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Phil,
I am not too sure of the origin of "separation of
church and state". I think that it was first used by Thomas Jefferson in
some correspondence with someone (unremembered to me). It has
been later used in several US Supreme Court cases, but I think that it was used
to paraphrase the Court's then interpretation of those clauses in the 1st
amendment. Sorry that I can't be of more help.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, November 30, 2001 1:02
PM
Subject: [Winona] Faith-Based
I agree with Erin Benedict's very articulate
comments on faith-based organizations. We can all appreciate the work
they do, but we should not let the government support them. I am
also very glad there are passionate young people willing to do
the important work that our social service agencies perform. It too
is based on faith, but a faith in humanity, not a particular religious
faith.
It would be well to correct a minor part
of Erin's comments. Our country did not start out based on
"division between church and state" (a statement that is not in our
Constitution or Bill of Rights), but rather "freedom of religion" and
against "establishment" of a religion (which phrases are in the Bill of
Rights). The phrase "separation of church and state" was
in some of the Founding Fathers' writings or maybe in later court
cases. Perhaps Judge Peterson or another learned scholar can set us
straight on the exact words and their origins.
- Phil Carlson,
Mpls
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