By Richard Eggers The recent SCOTUS ruling on Kennedy v. Bremerton School District ruled favorably for the “Kneeling Football Coach,” redressing a fundamental misinterpretation of the First Amendment regarding the “separation of church and state” issue that has stood since 1947. Words, indeed, can have mighty consequences. In the case of the concept of the “Separation of Church and State,” one word — “wall” in the phrase “wall of separation of church and state” has proven to be hugely important (and misunderstood). This phrase cannot be found in the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, or any other founding document of our nation. It did not legally exist until 1947, but more on that later. It is erroneously believed Thomas Jefferson, in an official capacity, created it. Wrong. The origin of the phrase traces to a personal letter written by Jefferson when he was the new newly elected president, on Jan. 1, 1802, to the Baptist Association in Connecticut. These Baptists were a beleaguered minority in a state where Congregationalists dominated political life. Though a Deist himself, Jefferson’s letter simply encouraged the Baptists in their struggle to enjoy the right of conscience as an inalienable right, not a […]
