Separation of church and state

The separation of church and state is a concept and philosophy in modern thought and practice, whereby the structures of state or national government are proposed as needing to be separate from those of religious institutions. The concept has long been a topic of political debate throughout history. The term "church" in Western civilization is usually associated with Christianity. However, the phrase as a whole refers to religion and religious institutions in general and its/their relationship to government. In countries where other religions are dominant, the words mosque, temple, or synagogue are often substituted.

Related Topics:
State - Government - Religious - Political - Christianity - Mosque - Temple - Synagogue

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In the United States, separation of church and state is governed by the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and by legal precedents, some quite controversial, interpreting that clause. Many other Western governments around the world have similar clauses in their respective constitutions. The actual term, "separation of church and state", does not appear in the constitution, but rather comes from a letter written by Thomas Jefferson to a group identifying themselves as the Danbury Baptists.

Related Topics:
Establishment Clause - First Amendment - U.S. Constitution - Thomas Jefferson - Danbury Baptists

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There are a variety of views regarding the degree of separation that should exist between church and state. Some, often referred to as secularists, assert that state should be kept entirely separate from religion. Others assert that the state ought to be permitted to become involved with religion (such as by giving financial support), but ought not establish one religion as the state religion, require religious observance, or legislate dogma. Others, sometimes known as theocrats, assert that the state should be inseparable from religion, and advocate an established church. The strongest form of established church, where religious law and authority are used to set state policy, is known as a theocracy. A topic related to established churches is civil religion.

Related Topics:
Secularists - State religion - Theocrats - Established church - Civil religion

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The separation of church and state is related to freedom of religion, but the two concepts are different and one should not infer hastily that countries with a state church do not necessarily have freedom of religion, nor should one infer that a country without a state church necessarily enjoys freedom of religion.

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While there are many states that permit freedom of religious belief, none allow completely unrestricted freedom of religious practice. Usually state law takes precedence over the free exercise of religious belief, which means that laws against actions such as bigamy, sex with children, human sacrifice, or any crime can be enforced even if such practices are part of a group's religious beliefs.

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