Jefferson on the "wall of separation" between church and state

From: Jay Vance (digitalvance_at_aol.comdelete)
Date: 09/09/04 

Date: 09 Sep 2004 04:50:05 GMT

The Danbury Baptist Association, concerned about religious liberty in the new
nation wrote to President Thomas Jefferson, Oct. 7, 1801.

"Sir, Among the many millions in America and Europe who rejoice in your
Election to office; we embrace the first opportunity which we have enjoyd in
our collective capacity, since your Inauguration, to express our great
satisfaction, in your appointment to the chief Majestracy in the United States;
And though our mode of expression may be less courtly and pompious than what
many others clothe their addresses with, we beg you, Sir to believe, that none
are more sincere.

Our Sentiments are uniformly on the side of Religious Liberty -- That Religion
is at all times and places a matter between God and individuals -- That no man
ought to suffer in name, person, or effects on account of his religious
Opinions - That the legitimate Power of civil government extends no further
than to punish the man who works ill to his neighbor: But Sir our constitution
of government is not specific. Our ancient charter together with the Laws made
coincident therewith, were adopted on the Basis of our government, at the time
of our revolution; and such had been our Laws & usages, and such still are;
that Religion is considered as the first object of Legislation; and therefore
what religious privileges we enjoy (as a minor part of the State) we enjoy as
favors granted, and not as inalienable rights: and these favors we receive at
the expense of such degradingacknowledgements, as are inconsistent with the
rights of freemen. It is not to be wondered at therefore; if those, who seek
after power & gain under the pretense of government & Religion should reproach
their fellow men -- should reproach their chief Magistrate, as an enemy of
religion Law & good order because he will not, dare not assume the prerogatives
of Jehovah and make Laws to govern the Kingdom of Christ.

Sir, we are sensible that the President of the United States, is not the
national legislator, and also sensible that the national government cannot
destroy the Laws of each State; but our hopes are strong that the sentiments of
our beloved President, which have had such genial affect already, like the
radiant beams of the Sun, will shine and prevail through all these States and
all the world till Hierarchy and Tyranny be destroyed from the Earth. Sir, when
we reflect on your past services, and see a glow of philanthropy and good will
shining forth in a course of more than thirty years we have reason to believe
that America's God has raised you up to fill the chair of State out of that
good will which he bears to the Millions which you preside over. May God
strengthen you for the arduous task which providence & the voice of the people
have cald you to sustain and support you in your Administration against all the
predetermined opposition of those who wish to rise to wealth & importance on
the poverty and subjection of the people.

And may the Lord preserve you safe from every evil and bring you at last to his
Heavenly Kingdom through Jesus Christ our Glorious Mediator.

Signed in behalf of the Association.

Nehh Dodge
Ephram Robbins The Committee
Stephen S. Nelson"

Baptists in Danbury, Connecticut were persecuted because they were not part of
the Congregationalist establishment in that state.

On January 1, 1802, in response to the letter from the Danbury Baptist
Association, Thomas Jefferson wrote:

"Gentlemen:

The affectionate sentiments of esteem and approbation which are so good 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, and 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 and
his God; that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship; that
the legislative powers of the government reach actions only, and 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 and 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 man to all of his natural rights, convinced he
has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.

I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection and blessings of the common
Father and Creator of man, and tender you and your religious association,
assurances of my high respect and esteem.

Thomas Jefferson"

If you read Jefferson's words in context, the "wall of separation" he's
referring to is to protect the church FROM THE GOVERNMENT, not the other way
around. He's not saying that religion has no place in public life, he's saying
that the neither the government or any other entity has the right to dictate to
an individual what their religious beliefs must be.

One phrase of Jefferson's that I find particularly interesting is when he says,
"the legislative powers of the government reach actions only, and not
opinions..." How far have we strayed from THAT sentiment! "Hate crime"
legislation that adds extra penalties for the same crime if the perpetrator
BELIEVES a certain way about the victim is a perfect example of legislation
intended to govern THOUGHT and OPINIONS rather than actions.

Jay

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