Church and State

What it is, what it is not...

What it is:
"Separation of church and state" is paraphrased from Thomas Jefferson and used by others in expressing an understanding of the intent and function of the Establishment Clause and Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States which reads: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." 

What it is not:
The separation of church and state is not banning churches or other organizations from endorsing a political candidate. It is not forcing a post office to remove a Nativity scene.  It is not forbidding congress to open in prayer. 

And lastly it is not an excuse to chase religious people back inside the walls of their churches and remove their influence and their views from public life. 

If you don't think that last one is the goal of godless liberals, you haven't been paying attention.