Should The Doctrine Of Separation Between Church And State Be Interpreted In A Way That Is Favorable To Public Worship And Acknowledgement Of God?

The separation of Church and State has been controversial since the birth of the country. Religion is an important concern of the American culture because it is so rich and diverse. Many people argue that the government must encourage religious belief and practice but that it is not possible due to some policies and court rulings that have been established to undercut religious activity such as the public worship and acknowledgment of God. Still other people, including myself, believe that the First Amendment, which mentions the separation of church and state, does not literally state that the nation is opposed to religion but that it is there to create respect within the many religious beliefs in the country. To better understand this controversial topic it is necessary to understand its history.

The separation of Church and State was mentioned in a letter written by Thomas Jefferson as a response to an address made by the Danbury Baptists. Historians argue that he focused on the protection of religious freedom and in mentioning how the First Amendment of the Constitution erected a wall separating church and state. His letter became a milestone regarding the interpretation of the First Amendment. James Madison also mentioned such separation in a letter written to Robert Walsh in 1819. He mentions how the distinction between religion and civil government is necessary for the purity of both. This idea is reflected in the Virginia Statute for Religious freedom which was written by Thomas Jefferson and also supported by James Madison. Many arguments have risen in favor of the public worship and acknowledgement of God because of the different conclusions that can be drawn from Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and other events throughout history.

Thomas Jefferson was influenced by the English philosopher John Locke which published "A Letter Concerning Toleration." In his letter Locke argues that the magistrate has no power to force by law the use of any rites or forms of worship. It is because of that statement that many arrive to the conclusion that Jefferson was trying to state that the government cannot dictate one's form of worship or articles of faith. This translated to others that not all public worship of God must be stopped. The pursuit for engaging in worship was the reason that the doctrine of separation between church and state was created. James Madison was another framer that helped make the distinction between church and state more clear.

James Madison approved the First Amendment's Establishment Clause which purpose was to keep sects from gaining an advantage over another through politics. It does not mention denying public worship or public acknowledgement of God. Madison wanted to protect religion from politics so he made sure that the Establishment Clause was followed by the Free Exercise Clause. After this, the First Amendment stated that congress cannot make any law that establishes a national religion or prohibiting the free exercise of one. A relatively recent legal battle demonstrates how controversial this issue is.

During 1997 a case surged in DeKalb County, Alabama. A Federal district court concluded that a brief prayer made by a student during a high school graduation was in violation of the First Amendment because it forced unwilling citizens to take part in the religious activity. A lot of people argued that nothing in the Constitution states that it will prevent any individual from experiencing things that are disagreeable or insulting. Judge Roy Moore from Alabama said, "To outlaw the public acknowledgement of God simply because another student might have to witness it is as illogical as abandoning a school mascot or motto because it might not be every student's favorite or because some might not believe in school spirit." There are valid points that go in favor of publicly acknowledging God but I believe that it is just a matter of interpretation and that the points that go against this issue more than offset the ones that go in favor.

Thomas Jefferson and Madison were central in drafting the constitution. Their view of erecting a wall between church and state is more in keeping with the essence of the constitution. Thomas Jefferson believed that by creating a wall between church and state and regarding this he said, "It could protect free inquiry and, by doing so, aid the process by which a purified Christianity housed in reason rather than