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.

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American court battles over separation

• 1947, the first instance of legal separation
• 1962, banning teacher-led prayer from public schools
• 1987, declared the Creation Act invalid, which had mandated the teaching of Creation if Evolution was taught
• 1992, banning prayers given by clergy as a part of an official public school graduation ceremony.

American activism in favor of separation

• Activists in favor, Americans United for Separation of Church and State
• Scholars in favor, with historical documents on-line
• ReligiousRightWatch Blog
• Freedom from Religion Foundation (Freethought)
• American Civil Liberties Union
• News and commentary on the Separation of Church and State from a liberal atheist
• North American Religious Liberty Association
• People for the American Way
• Interfaith Working Group
• Anti-Defamation League (Jewish)
• Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs
• Seventh-day Adventist Church State Council

Origins of the phrase

• The Federalist Papers
• Jeremiah Project
• The Myths of Separation of Church and State
• History of the Separtion of Church and State in America

Islamic activism in favor of separation

• Institute for the Secularisation of Islamic Society (ISIS)
• International Coalition Against Political Islam
• No to Political Islam