Our names are Matt and Theresa. We are students at Salem State University. For our Social Studies block we decided to explore the hot topic issue of separation of church and state. Many people have conflicting opinions about how much, if any, religious values or opinions should appear in a government run institution. The idea of separation of church and state comes from a combination of ideas in the US Constitution and writing of the founding fathers. Currently the US Supreme Court has generally interpreted the idea of separation of church and state to mean that religion and government must stay separate for the benefit of both, based in part on the idea that the government must not impose religion on Americans.
Some ideas that we are going to investigate in are:
religious opinions being displayed on state issued material such as a license plate and our national flag.
Should we take out the line “under god” in the Pledge of Allegiance, especially in our public schools.
Should religious groups and organizations have to pay taxes? Or should there be regulations on religious groups that accept money from the government?
The argument is made by most religious groups that gay marriage should not be allowed, however the constitution never states that marriage needs to be between a man and a woman. Who is right?
Evolution vs. creationism
Visit the Americans United for separation of church and state website for more information: www.au.org
“I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death.” –George Carlin
May God bless you, Amen (oooops)
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