What does "Separation of Church and State" mean?

Red

Separation of Church and State prevents Congress from enforcing religion on the American people.

It does NOT mean, as most people decry, that religion is to be completely removed from politics. It just means that Congress can't force the nation to be a certain religion. It came from the founding fathers remembering England, whose religion would change every time a new royal family came into power, the entire country was whatever religion the king/queen was.

On a personal level, I don't feel religion has any place in politics, but that's just my opinion. What the Separation of Church and State means though, is no government mandated religion. Nothing more, nothing less.

Joe Bloggs

It means that the church shouldn't meddle in politics and the government shouldn't meddle with churches.

Samm

it means that the government will have nothing to do with/ or be influenced by any religion. the government wont declare a national religion and a person can not be denied or given an official government office because of a specific religion or lack there of, so yes you are right church and state(government) should and must be separated.

spamissatanic

A!

Think about this:

If you do religion the way that the GOV likes,
You get a big fat juicy tax exemption
However, if you do NOT do religion the way that the GOV likes
you get absolutely NOTHING!

Can U dig it?

Gee I wish I could operate a tax exempt exclusive club!

sophieb

In some countries their country is ruled by the elders of their church or religion. In America it's not that way. People here are free to choose their own religion and worship as they please, and our Government is run by elected officials who are voted in and they aren't chosen by religion. That's what it means by separation..they are separate entities.

frer partridge peartree

"Church" in this case means an established religion(underline last 2 words); if you don't belong, adhere, or accept, you're a pariah..an outcast. Just ask the Taliban, or any old medieval pope.

Clayton A

Separation of Church and State means a specific Church does not dictate the laws of a nation, nor does the nation dictate the laws of the Church.

Separation of Church and State does not mean that the State can't have the same values incorporated into it's laws such as murder, theft, etc.

Islamic nations are a good example of govenments goverened by Islamic Church laws.

Israel is an other good example too.

acehi18

NOT A DAMN THING.. its all a bunch of BULL.

class of 2012

Sepration of Church and States means that, under the federal constitution, the church has all rights to preactice its religion without government interference.

Basically the church has all rights to practice..lets say mormon.. without the government saying they cant.

however this might chnage with the new President in office.

Ella

Yeah man, I'm confused over here too.

Rick

IT MEANS THE CHURCH CAN GET AWaY WITH NOT PAYING TAXES! THE STATE SAYS THEY OWE!

matt

It means FINANCIAL separation. The state, federal, or WHATEVER government; locally or nationwide, does not share money. The state/federal gov. does not give the church (1/more) any cut(pay) from the taxes coming in. (e.g. road construction, road makers/organizers get paid from taxes.) Therefore that is the reason Christians (such as myself) tithe 10% of my income (which isn't much). THAT's ALL!

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