As you can see, Coons and his minions at Widener Law School believe the Constitution actually sets up a separation of chruch and state. It doesn't, and you won't find it in the Constitution no matter how hard you look or how much Coons or those who laughed at Christine O'Donnell think they know about the Constitution. Imagine that, another liberal Democrat thinks he knows the Constitution but doesn't.
The First Amendment sets up what is known as the establishment clause. Look at the text and you will notice separation of chruch and state doesn't appear.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Any student of history knows the corruption in England from the King establishing a national religion. Our founding fathers wanted to avoid Congress or the President telling anyone they must worship under a certain doctrine, so all the first Amendment does is provide freedom of religion by prohibiting state sponsored religion like the Founders dealt with in England. The establishment clause doesn't prevent our government from participating in religion or writing laws that stem from religious doctrine, which many laws do.
It would be 13 years after the ratification of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights until the words separation of church and state were mentioned by any Founding Father. Thomas Jefferson expressed the idea of separation of church and state in his letter to the Danbury Baptists; however, it's just a letter and by no means a document that defines the First Amendment like the Federalist Papers do.
Here is Jefferson's letter to the Danbury Baptists:
To messers. Nehemiah Dodge, Ephraim Robbins, & Stephen S. Nelson, a committee of the Danbury Baptist association in the state of Connecticut.
Gentlemen
The affectionate sentiments of esteem and approbation which you are so good as to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist association, give me the highest satisfaction. my duties dictate a faithful and zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, & in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more and more pleasing.
Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church & State. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.
I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection & blessing of the common father and creator of man, and tender you for yourselves & your religious association, assurances of my high respect & esteem.
Th Jefferson
Jan. 1. 1802.
Even in Jefferson's letter, he explains with such ease what the First Amendment does. Even though he uses separation of church and state, it never appears in the Constitution, nor does it prevent schools, like Coons suggests, from teaching intelligent design.
However, liberals like Coons like to trample all over the Constitution for their own political gain, and that's what is exhibited here. That's why Senator-elect Coons is #9 for 2010.
