Church and State Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Church and State - Essay ExampleIt guarantees that individuals have freedom of phantasmal expression and practice and the g overnment will not recognize any one faith as much valid than others or will not promote religion over secularism. More and more clarifications were added as and when skids of use of public property for displaying sacred objects or use of public places to promote religious idea started coming in.In Lynch V. Donnelly Case No. 82-1256 (1983-1984) (Hirsley 1991), there was a dispute on use of religious symbols in public places. The City of Pawtucket RI erected a Christmas display as part of its festivity during Christmas festival. The display included a creche that consisted of tradition figures of Infant Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The district court found it against the setoff Amendment and ordered its removal but in the landmark judgment by Supreme Court, they held that in rancor of its religious significance the City of Pawtucket did not botch up the Estab lishment clause and allowed the crche to remain on display. It discover that an absolute separation is not possible between Government and religion.In another important case Engel v. Vitale, 370 US 421 (1962), there was a dispute over the rendering of religious prayers in schools. A radical of parents challenged the prayer as contrary to the beliefs, religions, or religious practices of both themselves and their children. The states highest court upheld the use of the prayer, on the movement that state law did not force any student to join in the prayer over a parents objections. But the Supreme Court found it against the spirit of Establishment clause. This again caused a deal of furor and led to many a debate in the society.In the same vein, the issue of congressional prayers also led to lot of discussions. There has been a long-standing practice of saying prayers before the start of legislative sessions in many states. For e.g. In Maine a clergy member suggested by the lawmake r leads the prayer. Most prayers are picture and ask for Gods guidance. A 1983 U.S. Supreme Court decision found that legislative prayers do not violate the principle of separation of church and state. The court described the longstanding practice as a endurable acknowledgement of beliefs.In Conclusion, we can safely say that though Religion and State should be kept separate, it is not possible to have absolute separation and some connection between the two in inevitable. ReferencesDaniel L. Dreisbach. Thomas Jefferson and the Wall of Separation Between Church and State , New York University Press, 2003) Everson v. Board of education, 1947Hirsley, Michael. spectral Display Needs Firm Court.Chicago Tribune, 20 December 1991.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_church_and_state_in_the_United_StatesKilman, J. & Costello, G. (Eds). (2000). The Constitution of the United States of America synopsis and Interpretation. List of United States Supreme Court Cases, Volume 370Lynch V. Donne lly, 1983Thomas Jefferson Writings Autobiography / Notes on the State of Virginia /