Sunday, October 10, 2010

Quote of the day: on federalism and the separation of church and state

"In matters of religion, I have considered that its free exercise is placed by the constitution independent of the powers of the general government.  I have therefore undertaken, on no occasion, to prescribe the religious exercises suited to it; but have left them, as the constitution found them, under the direction and discipline of state or church authorities acknowledged by the several religious societies."

- Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), Second Inaugural Address, March 4, 1805, quoted in The Founders on Religion:  A Book of Quotations, James H. Hutson, editor (Princeton University Press:  2005), pg. 62.
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Angie Van De Merwe said...

Went to a Masonic Temple tour in Alexandria and was interested that the Lodges are State "invested". It was interesting to learn more of the history behind the Freemasons and their societies..

Local government is closer to the needs of the people and easier to "control" or maintain..

But, does this statement mean that churches had also a "vested interest" in State government?

October 10, 2010 at 8:54 PM

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