Church and State: The Establishment Clause in America Today Aaron Porter ENG 122 Dr. Dwight Paulsen August 19, 2013 Church and State: The Establishment Clause in America Today The Founding Fathers worked to establish a free and independent nation. One of the key issues that resulted in the American Revolution is that of Freedom of Religion. The goal of the Framer’s was to establish a society free of government control of religion. The First Amendment to the constitution guarantees that right for all American citizens. While the country was founded on religious beliefs, the separation of church and state is necessary for religious freedom because it leads to better foreign relations, protects the church, and protects democracy.
The simple fact that the declaration gives power to the legislature to command the people to attend religious teachings is irrefutable evidence that Massachusetts felt that there should be a connection between church and state. Also, the fact that the public can use their taxes for the maintenance of the public houses of worship and religious instruction “to promote their happiness and to secure the good order and preservation of their government” also lends its support. The declaration, at times, reads vague and confusing. Its exact message may seem unclear, but the point seems to be that Massachusetts, while in favor of some individual religious rights, wants to keep a handle on just how far those rights can extend. The Virginia Statute of Religious Liberty conveys the far-reaching
The 1st amendment I chose to do this paper on the first amendment. This amendment alows us to have freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and the freedom of expression. These freedoms were essential to the creating, and upkeeping of the United States. If it were not forthese rights, we could end up having a dictator, or living in complete fear of the government. The freedom of religion is essential in keeping an open mind, and kepping the principles this government as started on.
Another example is that voters in elections may decide which candidate to vote for according to his/her religion. This type of role of religion in politics appears to be legitimate and, I believe, would never go away. In addition, religion is often seen to enter our public political debate primarily as a voice on certain moral issues. I think this type of role of religion in politics should be welcomed because different groups of citizens could accept the same conclusions from quite different arguments. So religion should be a private affair having nothing to do with the public affairs.
The principles are known as freedom of religion and separation of church and state. The first clause of the amendment is known as the establishment clause, and the second is known as the free exercise clause. I believe freedom of religion is necessary in order for a democracy to function. People need to be able to exercise the basic right to have beliefs and ideologies. I think it is the First Amendment for a reason, because it is extremely important.
The State will not allow him to. Why? The state believes in the words of the Bible and the Bible says no to gay marriage. The U.S. Bill of Rights, which is part of the U.S. Constitution which is what the States and Country are supposed to base legislature and justified thoughts on, gives ALL citizens freedom and “freedom from religion” in the first amendment. The State should not be allowed to restrict someone of their rights based on a certain religion.
if you have different beliefs you must worship in secret. Our country has a Constitution that protectsour freedom and rights. The second amendment allows us to speak out against our government.in other countries you could be thrown in jail or killed for speaking out. America celebrates peoples' differences. We have cultural diversity.
respecting an establishment of religion[->23], impeding the free exercise of religion[->24], What does the 1st Amendment say about porn? Guarantees that the government will not abridge the freedom of speech, or of the
The argument is that the constitution states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof". (US Constitution 1802). The courts have erroneously upheld that the separation of church and state prohibits church/government unions. What the courts have failed to understand it that the said amendment to the Constitution is to protect religious freedoms not to hinder or prohibit churches and government from uniting for a common
First, lets start with the Constitutions Preamble. In the Preamble it states establishing justice and promote the general welfare. This is talked about in the Mayflower Compact in the sentence, “…constitute, and frame, such just and equall laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions, and offices…” As you can see these words do resemble part of the preamble in the U.S. Constitution stating that there will be laws and justice that are for the interest of the people. Next, I found that amendment number one in the Constitution has some relation to a sentence in the Mayflower Compact. The first amendment states, “Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression.” The Compact states, “Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith…” As you can see the pilgrims were practicing there own religion of Christianity and no one was there to tell them they couldn’t worship that so they had freedom of religion as seen in the first amendment.