The myth of "Separation of Church and State"

[John Harrell <johnbharrell@yahoo.com>]

Sorry Mr. Tom Hansen,

But this is exactly the discussion we have been having. The misinterpretation
of language can cause many problems, or in some cases, the willful redefinition
of terms and language. In this case, the general public, you included, along 
with the media and the government schools, continue to foster the myth of 
"Separation of Church and State", based on an incorrect interpretation of the
1st amendment.

In Baer v. Kolmorgen, 1958, "Much has been written in recent years concerning
Thomas Jefferson's reference in 1802 to 'a wall of separation of church and 
state'... Jefferson's figure of speech has received so much attention that
one would almost think at times that it is to be found somewhere in our 
Constitution." - Baer v. Kolmorgen; 181 N.Y.S.2d. 230, 237 (Sup.Ct.N.Y. 1958)

As a note of interest, while the phrase "separation of church and state" is
not found in the United States Constitution, it is found in the Constitution
of the former Soviet Union: "Article 52: The church in the USSR is separated
from the state, and the school from the church."

William James, considered by many to be the father of modern psychology and
a strong advocate and early pioneer of the "separation" doctrine said, "There
is nothing so absurd but if you repeat it often enough people will believe it."

The phrase "separation of church and state" is taken from a letter from Thomas
Jefferson but has been taken out of context within the whole of Thomas Jeffersons 
letter. Jefferson was responding to concerns from Danbury Baptist that the 
federal government may impose a national Christian denomination as the official
religion. The 1st amendment was originally intended to make sure that there 
could not be a nationally sponsored Christian denomination; as each individual
state at the time had a different state sponsored Christian denomination, the
states felt that if the federal government would give preferance over one
denomination it could undermine those states that had a different sponsored
Christian denomination. So, Jefferson used the following words to calm the
fears of the Baptists, "I contemplate with solemn 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 separation between Church and State.

Cheers!

John Harrell






--- Tom Hansen <thansen@moscow.com> wrote:
> 
> John Harrell stated.
> 
> 1) there isn't anything in the constitution regarding "separation of church
> and state"; the current understanding by the general public is a fallacy;
> 
> No need to wait for the movie, Mr. Harrell.  Read the book.  It is called
> the First Amendment to the US Constitution.
> 
> "Congress shall make no law respecting an 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."
> 
> By my interpretation, the first ten words of this amendment pretty much sum
> it up.
> 
> Atheists have no holidays,
> 
> Tom Hanse
> Moscow, Idaho
> 


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