The letter's author correctly writes that the phrase "Separation of Church and State" cannot be found in the Constitution. However, the First Amendment's phrase "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion..." is the foundation for the concept of separation of church and state in the United States. It's known as the Establishment Clause. While the words "separation of church and state" aren't explicitly written in the Constitution, this clause is interpreted as requiring the government to stay out of matters of religion. The Supreme Court has used these two parts of the First Amendment to determine many cases regarding the separation of church and state throughout U.S. history.
Louisiana's law requiring posting the Ten Commandments in school classrooms is simply an attempt by the Christian right to impose their religion on the general public. Another part of the First Amendment, the Free Exercise Clause, protects the right of individuals to practice their religion freely. This prevents a state from injecting religious beliefs into the public schools.
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Leonard Thurman
West side
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