Americans United for Separation of Church and State

By: Adam Fishman

Thomas Jefferson wrote a letter to Danbury, Connecticut Baptists on Jan. 1, 1802. The letter contained the famous “wall of separation between church and state” metaphor. The Bill of Rights was ratified on Dec. 15, 1791; the first amendment contained in the document vehemently states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” Conflicts have always been present in U.S. society in regards to the separation of church and state. What exactly does the separation of church and state mean?

According to Americans United for Separation of Church and State, it is a concept in law whereby the structures of state or national government are kept separate from those of religious institutions. The concept has long been a topic of political debate. What exactly is Americans United, that they can make such an interpretation? Americans United is a non-profit educational organization founded in 1947 by a broad coalition of religious, educational, and civic leaders. Americans United aim is to protect the idea of separation between church and state. They believe that all Americans have the constitutional right to practice the religion of their choice, or to refrain from practice as their conscience dictates. The government must remain neutral on religious practices. This has been a guiding principle of Americans United since the organization was founded.

The organization is located on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., with a staff of more than 40 employees. Americans of all religious and philosophical backgrounds have joined forces under the Americans United banner to defend the separation of church and state. The separation between church and state must be upheld in America today and throughout the rest of our years as a nation. Americans United is at the forefront of defending the concept, tackling real life issues such as “faith-based initiatives,” church politicking, government-sponsored religion, and religion in public schools.

Faith-based initiatives are a euphemism for taxpayer-supported religion. The initiative funnels taxpayer dollars to religious social service providers without adequate safeguards to prevent proselytism. In addition, these groups seek to discriminate in hiring based on religion even though their programs are publicly funded. Church politicking is when houses of worship attempt to intervene in partisan politics by endorsing or opposing candidates. Pulpit-based electioneering not only violates federal law, many believe it corrupts the true mission of our faith communities.

The Constitution bars government from meddling in religion. Government should be neutral on theological matters and not seek to sponsor, promote or further faith, therefore, government-sponsored religion is illegal. In addition, religion in public schools is inappropriate. Public schools serve children from a variety of religious and philosophical backgrounds. The classroom is not the place for school-sponsored worship. School officials should not prescribe prayers, or teach religious doctrines such as creationism in the classroom.

More information can be found about Americans United for Separation of Church and State at www.au.org.