Quote:
Originally Posted by MasTequila
The seperation of church and state is a Communist idea, NOT an American idea. The United States was founded by people seeking freedom from a government intolerant of their religion. Thus the passage limiting the peoples right to freely express their religion, speech, press and assemble.
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The phrase came into popular usage because Jefferson used it. No it didn't make it into the Constitution, but it was an idea some of the founders liked.
What got into the Constitution was a compromise between those who wanted religion divorced from government and those who think that would lead to the collapse of civilization.
Been a conentious issue ever since.
At any rate, I don't think the seperation of Church and State suggested by Jefferson is to be taken the same way the Soviets took it. Freedom from and freedom of religion go hand in hand.