Church and state - sustany/dvg GitHub Wiki

Church and State is defined as a legal�doctrine�that provides for the�separation�of the State from religion in the United States. The doctrine is derived from the landmark US Supreme Court case�Everson v. Board of Education, 330 U.S. 1. In the majority opinion of the Court, Justice Black, while relying upon the words of�Thomas Jefferson�in�Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, opined that �the clause against establishment of religion [Establishment Clause] by law was intended to erect 'a wall of separation between Church and State� and that the wall must be kept high and impregnable.� Justice Black went on further to note�that the Establishment Clause means that �neither a state nor the Federal Government can set up a church. Neither can pass laws which aid one religion, aid all religions or prefer one religion over another. Neither can force nor influence a person to go to or to remain away from church against their will or force them to profess a belief or disbelief in any religion. No person can be punished for entertaining or professing religious beliefs or disbeliefs, for church attendance or non-attendance.�