Q: #4. Does the constitution really say that church and state should be separate?
A: You sure would think so based on how often you hear politicians, lawmakers, judges, and many others, even clergy at times… stating that the constitution says church and state should be separate. Amazingly, however, the constitution says no such thing. On the contrary, the founders of this country, and creators of the constitution, established it on God, and with Biblical principles at the center of it. It is quite sad to hear this myth propagated year after year by those who haven’t even bothered to find out if the constitution says that or not. It doesn’t.
Since the constitution was originally created, amendments have been added to it over time. The first 10 amendments to the constitution are known as “The Bill Of Rights.” They were ratified in 1791.
Amendment 1 of the constitution deals with the “Freedom of Religion, Press, and Expression.” It states:
“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.”
So, in short, Congress cannot establish a religion nor can it prohibit anyone from practicing a religion. This amendment to the constitution is what is being used to tell Americans that the government should have nothing to do with anything pertaining to God. It says no such thing…