The axiom “separation of church and state” is one of the most mis-used phrases in the English language. This is to the detriment of religious liberty and the rich Christian fabric that made America great. Many Americans believe that the separation of church and state is contained as a clause of the 1^st amendment. Not only is this phrase nowhere in the Constitution, but it also does not appear in any of debates of the Framers, and it has been divorced from its original intent.

So, then, what is the origin of this saying? It appeared in private correspondence between Thomas Jefferson and a very concerned group of Baptists. Baptists had known religious persecution for their beliefs and Jefferson sought to assuage their fears by stating that government would not interfere with their mode of worship.  In other words, he assured them that government would stay out of religion, not that government would be hostile towards it.

In 1878 the Supreme Court heard the case of Reynolds v United States wherein they interpreted the phrase correctly. In their decision, they printed Thomas Jefferson’s letter in full and then summed up their ruling by the following statement:

“The rightful purpose of civil government are for its officers to interfere when principles break out into overt acts against peace and good order. In this…is found the true distinction between what properly belongs to the church and what to the state”

So, the true purpose of government as seen by the Founders and by the Supreme court for its first 150 years was to intervene only when one’s religion damaged the good order and peace of the community, such as in the case of human sacrifice, “convert or kill” ideology, polygamy, etc.

As I will evidence throughout my posts, the framers of the Constitution never intended to be hostile towards Christians. What they sought to avoid was a federally sponsored denomination of Christianity.

In 1947 in Everson v Board of Education, the Supreme Court went against 150 years of case precedent when they abandoned the intended meaning of “religion” from a single denomination to something very nebulous and in so doing, flipped the meaning of separation of church and state on its head.

Why is this important? Because over time, nine unelected justices have so blurred the true intent of the 1^st amendment as to completely eradicate the God-given right to religious liberty enshrined therein. We as Christians have bought into the lie that religion has no place in the public arena, and this is how we have been silenced.

This country was founded upon Christian principles, and it is only Christianity that allows for a pluralism of beliefs up to and including atheism. Other religions such as Islam and Human Secularism are completely intolerant of other beliefs. It was only in the fertile soil of liberty that all religions were tolerated provided they did not “upset the peace and good order.”

We are now watching outright discrimination and hostility of Christians that has increased over several decades. Please, read the Constitution and take the time to understand the true intent of the Founders. Do not be misled by “separation of church and state.” It’s meaning has been corrupted and has damaged our nation considerably. Today we witness groups such as the LGBTQ, the ACLU, Freedom from Religion, etc. etc. dictating to Christians what part of their conscience they are allowed to obey.  And unfortunately, many Christians believe the lie of separation of church and state and so…they stay silent as this great nation is crumbling. Our religious liberty as the Founders intended is under assault and this has evidenced itself in the complete moral breakdown of American society, i.e.: mass shootings, drag queen story hour, etc.

Let us remember that all speres of life are under God’s authority, including the government. And our government was given to us by God to preserve the rights that He bestowed upon us so graciously.

Let us return to the real meaning of “separation of church and state.” If applied correctly, the IRS would not be muzzling our pastors. (more about that in future posts) It is time to know the truth of our heritage and the intent of the Founders. It is time to invite God back into the public arena if America is to continue to be great.