either recognize every single deity and religion (or lack thereof) or none at all.

Not really. The government wants to take prayer and God out of school. The government has nothing to do with religion accept for the Catholic Hierarchy, which is a system that is similar to the state legislature.