What does separation from church and state mean to you?

That neither controls the other. That our government can not mettle in the ideas or religious expression of individuals as long as it does not violate others rights, and that the ideals of any religion do not influence law or the rights of individuals- no national religion and freedom of religion.

This to me does not mean that a man can not make decisions based on the values he has learned. You can't possibly separate the two. We are guaranteed religious freedom which doesn't mean Christian freedom (people forget that) and this includes the right to choose no religion at all.

And I'm not sure what you mean by "is it to keep Christians from praying". No one on earth thinks that except Christians. "They just want us to stop praying, blah blah." No, people just want Christians to stop trying to get everyone to pray. You have every right to pray if you choose. Study your rights, man. Not everyone is a Christian, have respect for other thoughts.

ADD-

I agree with Enrique in that most Americans probably do not know the history of the big three religions and how much they are related. Teaching purely the historical facts of each would be a good idea as they are cultural and a part of history- and an understanding of other religions in a mostly "Christian" society would sure as crap cut down on all of the bigotry. But if students are made to memorize verse or practice a religion in class- that would absolutely be wrong.

First, the separation of Church and State isn't mentioned per se in the Constitution. What IS said is that the State (ie the government) will not establish a State religion, nor prohibit the free exercise therof. That is in the First Amendment.

I find that small sentence group very straightforeward: our government will not be involved in the religion business in any way. The government is neither to promote any particular religion (making a state religion, an "official" church), nor to prevent any of its inhabitants from worshipping in any way they see fit. There was a reason this clause was added: many of the original settlers of the 13 colonies were religious refugees in one form or another. The people who settled America had already had their fill of religious persecution: the Catholics persecuted the Lutherans and the Reformers, the Lutherans persecuted the Baptists, the Anglicans persecuted the Methodists and the Quakers, and everybody picked on the Jews. Somebody finally noticed that having the Government enforce religion was a BAD idea, and so we have the First Amendment.

I don't believe the FA was ever intended to sterilize our culture from any and all religious influence, or to silence people of faith. Far from it. The FA was made so people of all faiths could practice their faith without fear of the government. I think we may have been the first place to do such a thing (although I am not sure).

You are an in Idiot if you think separation of church and state means you cannot pray while at school or say god bless you. No one can take that away especially the Government, Thats what the damn idea was about.

The government cannot force you to stop praying, conversely, **they cannot force you to pray**-(which was in fact the issue most people seem to be up in arms about).

If you are not allowed to force someone to pray does that mean that that person cannot pray? NO!!!!

ADD:

A private school can teach what they want. They are not dependant on state funds and therefore no subject to a seperation of Church and State. A private school can teach as much about any religion as they want. A public school must respect this seperation.

If a public school teaches about another religion, and grades on it- that is absolutely amazing great. Far too many Americans no absolutely nothing at all about other religions and just characterize them as evil right off the bat. Encouraging education on other religions is an excellent way to combat racism and bigotry in the world today. People would realize not only the similar ideals of the big three(islam, Judaism, Christianity) but also know their common roots(Which alot of people have no idea about! WTF!)

Now, if this school forced that all the students practice this religion that would probably be wrong. But learning about it is definetly important.

It's as simple as this: The government cannot make any ruling about a religion. They cannot impose any religion on the people, cannot endorse or promote any particular faith, cannot oppose or restrict any particular faith. The government must remain religiously neutral, or secular.

For their part, religions should stick to the spiritual work and the needs of their people, and not meddle in politics.

The very reason for the separation of church and state is in history: Every time the two joined together, people of other faiths or no faith have been persecuted and killed. It was exactly that type of government-sponsored religious persecution that our forefathers came here to escape.

It means that a state run institution such as a public school or court house should remain religiously neutral and not endores any particular religion or its practices. It doesn't mean that no one can pray in school (as the old joke goes, as long as there are tests, there will be prayer in school) but it does mean that a teacher may not instruct the entire class that "now we're going to pray to God." Or Allah. Or Herne and Diana. Or any other Deity.

It also means that when the president of the United States says things about Atheists being un-American and other religions being illegitimate, he is crossing the line that is supposed to separate church and state because he is sworn to serve all Americans, not just the ones who happen to espouse his particular religious views.

I believe it is twofold. First, no religion or belief system should become a ruling body or magistrate in the U.S.. This is what happened in Europe in the Middle Ages, the pope was considered more powerful than the kings. Any religion or belief system with the power of the state behind it can be very dangerous and often leads to suppression of rights and tyranny. By the same token, the government should not interfere in the free expression of our beliefs, as long as they do not interfere with the rights of other citizens.

it means school prayer should be reinstated. No i kid, in fact i think creationism shouldn't even be in school, yea **** you kansas. Separation of church and state is that the government will neither condone nor sponsor a religion, nor shall the government do anything to prevent people from practicing their religion.

That's "OF" ... not "FROM."

While it is NOT in the Constitution, it has become an "accepted" part of the American ... um... "philosophy."

What it means is that the gooberment (yep... that's how I spell it!) is not allowed to INTERFERE with or proscribe the free, open, and LEGAL expression and PRACTICE of ANY religion in the USA. NOR is it allowed to "force" any SPECIFIC religion on us... as an example, in Sweden, EVERYONE is AUTOMATICALLY a LUTHERAN when they are born... PERIOD!

Have a blessed day.

Those who penned those words meant that the government can not influence the church in any way. They had had enough of that in England. The church was to be given freedom to operate without interference from state (ie government). That was the original intention, and a little history would help us to understand why.

Today, it's been all turned around and upside down, and people are trying to push the concept that it is the church that is to be limited in it's influence in governmental affairs! But that's not the original intent! The government was to be limited in IT'S influence in affairs of the church!

It was set up to protect people from government interference with people's freedom to worship God