Separation of Church and State!

Okay, let's do a look back into history at the Pilgrims. They came to America from England, Spain, and other countries. But why did they come over here?

They came to America for the chance to worship God under their own beliefs! In England, King George III had declared that everyone in England was a defacto member of the Church of England and no other denominations were allowed to practice there. In Spain, the King and Queen there did the same thing for Catholicism. It was a trend at that time for the leaders of the given countries to declare for their favorite denomination and demand that everyone under their rule be of that same denomination.

So the Pilgrims came to America with the desire to practice their own belief in God without being told how to do that by the State, or Government, under which they lived. Many of those who came to America did so because they adhered to their beliefs so profoundly that they were kicked out of every other European country. The Anabaptists are one such that come to mind.

So, when the Founders of our nation came together and spoke about Separation of Church and State, this is what they finally agreed upon: "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." This is the FIRST Amendment to the Constitution! Why the first? Probably because the Founders thought that this was the most important addendum to our government.

Please read it carefully. It specifically prohibits Congress from making laws pertaining to religion and the right of said religion to the free exercise of their own beliefs. It says NOTHING about religion not having the ability to influence the State! They did this on purpose!

The Founders of the US were very heavily influence by Christian beliefs as is clearly seen in the Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Therefore, in summation, it was fully expected by the Founders of our Nation, that the Church WOULD influence the State, yet the State would NOT govern the Church!

God bless you all this day!