Where does it say or is it written in the constitution regarding the separation of church and state?

I recently received this question from a friend who was asking about because of them being asked about and not able to answer without twisting things too much! I felt that I could answer it at least in part to give them something to go with.

Here is the answer plain and simple.

Where does it say/written in the constitution the separation of church and state?

It does not say that specifically using those exact words!

What it does say is the following, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof" this can only be taken one way- and that is exactly how it is written. No person or persons can expect their "religion" to be allowed precedence over any other within government. Congress enacted a law adding “under god” to the money, pledge, and other items in 1956-, this was in direct contradiction to the Constitution! “Congress SHALL make NO law…” In addition, this is not taking it out of context, it is reading exactly as it is written!

Than we have to look at the reasoning behind the founders wanting freedom…and we see this “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” It does not say, “We want to establish the Church of America as you have the Church of England so that we can mold everyone to be the same.” It says very simply- THEIR creator, and life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. At no time is a single religion specified nor is it requested or encouraged.

Next, you want to look at the mindsets of the authors and their views concerning religion many wanted a STATE religion thankfully, this was REJECTED!

“Spiritual freedom is the root of political liberty….As the union between spiritual freedom and political liberty seems nearly inseparable, it is our duty to defend both.”
Thomas Paine – Thoughts on a Defensive War 1775

I prescribe to this notion and will fight tooth and nail against combining religion and politics simply because I know that to do so will cause far more problems than it will ever solve. I would rather support everyman’s right to decide their own “savior” or lack there off than to support a tyrannical theocracy (which historically is ALWAYS the result of the combination of both!)


“As to religion, I hold it to be the indispensible duty of all government, to protect all conscientious professors thereof, and I know of no other business which government hath to do therewith.”
Thomas Paine – Common Sense 1776

Again as a chief signer and instigator in the freedoms, we currently hold he was adamantly against the combination of the two.

“The opinions of men are not the object of civil government, nor under its jurisdiction.”
Thomas Jefferson- Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom 1779

He was another strong supporter of the separation of the two based on what he saw to be large problems stemming from the combination of the two!

“It does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no God.”
Thomas Jefferson – Notes on the State of Virginia 1782

He strongly supported the idea that religion and god/God was not anyone’s business but their own! (I strongly agree-which intelligent creature cannot agree with that idea.)


“The religion, then, of every man must be left to the conviction and conscience of every man; and it is the right of every man to exercise it as these may dictate.”
James Monroe- Address to the Virginia General Assembly June 20th, 1785

Being a “God Fearing “man it would baffle any of the modern minds to realize that Monroe was also NOT a supporter of the combination of the two, for obvious reasons. It is a personal decision and nothing more, this is the main line you see in hundreds of letters, speeches, and public discourses that are available for viewing at places like the Smithsonian, the National Archives, and private libraries like mine!

Therefore, if someone wishes to be completely ignorant of history and claim that the Separation of Church and state are not found let them. I choose to research and know my history, and to base my decisions (regardless of personal opinions or beliefs) on those!

It is my duty as a patriot and historian to provide as close and accurate a representation of the minds of the founders as I can.

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