Separation of Church and State

Separation of Church and State Original Intent

The origin of the separation of church and state is often attributed to the following documents. • Mayflower Compact • Declaration of Independence • Articles of Confederation • Constitution • Bill of Rights • George Washington’s First Inaugural Address • Common Sense by Thomas Paine • A letter written by Thomas Jefferson

The Mayflower Compact INCORRECT It was a document written in 1620 by the passengers of the Mayflower after they landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts where their royal charter was not in effect. It that established a democratic civil government which clearly acknowledged their loyalty to the King and was modeled after their own Congregationalist churches.

Declaration of Independence INCORRECT It was a document written in 1776 Thomas Jefferson and a committee of four others. It outlines principles of government, grievances against the King, colonists attempts to avoid the declaration and the actual declaration itself.

Constitution of the United States INCORRECT It was a document written in 1787 creating a federal form of government. It consists of a preamble, stating the purposes of American government, and seven articles outlining the structure of the national government.

Articles of Confederation INCORRECT Written in 1776, it was the first written plan of government for the United States. It created a loose association of states and under it provisions the states “fought and won the War for Independence, negotiated a brilliant peace settlement, and created a functioning bureaucracy.” (National Archives, 2011)

Bill of Rights INCORRECT Written in 1789 and ratified in 1791, it is the first ten amendments to the Constitution . Unlike the Constitution which is the framework of the national government, it lists the rights the government much guarantee the people.

Bill of Rights The Bill of Rights is one of the most important documents in American History. It was considered essential by many people when the Constitution was written and guarantees individual rights and protections. In addition, it limits the power of the national government.

Thomas Paine’s Common Sense INCORRECT “Published in 1776, Common Sense challenged the authority of the British government and the royal monarchy. The plain language that Paine used spoke to the common people of America and was the first work to openly ask for independence from Great Britain.” (Independence Hall Association, 2011)

Washington’s First Inaugural Address INCORRECT After taking the oath of office in the balcony of Federal Hall in New York, President Washington delivered his Inaugural Address to a joint session of Congress where he “humbly noted the power of the nations' call for him to serve as president and the shared responsibility of the president and Congress to preserve "the sacred fire of liberty" and a republican form of government.” (National Archives, 2011)

Thomas Jefferson’s letter to the Danbury Baptist Association CORRECT Written on January 1, 1802 as a response to an address from the Danbury (Conn.) Baptist Association congratulating him upon his election as president. It contains the phrase “a wall of separation between church and state.” (Hutson, 1998)

The Letter from the Danbury Baptists The Election of 1800 between Thomas Jefferson was particularly nasty election. In addition to many insults hurled by the Federalists, Jefferson was accused of being an atheist. A charge that insulted Jefferson and worried many people of faith, including the Danbury Baptist Association. In an attempt to ascertain where Jefferson stood on freedom of religion issue, the Association drafted a letter to the new President to inquire about this feelings regarding the issue of government and religion

The Letter from the Danbury Baptists To Thomas Jefferson, Esq., President of the United States of America Sir,Among the many millions in America and Europe who rejoice in your election to office, we embrace the first opportunity which we have enjoyed in our collective capacity, since your inauguration , to express our great satisfaction in your appointment to the Chief Magistracy in the Unite States. And though the mode of expression may be less courtly and pompous than what many others clothe their addresses with, we beg you, sir, to believe, that none is more sincere. Our sentiments are uniformly on the side of religious liberty: that Religion is at all times and places a matter between God and individuals, that no man ought to suffer in name, person, or effects on account of his religious opinions, [and] that the legitimate power of civil government extends no further than to punish the man who works ill to his neighbor. But sir, our constitution of government is not specific. Our ancient charter, together with the laws made coincident therewith, were adapted as the basis of our government at the time of our revolution. And such has been our laws and usages, and such still are, [so] that Religion is considered as the first object of Legislation, and therefore what religious privileges we enjoy (as a minor part of the State) we enjoy as favors granted, and not as inalienable rights. And these favors we receive at the expense of such degrading acknowledgments, as are inconsistent with the rights of freemen. It is not to be wondered at therefore, if those who seek after power and gain, under the pretense of government and Religion, should reproach their fellow men, [or] should reproach their Chief Magistrate, as an enemy of religion, law, and good order, because he will not, dares not, assume the prerogative of Jehovah and make laws to govern the Kingdom of Christ. Sir, we are sensible that the President of the United States is not the National Legislator and also sensible that the national government cannot destroy the laws of each State, but our hopes are strong that the sentiment of our beloved President, which have had such genial effect already, like the radiant beams of the sun, will shine and prevail through all these States--and all the world--until hierarchy and tyranny be destroyed from the earth. Sir, when we reflect on your past services, and see a glow of philanthropy and goodwill shining forth in a course of more than thirty years, we have reason to believe that America's God has raised you up to fill the Chair of State out of that goodwill which he bears to the millions which you preside over. May God strengthen you for the arduous task which providence and the voice of the people have called you--to sustain and support you and your Administration against all the predetermined opposition of those who wish to rise to wealth and importance on the poverty and subjection of the people. And may the Lord preserve you safe from every evil and bring you at last to his Heavenly Kingdom through Jesus Christ our Glorious Mediator. Signed in behalf of the Association, Neh,h Dodge }Eph'm Robbins } The CommitteeStephen S. Nelson }

President Jefferson’s Response to the Danbury Baptists It took from October 7th until December 30th for the letter to reach President Jefferson. Ironically, he responded in less than 3 days that included a holiday and asking two important associates to review the letter. What inferences can you draw from Jefferson’s timing of the response?

After 200 years the original thoughts are no longer a mystery… What were the significant issues that Jefferson spoke to in his letter? Notice that the letter has been significantly edited. CLICK HERE to see what the FBI recently uncovered and to read more about the FBI’s work and the significance of the Jefferson’s deleted words.

Historical Perspective Jefferson used two very important terms in his letter that have lost their importance in 200 years. He referred to natural rights and inalienable rights. In 1802, natural rights referred to “the which the Books of the Law and Gospel to contain” – in essence, rights that God guaranteed to man in the scriptures. (Hooker, 1845) Inalienable was thought be mean God-given and only removable by God.

What About the Other Founders? From June 7 to September 25, 1789, the Bill of Rights was drafted. The Annals of Congress recorded the debates and discussion of the 90 members of Congress in attendance. It is interesting to note that there is not a sign mention of the separation of church and state by even one member of the framers of the Bill of Rights. (Barton, 2001)

Resources: • Danbury (CT) Baptist Association. (1801, October 7). Letter of Oct. 7, 1801 from Danbury Baptist Assoc. to Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson Papers, Manuscript Division . Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress. • Everson v. Board of Education (United States Supreme Court 1947). • (1995). Everson v. the Board of Education. In Government in America: Supreme Court Cases (pp. 95-97). Houghton-Mifflin. • Famous Presidential Quotes. (2011). Retrieved September 26, 2011, from American Prophecy: http://americainprophecy.com/famous-presidential-quotes-separation-church-state.asp • First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. (1791, December 15). • (1995). Government in America. In Government in America: Supreme Court Cases. Houghton-Mifflin. • Hutson, J. (1998, May). A Wall of Separation. Retrieved September 19, 2011, from Library of Congress: http://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/9806/danbury.html • Jefferson, T. (1904). Letter to the Danbury Baptists. In e. Albert E. Bergh, The Writings of Thomas Jefferson (pp. Vol. XVI, pp. 281-282). Washington, DC: The Thomas Jefferson Memorial Association of the United States. • Library of Congress. (2011). Retrieved October 7, 2011, from Library of Congress: http://archives.gov/exhibits/charters/bill_of_rights.html • McCollum v. Board of Education (United States Supreme Court 1948). • Wallbuilders. (2011). The Separation of Church and State. Retrieved September 19, 2011, from Wallbuilders: http://www.wallbuilders.com

Separation of Church and State