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Essay on religion freedom in the US
Why is religious freedom so important in the United States
Essay on religion freedom in the US
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The United States Constitution and The Declaration of Independence are two of America 's most famous documents and most cherished symbols of liberty, however they are very different in their intents and themes, although both together laid the foundation for our independence as a nation. The Declaration of Independence proclaims the United States of America a free and independent nation that would no longer be under British Rule. The Constitution is the basis of the U.S. government. It can be rightly stated that the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are best friends necessary in support for each other. There are two proofs necessary to make this argument: the first being, the Declaration requires limited, constitutional union …show more content…
In his brief response, President Jefferson sympathized with the Baptists in their opposition to the state of Connecticut’s established religion. The question of this assignment is “What do you think the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution thought about the separation of church and state or about the separation of God from government?” While devoutly committed to religious liberty He deeply opposed established churches as existed in Massachusetts and Connecticut, but recognized that, as President, he had to respect them. The letter contains the phrase "wall of separation between church and state," that expressed his reverence for the First Amendment’s “wall of separation between Church & State” at the federal level. This became the short-hand for the Establishment Clause that we use today: "Separation of church and state." President Jefferson put much thought and intense scrutiny into the letter, and consulted New England politicians to assure that his words would not offend while still conveying his message that it was not the place of the Congress or of the Executive to do anything that might be misconstrued an establishment of religion. The now well-known the phrase "wall of separation between church and state,” lay …show more content…
was now an independent country, the Constitution laid out guidelines and rules on how the country should run or work. 1-The Declaration of Independence is only a statement that proclaims that the 13 colonies were independent states and no longer under British rule. 2-The Constitution is the basis of the U.S. government and is the supreme law of the land. 3-Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, and it was then edited by the Continental Congress, which unanimously adopted it on July 4, 1776. As a result, this is why We American citizens celebrate Independence Day on July 4. 4-The Constitution was written in 1787 by a convention of all the states which was called for the purpose of recommending changes in the old government. The Constitution, after getting approval from the states, came into effect in 1789. Jefferson’s letter to the Danbury Baptist was written in 1802 and must also be read in context of his declaration in the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom that “Almighty God hath created the mind free….” In reiterating the question of this assignment “What do you think the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution thought about the separation of church and state or about the separation of God from government?” The “wall of separation” exists to affirm natural rights, including those of faith and religious worship. This separation does
In the year 1787, George Washington headed the delegation that had come together to sign the US Constitution. The aim of the constitution was to give more power to the federal government. The Constitution contains rights that guarantee American citizens freedom of religion and worship. The Declaration of Independence came into existence on the fourth day of the sixth month of 1776, and it regarded the thirteen American colonies as free and independent from the British oppression. The Declaration of Independence came before the Constitution, and its aim was to state that the United States was no longer under colonial power as compared to the constitution that gives rights to American citizens. The Declaration of Independence, therefore, freed a state while the United States Constitution gave freedom to the American citizens after their nation had been liberated from all forms of colonial repression. The Declaration of Independence defined that the United States was free from British oppression whereas the Constitution describes the role of each branch of the government.
The Declaration of Independence refers to “our constitution”, in this respect they were referring to the Ancient British Constitution. The United States was expressing the fundamental aspects of British politics; among these were Classic Republicanism, Enlightenment Liberalism, and Protestant Christianity. In the Declaration they balanced all of these English traditions; expressing what they believed to be the true spirit of the British Constitution. As Edmund Burke would say, “(the Revolution) was carried out not to create new liberties but to preserve old ones” (Wood, p. 58). The main issue that the colonies had with the British following 1763, was England’s belief in the doctrine of
Thomas Jefferson believed that a wall must be built separating church and state in hopes of protecting America’s religious liberty because of his views of human nature and good government, while President James Madison may have not supported how Jefferson went about it, he agreed with the notion that church and state should be separated. Taking a look into Jefferson’s past and how his views back then relate to his decisions, have made a difference. Between Jefferson and Madison, they grew more together than apart, but with different backgrounds in the same party, there were some disagreement. In his letter to the Danbury Baptists, Jefferson sends a request for the separation of church and state in hopes of rebuilding and making The United States
Why was the Declaration of Independence written? The Declaration of Independence was written in 1776. We all know that day as Independence Day. It was accepted on July 4, 1776. On that day, the United States had freedom. There was a long, hard process to get the Declaration of Independence where it needed to be. It took several people, and several reviews to get it just right.
There are many events that have happened in our history that have helped shape our country into what it is today. One of those events that helped change our country was the Decleration of Independance. The Declaration of Independence was written on July 4th, 1776. And this document was written so we were separate from England and so we weren’t under their power anymore. It meant that we were going to become a self-governing country. This was the very first big step we took to become our own country. And if we hadn’t have separated from England we wouldn’t be the country we are today. This helped build our nation and bring us closer together so we were united as one. This is when we realized we could be something bigger than what we were.
Compare and Contrast Declaration of Independence and Common Sense When I was asked to read the Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson and Common Sense by Thomas Paine, I was kind of scared. As I started to read it, I found it to be truly interesting. Reading over them several times to make sure I understood the text and the meaning of them both. Throughout, out this paper I will share many comparisons and contrasts between the Declaration of Independence and the Common Sense pamphlet. There are many reasons why these two documents had a great effect on the American Revolution.
In 1800 Jefferson entered office with the intention to move away from the Federalist policies of Washington and Adams and to put the nation onto a path that he thought would be best. He wished to minimize the power of the central government by strengthening the state governments. “Our country is too large to have all its affairs directed by a single government…” (Document A). Jefferson and the Republican Party envisioned a government that was going to work for the people, a government with the people’s interests at heart. They believed that having stronger state governments would accomplish this. The leaders of a state were closer to the people they were governing; therefore they should know what the public needed. Document B refers to Jefferson’s belief in the strict interpretation of the Constitution, especially when it is about the freedom of religion. “Certainly no power to prescribe any religious exercise, or to assume authority in religious...
The Declaration of Independence was created by the British colonies of North America who sought independence, July 4th 1776. They have overthrown their tyrannical unjust ruler. Since then America has been on their own, with the democracy they choice, everything how they would like no more getting ruled by Britain.
The general gist was to create non-tyrannical state, more importantly to declare the independence and to separate both politically and economically from British monarchy. The Declaration of Independence consisted of three pieces of Jefferson’s view on the need of separation from British monarchy. At the same time, colonists were benefitted from the British government by a treaty, however it did not provide any political authority over nation, soon the colonies had united to abolish British control, and they had less interest to allow them to meddle in their internal matters. The determination to create the constitution was to establish powerful government and sustain the democracy by avoid forming tyranny. The Constitution enabled the opportunity to form the federal government which based on the taxation with regard to create their own defense army as well as created judiciary and foreign relations (Ryan, 2012). It was crucial that the government avoid tyrannize over the states and the people. The Constitution formed the system in which there was a double sovereign, which allows citizen can access to the same authority in two different states. Madison argues that an extensive republic is the best security against factionalism, because it makes factions against each other without damaging as a whole, and making them exhaust each other during the conflict. The Federalists was dedicated to convince their opponents that fragile government cannot protect from foreign invasion and revolt. Clearly, it was huge contribution and collaboration of well-educated men and their hard work and passion made the United States
The Declaration of Independence was written to separate the American colonies from Britain, but there were many underlying goals. It was written to state the grievances that the colonists held against the British, particularly the king. The colonists wanted a better economy, a new republican government, but perhaps most of all, they simply wanted their misery to end. This is what they set out to explain in the document. John Adams described it as “a Declaration setting forth the causes which have impelled us to this mighty revolution, and the reasons which will justify it in the sight of God and man” (Friedenwald 182).
There are many important factors in the Declaration of Independence, which enable the foundation of a new government. These range from describing grievances with England, to how government should be run differently, to the first statement of separation. The first step to the foundation of a new government is the uniting of a people in a common goal. Since all people were feeling violated by English soldiers, it was necessary to state these grievances in order to make people aware that they are not alone. When people learned that others felt the same as them emotion was stirred. The Declaration of Independence listed the grievances such as, “He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.” The next important step to the foundation of a new government was to gain peoples ambition by showing how the government would be run if a new party took over. This goal was achieved by stating the rights of man. “We hold these truths to be self evident: That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” This statement made people hopeful and feel kindly toward this new government. The final step in the preparation for a new government was separation from the old government. This was declared twice in the Declaration of Independence. In the beginning, “That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, driving their just powers from the consent of the governed,” and in the end, “that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved. In conclusion, the Declaration of Independence was able to motivate people, give them ambition, and made it simple for Americans to take action.
It has been said that the Declaration of Independence was more democratic and for equality and the Constitution was more for a republic that benefited only some people. The Declaration was idealistic the Constitution realistic. That 1776 gave us liberty and 1787 gave us order. Although as unfair as it may sound this seems to be true. After gaining liberty this country had to establish a system that would have order.
The Declaration of Independence was written to declare that the thirteen colonies were claiming themselves as independent states. Then U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights were written. These important papers spell out freedoms guaranteed to Americans and the laws that protect those freedoms. They talk of a government that works for the people.
A common error that people make is that the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4th our national Independence day in the United States, but the truth is that the document was only approved on July 2nd and wasn’t even signed until August 2nd. The document was signed by 56 colonial delegates, and was used to explain why they want to break free from Britain. This document consists of 4 parts, statement of purpose, the contract theory of government, grievances, and the conclusion, the two major parts are the contract theory of government, grievances; they make up the bulk of the document. The colonists wanted to officially split from Britain due to the many unjust things Britain had done. The Declaration of Independence was a list of those unjust things and who gave them the authority to split.
The American Declaration of Independence has affected the foundation of the United States more than any other event or document in American history. The Declaration of Independence was the basis for what the country was established on. The document was a way for the colonists to emancipate themselves from the cruelty of King George. This document had such an impacting effect because it was such a new way of bringing up concerns. It was the first of its kind in the history of America in the aspect of liberation of a group of people.