First Freedom First

[Boston Critic]

Americans United for Separation of Church and State have started a nationwide campaign to get people to speak out and support the First Amendment on religious freedom -- freedom of religion and freedom from religion. (I write as an active member of my own faith.)

Check out their website and if you agree -- which you should -- you are encouraged to sign their petition.

[PirateJacque]

1. First Freedom First

separation of church and state isn't in the 1st amendment. surely, legislation cannot be passed which makes one religion the official religion, but church and state can coexist defacto (I.E. schools offering optional prayer services).

[Toeg]

2. The First Amendment Guarantees It

Wikipedia says so:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_church_and_state_in_the_United_States

"The phrase separation of church and state is a common interpretation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which reads, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . . ." The phrase itself does not appear in any founding American document, but it has been quoted in opinions by the United States Supreme Court. (The first such mention was in Reynolds v. United States, 98 U.S. 145 in 1878."

The First Amendment:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."