What did thomas jefferson believe builds a wall of separation between church and state?

Answer 1

The "wall" between church and state is one of the most misunderstood principles arising out of the First Amendment and a correspondence between Thomas Jefferson and the Danbury (Connecticut) Baptists Association. A letter from the Danbury Baptists was concerned with the idea that most local governments were still of the impression that expression of religion was still a privilege granted by local authority, not an "inalienable right" as seems guaranteed by the First Amendment. Jefferson's response was meant to reassure the Danbury Baptists that it was not the place of government to "establish" any church as a national religion, as had historically been the practice throughout Europe, nor to attempt to control any expression of religious belief. The "wall" thus referred to the state being disallowed to restrict those privileges in any way. However, in the ensuing years the phrase "separation of church and state" has been misconstrued as meaning that no public display of religious belief is or ought to be condoned. Nothing could be further from the truth, but this is the debate that still rages today. This is, of course, an oversimplification of the issue, but there are many excellent web sites that discuss the constitutional issues of freedom of religion.

Answer 2

This needs immediate clarifications, in as much the term "separation of church and State" is found nowhere in the Declaration of Independence or the US Constitution.

The founding fathers of the United States created in the US Constitution the idea that the Nation could not do anything to suppress the right of people to practice their religions. The Constitution states that the Government shall not prohibit the free worship of God.

Jefferson believed this was a good idea.