America's 2012 election cycle has brought issues of religion and democracy and the phrase "separation of church and state" into headlines once more.
Thomas Jefferson’s famous words in his Letter to the Danbury Baptist Association [1] from 1802 have become one of underlying principles of American democracy:
"... I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between Church & State."
As candidates for national office and media commentators clash over these issues, Americans are now prompted to think and debate the fundamental question: how far does the separation of church and state extend?
The links below offer several sites filled with important content on religion in America and deepen our understanding of the role of religion within American history and within the law.
PBS: God in America
Inside the tumultuous 400-year history of the intersection of religion and public life in in America.
Offers primary documents including classic sermons and speeches, timeline of faith in America, video interviews with leading historians, and much more.
Library of Congress: Religion and the Founding of the American Republic
www.loc.gov/exhibits/religion [3]
Comprehensive resource to many founding documents in the history of religion from pre-colonial days to the Revolution, including laws, declarations, letters, and historic images.
National Humanities Center: Divining America: Religion in American History
nationalhumanitiescenter.org/tserve/divam.htm [4]
Scholarly essays broaden the history of US religion to include the Jewish, Catholic, African-American, and Mormon experiences, and many others.
Upcoming Event
Find out about our upcoming community event [5], March 26 in Brookline MA.
Inspired by Washington’s defense of religious freedom, please join us for a discussion on the balance between the responsibilities of citizenship and religious freedom in a democracy.