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date: 14 February 2025

The Separation of Church and State in the United Stateslocked

The Separation of Church and State in the United Stateslocked

  • Steven K. GreenSteven K. GreenCenter for Religion, Law and Democracy, Willamette University

Summary

Separation of church and state has long been viewed as a cornerstone of American democracy. At the same time, the concept has remained highly controversial in the popular culture and law. Much of the debate over the application and meaning of the phrase focuses on its historical antecedents. This article briefly examines the historical origins of the concept and its subsequent evolutions in the nineteenth century.

Subjects

  • Revolutionary History
  • Legal History
  • Political History
  • Cultural History

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