What impact did many state constitution have on the separation of church and state affairs?

Answer 1

Although this was provided in the constitution, the actual words 'separation of church and state' were not exactly written into the constitution. Instead, this was first mentioned by Thomas Jefferson in a letter to the Danbury Baptists on January 1, 1802, in which his intentions were to keep the Church out of government business, but not vise-verse.

Answer 2

First of all, the constitution of the United States does not call for separation of Church and State. It prevents Congress from establishing a religion. It prevents congress from restricting religion. Establishing means it prevents congress from paying for religious activities. It has absolutely no restrictions on any church, which would be separation of church and state. It does not prevent congress from paying a religious organization from performing a non religious function. That was decided in a 1985 supreme court ruling.

Before the Revolutionary war, all American colonies. with the exception of Rhode Island, had an established religion. In the south, many were Episcopalian. During the Revolutionary war, the states seized many Episcopalian Church buildings and in the south those states ceased having established religions. Many of the clergymen needing to make a living became Presbyterians or Methodists. After the war, the Federal Government passed the first amendment. It was only binding of the federal government. The disestablishment of the church came slower in the North where the established churches were Calvinist. Finally, in about 1932, Massachusetts ended having the Congregationalist Church as the established church and stopped paying the pastors salaries.

After the Mexican War when the United States conquered New Mexico, the Roman Catholic Church was the established church in parts of New Mexico. That soon ended after the United States established territorial government.

After the 14th amendment was passed after the Civil War, the possibility ceased for a state to have an established religion.

Answer 3

Yes.

U.S. Const., Amend. I:

"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."

These are the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause. Essentially, the effect of the Establishment Clause is that the state cannot act to establish or endorse a religion. The effect of the Free Exercise Clause is to proscribe the state from interfering with a citizen's pursuit or practice of religion.

Answer 4

It preserved the freedom of people, not forcing people to obey state religion.