United States
Fact-checked

At UnitedStatesNow, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

Does the United States Have Separation of Church and State?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution, commonly known as part of the Bill of Rights, states in part that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." Much later, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 made broad strokes to prohibit discrimination based on religion or association with those of any religion. A key court case that helped further the concept of separation of church and state was the 1947 Supreme Court Case known as Everson v. Board of Education, in which it was considered a misappropriation of funds to use school moneys to transport children to religious events. In 1962, this separation extend further by prohibiting group prayer in school, especially as composed or organized by teachers or administrators.

Despite these laws, the separation of church and state remains a hot button issue, with many other legal actions pending against various government or public agencies that would seem by their actions to endorse a specific religion. In the main, much of the way the US government works is not specifically tied to any church. Political candidates have certainly used their own religious status to appeal to those of similar religious views, however.

The Pledge of Allegiance includes the phrase "one nation under God."
The Pledge of Allegiance includes the phrase "one nation under God."

It’s hard to argue that the separation is complete in the US. The postal service, for instance, doesn’t deliver mail on Sunday, which makes no sense to those who celebrate the Jewish Sabbath, occurring on Saturday. Similarly, Christmas is a federal holiday, but Hannukah is not, nor Rosh Hashanah. Government offices don’t observe the fasting practices of Ramadan.

In courts, people swear to tell the truth by placing a hand on the Bible.
In courts, people swear to tell the truth by placing a hand on the Bible.

US currency and the Pledge of Allegiance (not taken by Jehovah’s Witnesses) also reference God, although they don't refer to a specific religion. There has been recent movement to strike the "under God" reference from the Pledge of Allegiance, but any pledge to a flag may be construed by some religious groups as placing a nation above God.

As for prayer in public schools, the idea of separation of church and state gets muddied and laws become very difficult to interpret. In some schools, even calling for a moment of silence is considered as crossing into dangerous territory, yet many US presidents sign off on presidential addresses by entreating God to bless America. Further, some people will not vote for presidential (or any political) candidates who do not go to church or who have a religion that they feel conflicts their own. So religion does have some influence on who runs the US, and who stands in office.

Many people consider the separation of church and state to be guaranteed by the First Amendment.
Many people consider the separation of church and state to be guaranteed by the First Amendment.

In courts across the nation, people may swear that their testimony is true on a bible, and there are several states where political officials take oaths that include the words God. Chaplains are employed by the military, and military officers may pray at meals, though this is voluntary. It’s fairly clear from these examples that separation between church and state isn’t whole and entire. It’s also clear that the framers of the US Constitution built specific moral codes into the work that suggest a belief in God, and though the intent may have been that one church should not have control over the government, it may not have been to strike out belief in God or recognize commonalities among many Christian groups, making the US a "God fearing nation" or marking currency with statements like "in God we trust."

Rulings by the United States Supreme Court have strengthened the separation of church and state concept.
Rulings by the United States Supreme Court have strengthened the separation of church and state concept.

The question then of whether separation of church and state exists in the US is one under constant scrutiny. There are those who argue that the state minimally involves reference to any "church," and others who argue that a Christian religious viewpoint remains a constant influence over the government and is preferenced by the state. Each US citizen must ask if this matters, and if so, how much; if the practice of a specific religion within state context impinges on the rights of others or insult their free practice of religion; and how much people have divided church and state and if more or less division purposeful or useful.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent UnitedStatesNow contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent UnitedStatesNow contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon956378

It is my belief that we as a nation must pray for our people in government. We have to get through to our representatives that we are not a country of people who have abandoned God, but rather that we need God all the more!

We live in this one nation under God, where we have the freedom to believe in God.

I am a Christian who believes that we all need God to fulfill our lives! I love my Creator, my God Almighty.

anon956376

This great nation of ours was started by a bunch of Christian men who believed the governing body of this nation should not force anyone to practice any one particular means of worshiping God. But they also believed in the authority of God and the sovereign power of the Holy Spirit to guide us in the moral decisions for every decision that has to be made, both then and now.

FitzMaurice

@GigaGold

I see what you are saying, but I think there also need to be certain parameters and moral bases for a country to function properly on principles of freedom. Freedom does not equal anarchy. As such, there is a due process based on universally recognized morals and a Judeo-Christian ethic.

GigaGold

In Britain, the religion of the monarch determined an important part of determining the religion of the people of the nation. With no monarchy or king in America, there is no fear of repercussions for religious freedom and free thinking. This is the key to a free nation.

ShadowGenius

America was established for the free exercise of religion, as well as a foundation of a society based on values of freedom. The basis for this society was a quasi-Christian basis, but certainly not fundamentalist. It is important to recognize our Christian moral basis, but also to be sure that the government does not infringe on religious freedom of any kind. This kind of line is ambiguous to most people.

anon123605

very clear,understanding, and helpful!

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • The Pledge of Allegiance includes the phrase "one nation under God."
      By: Katrina Brown
      The Pledge of Allegiance includes the phrase "one nation under God."
    • In courts, people swear to tell the truth by placing a hand on the Bible.
      By: qingwa
      In courts, people swear to tell the truth by placing a hand on the Bible.
    • Many people consider the separation of church and state to be guaranteed by the First Amendment.
      By: TeX HeX
      Many people consider the separation of church and state to be guaranteed by the First Amendment.
    • Rulings by the United States Supreme Court have strengthened the separation of church and state concept.
      By: Bastos
      Rulings by the United States Supreme Court have strengthened the separation of church and state concept.
    • A law was passed in 1962 prohibiting group prayer in public schools.
      By: Magdalena Kucova
      A law was passed in 1962 prohibiting group prayer in public schools.
    • Some argue the Christian viewpoint remains extremely influential over the government.
      By: Gordana Sermek
      Some argue the Christian viewpoint remains extremely influential over the government.