Separation of church and state

Motto of the French state, on a church door. "[The] French Republic" "Freedom, Equality, Friendship"

Separation of church and stateis a phrase coined byThomas Jeffersonthat refers to keepinggovernment affairsseparate fromreligious affairs.Moststatesin the world today aresecular stateshave this separation, but some states (those that aretheocraciesor that havestate religions) do not.

By country

United States

The phrase "separation of church and state" was coined by Thomas Jefferson, aFounding Fatherserved asPresident of the United Statesfrom 1801–1809. While the phrase itself is not used, a clause preventing state religion exists in theFirst Amendment to the United States Constitution:

Congressshall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting thefree exercise thereof;or abridging thefreedom of speech,orof the press;or the right of the peoplepeaceably to assemble,and topetitiontheGovernmentfor a redress of grievances.

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• Secular state
• Secularism
• Freedom of religion