The Challenging Issue of the Separation of Church and State :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

The Ch everyenging Issue of the Separation of Church and democracyWhen the first amendment was written it said Congress shall make no rectitude respecting and establishment or religion or prohibiting the free exercise thus This was written because America didnt want a mandatory spiritual system like that of England. American population didnt want independence from religion they simply wanted freedom of religion. Even the men who wrote the piece believed that God could do much more than man, in that respectfore they used the playscript to help form the governance. Our constitution has been amended and changed driven by the set up of modern controversies. The founding fathers did not intend to create a Christian nation. The Christian cross and American flag were displayed in public places with scarce any voice of dissent. Jefferson felt that he did not have the implicit in(p) authority to lead the people in act of prayer. Under the hearty influence of Virginia, southern s tates decided to rewrite their constitution and disestablish all Churches. The constitution was then rewritten with Gods name removed. The issue whether or not perform and state should be separate didnt germinate until the 19th century, and today it is hot topic among both separationists and accommodationists alike. Separationists are the people who push separation of church Separationists feel that neither state nor the federal government can set up churches / aid religion there should be absolutely no governmental funding of religious application/displays, any praying in public schooldays / teaching of evolution. On the fence side, accommodationists oppose separation between church and state, interpreting the first amendment hardly as it is stated. No where in the first amendment does it say separation of church and state . Accommodationists support government funding of religious schools / organization, they support government organized (non denominational) prayers, and th e funding of religious displays. Religions place in schools has always been scrutinized. In 1954 under God was placed in the pledge of allegiance. Since then, regulations have heavily changed. Prayer in schools has been deemed unconstitutional. Instead, schools allow a moment of silence as long as no religious intent is applied. Prayer is allowed in schools as long as bookmans initiate and control the religious meetings. In Doe vs. Santa Fe, during a school football game over the school PA system, a prayer was announced. The school claimed prayer promotes good sportsmanship and student safety, and to establish the appropriate environment for the competition.