"separation of Church and State" as implied by the Constitution was originally intended to keep the government from dictating and controlling religion. Also, to keep the church from providing political puppets to rule in it's favor. It was never intended to be weilded as a device to eradicate all religous content from every government-sponsored activity.
by Mace October 16, 2003
In America, the purpose of separation of church and state is to avoid 'excessive entanglement' of the two institutions. An important court ruling on the subject led to the Lemon Test, which holds three conditions on a government's actions: that it must have a legitimate secular purpose, must not have the primary effect of either advancing or inhibiting religion, and must not result in an "excessive entanglement" of the government and religion.
by parody February 19, 2005
Neilsen: "Dude, I need to Separate Church and State"
Walsh: "Shut up. Nobody wants to hear that."
Kimball: "Yeah, you do, I can smell it"
Walsh: "Shut up. Nobody wants to hear that."
Kimball: "Yeah, you do, I can smell it"
by jetmannnn October 9, 2010
The idea that government shall favor no religion for another or make no law that is bias toward one religion and not another.
What it does not say is that elected officials can not be religious. It says they should make no law that favors religion or display favoritism in a public government institution.
Putting a cross in the back of your office is fine, displaying a statue of the ten commandments in front of a court house is not.
What it does not say is that elected officials can not be religious. It says they should make no law that favors religion or display favoritism in a public government institution.
Putting a cross in the back of your office is fine, displaying a statue of the ten commandments in front of a court house is not.
What? Can't buy beer on Sundays in some states, that violates separation of Church and State.
What? "In God We Trust" on coinage, the government is favoring Christianity over other religions. I feel this violates separation of church and state. I shouldn't have to be preached inside of a court house or inside of a school. If I want to hear preaching, I could go to church or temple or a mosque or whatever else their is.
What? "In God We Trust" on coinage, the government is favoring Christianity over other religions. I feel this violates separation of church and state. I shouldn't have to be preached inside of a court house or inside of a school. If I want to hear preaching, I could go to church or temple or a mosque or whatever else their is.
by booser March 19, 2005
Perhaps the most ignored and misunderstood part of the 1st Amendment, even the whole damn Constitution. This concept derives from the establishment and free exercise clauses of the 1st Amendment.
The government CANNOT give preference to any religion, yet we still have "in God We Trust" on our currency, "One nation under God" in our Pledge of Allegiance, and legal marriage rights are dictated by the Church.
There may be no restrictions on religion.... well almost. Numerous Supreme Court cases have allowed for some restrictions (no polygamy for mormons, no peyote use for some native american religions, and no animal sacrifices for some religions, i guess) but these restrictions are for EVERYONE, not just against a particular group (so it's technically not discrimination).
Essentially, people are free to BELIEVE what they want (even if they aren't allowed to PRACTICE their beliefs in some cases) and people are free FROM religion.
The government CANNOT give preference to any religion, yet we still have "in God We Trust" on our currency, "One nation under God" in our Pledge of Allegiance, and legal marriage rights are dictated by the Church.
There may be no restrictions on religion.... well almost. Numerous Supreme Court cases have allowed for some restrictions (no polygamy for mormons, no peyote use for some native american religions, and no animal sacrifices for some religions, i guess) but these restrictions are for EVERYONE, not just against a particular group (so it's technically not discrimination).
Essentially, people are free to BELIEVE what they want (even if they aren't allowed to PRACTICE their beliefs in some cases) and people are free FROM religion.
Thank God (Ironic? I think not) that there is such a thing as Separation of Church and State. Imagine being forced to believe a certain way or being punished by law for believing something.
Marriage is both a legal and religious institution. WTF? Don't we have separation of church and state?
Guess what? I believe that a giant spaghetti monster sits on a throne of meatballs and laughs at all of humanity's follies. I can believe what I want.
Marriage is both a legal and religious institution. WTF? Don't we have separation of church and state?
Guess what? I believe that a giant spaghetti monster sits on a throne of meatballs and laughs at all of humanity's follies. I can believe what I want.
by AnySensiblePerson September 15, 2009
In today's hyper connected world, 6 degrees of seperation is somewhat outdated. If your online and using sites like Facebook, Bebo, Okurt or Myspace (or multiples of them) you're only 5 steps away from everyone in the world not 6.
After talking to Conner at the party for awhile, Hannah realized she recognized him from a comment he left on her friend's Facebook wall. 5 degrees of separation in the flesh.
by avant/chi fan January 15, 2009
by thegirlcanwrite July 28, 2010