Much has been said about the “separation of church and state” which is not written, as such, in our founding documents.
It comes from a letter that President Thomas Jefferson wrote to the Danbury Baptist Association of Connecticut.
Here is a portion of that letter: Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should “make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” thus building a wall of separation between Church & State. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.
I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection & blessing of the common father and creator of man, and tender you for yourselves & your religious association, assurances of my high respect & esteem.
Th Jefferson, Jan. 1. 1802.
If President Jefferson was intent on the church and the state having a complete separation of one another, then why would he end his letter with “I reciprocate your kind prayers…”?
The debate will continue throughout your lifetime.
The debate will also continue on the actual quotes on religious views from the Founding Fathers.
For me, the importance of Christianity is here and now.
We cannot live in the sayings and sentiments of the founders when it comes to a relationship with Jesus Christ.
It is written, let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load. Gal 6:4-5
The important thing today is YOUR relationship with Jesus.