[Greek]

For the record, the phrase “a wall of separation between church and state...” was first penned by Thomas Jefferson in a letter to the Danbury Baptist convention wherein he was arguing the exact opposite of how it was used in 1947: The State is prohibited in interfering in the affairs of the church in a negative sense, and should in fact encourage and foster a non hostile environment for the promotion of the same...

[allmendream]

“For the record, the phrase “a wall of separation between church and state...” was first penned by Thomas Jefferson in a letter to the Danbury Baptist convention”

Yes, it was Jefferson's view that the 1st Amendment erected such a “wall”, moreover the sentiment was not unique to Jefferson, as he no doubt took much inspiration from the actual author of the Amendment, Madison, who said many things along the same line. He spoke not of a wall but “perfect separation”. A wall can be dug under or gone around, a “perfect separation” is even more insurmountable.

So does anyone here think that teaching a religious doctrine in public schools should be A-OK Constitutionally? Can they teach ‘Mormon history’ of Semitic immigrants to the Americas in Utah without violation of the 1st Amendment? Could they teach Muslim religious doctrine in place of science in Deerborne Michigan without violation of the 1st Amendment?