Good Example Of Separation Of Church And State In American Constitution Essay

Separation of Church and State is the principle of the special form of relationship between public authorities and the church, which means refusal of the state from interfering in the affairs of the church, and the freedom of citizens to decide which religion they want to practice. In its turn, the church has no public functions.
The principle of separation of church and state began to be approved at the end of the 18th century in USA and in France. In Russia, the separation of church and state was proclaimed in 1918. This principle is enshrined in the current Constitutions of these countries.
At the dawn of its history, the citizens of United States refused to prevailing in many European countries concept of state religion or religion that has to receive priority support from the state. Separation of church and state was enshrined in law by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which tells that «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.»(Archives.gov, 2015)
One of the first settlements in America, which became the cradle of other colonies were created by Puritans-Calvinists from England, who created their colony life in the terms of domination by the Church of England. Massachusetts was the place where the Puritans decided to create their community, their community started to become more and more larger. They came to the conclusion that it is a sign of their charitable deeds, and those who did not share the suitable religious views have no place among the settlers.(Usa.usembassy.de, 2015)
Roger Williams was the one who was forced out from the colony, for dissenting with the local priests, he created another colony, that was later called Rhode Island, where all of the people enjoyed full freedom of practicing any religion they like. Another two states originally emerged as a kind of paradise on earth for those who were previously unable to practice their religion freely: Maryland has become a haven for Catholics, Pennsylvania was settled by persons belonging to the so-called "Society of Friends" - Protestant community members which professed ideals of righteous living and held pacifistic views.(Usa.usembassy.de, 2015)
One of the main problems in Europe was the emergence of the Catholic Church as a totalitarian government that was trying to control every aspect of life in the Catholic countries. Even in some Protestant countries was a clear tendency to the fact that certain church strongly influenced the secular government. By this I do not emphasize on the Catholic Church or any other church. I am simply pointing out that throughout history there is a clear tendency of religious people to become ossified and dogmatic wanting to make other religions keep silence or eradicate them. Throughout history, it has often been the reason that the religious authorities used the civilian government to outlaw what they considered competing religions.
I think all the backgrounds that were mentioned above were among the major reasons for separation of church and state in American Constitution. Both government and society gain benefit if the government does not influence the life of church, and the church does not influence the government.

References

Archives.gov,. (2015). Bill of Rights Transcript Text. Retrieved 12 February 2015, from http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/bill_of_rights_transcript.html
Usa.usembassy.de,. (2015). USIA - Portrait of the USA, Ch. 8. Retrieved 12 February 2015, from http://usa.usembassy.de/etexts/factover/ch8.htm