On Friday, January 31st, NBC published an article about a Montana legislature pushing a bill that would require every public school in the state to display the 10 Commandments. In 2024, Louisiana passed a bill that requires all public schools to display the 10 Commandments. And you guessed it, there is major push back.
Those against the displays often cite religious freedom and separation of church and state being foundational values of America. Montana Senator Jason Ellsworth, a self-proclaimed Christian, speaks against the bill because according to him, it violates the First Amendment.
But the truth is, according to the Founders, this would not violate the First Amendment, and religion should be displayed in America’s public schools. Let’s look at the conservative argument why.
In This Argument…
- What The Phrase “Separation of Church and State” Really Means
- Why Teaching Religion In Public Schools Does Not Violate The First Amendment According to the Founders
- Quotes From The Founding Fathers Speaking About God and Morality, and How Religion Should Shape Public Policy
Table of Contents
The “Separation of Church and State” Misconception
The popular phase “separation of church and state” is actually not in the Constitution and it was never meant to ban religion from public life.
The phrase “separation of church and state” actually appears in a 1802 letter by Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptist Association where he used it to reassure them that the state would not interfere with their religious practices. He said that the First Amendment built “a wall of separation between Church & State.” The concept of separating the church and the state does two main things:
- Prevents the Establishment of a National Church: This prevents the government (the state), from establishing an official national religion like the Church of England in Britain. It can not favor one religion over another or force people to belong to or fund a specific church.
- Ensures Free Exercise to Practice Religion: The state cannot interfere with an individual’s religious beliefs or practices.
The original intention of “separation of church and state” was to protect religious freedom by preventing a state religion from being enforced, not about removing religion from public life altogether. Furthermore, the Founders themselves often spoke about God and morality often in government settings.
The First Amendment Misconception
At the time of the founding, many public schools actually taught the Bible and included prayer, and the Founders did not see this as a First Amendment violation. They opening spoke about the need for religion and morality.
No where in the Constitution does it forbid teaching about religion or having it influence public values. It simply protects against religious coercion by the state. As long as no single denomination is being forced on students participation in religious activities is not coerced, teaching about religion is allowed, according to the Founders.
The Northwest Ordinance of 1787, which was passed by the same government that approved the Constitution stated, “Religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to good government… shall forever be encouraged.”
George Washington also said, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.”
And John Adams famously said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people.”
So to simplify, here’s what the Founders believed:
- The First Amendment originally barred only a national church and it did not demand the public square to be free of religion. The early public schools also used the Bible, posted the Ten Commandments, and taught virtue without violating the Constitution.
- State & local boards were in charge of controlling school curriculum. The job of the federal government was to leave everyone’s conscience free, no forced worship, pledges, or tithes.
In short, the original intention of separation of state and the first amendment according to the Founders was no government-imposed creed, not a ban on religion or moral ideas in schools. The line is crossed only when the state forces affirmation, participation, or funding of beliefs against one’s conscience.
Since the Founders saw religion in schools as consistent with the Constitution, it raises the question: should we bring religion back into our public schools today?
Why Religion Should Be In America’s Public Schools
The conservative argument to this is generally a yes. Not only do we have quotes from the Founders like John Adams and George Washington, but it’s imperative to teach our children about religion because of two key reasons.
- Religion is Part of History, Culture, and Law: It is impossible to fully understand Western civilization without religion, in specific, The Bible and Christianity. Where the rights in the Bill of Rights comes from, and concepts like human rights and equality all come from religious philosophies.
- Religion Shapes Morality and Civic Virtue: Teaching about religion helps form citizens who understand the moral roots of justice, law, and liberty. This is important because law comes from moral principles and freedom without morality leads to chaos. What’s why John Adams famously said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
Quotes From The Founders
Here’s a list of quotes about religion in America from the Founders, so you can use it for your knowledge and debate:
John Adams, Letter to the Massachusetts Militia, 1798: “We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion… Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
George Washington, Farewell Address, 1796: “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports… Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion.”
Benjamin Franklin, Letter to Messrs. the Abbes Chalut and Arnaud, 1787: “Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.”
Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia, 1781–1785: “Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?”
James Madison, Letter to Frederick Beasley, 1825: “The belief in a God All Powerful, wise and good is so essential to the moral order of the world and to the happiness of man.”
Rebuttals
Here are some rebuttals that one may use to label one as a hypocrite in their beliefs, so let’s examine them.
If Religion Is Allowed, Then LGBTQ Flags Should Be Hung
LGBTQ ideas often go against Christian and other religious ideas, so should they be allowed in the public square and public schools? The consistent conservative answer would be yes, so long as there is no coercion, where student is forced to agree, declare, or celebrate something that may violate their conscience. There is a difference between teaching and coercion.
Examples of Teaching:
- Learning about LGBTQ history
- Writing a report that explains what LGBTQ means without taking a moral position
Examples of Coercion:
- Requiring students to write a report affirming that traditional religious beliefs on marriage are bigoted
- Forcing students to wear LGBTQ pride symbols or mandating verbal statements like: “I support gender transitions for children”
In short, teaching about LGBTQ is not considered coercion. Requiring students to affirm LGBTQ beliefs, especially in moral or ideological terms, is considered coercion.
Is Saluting to the Flag Coercion?
Some may say “well if I’m forced to salute the American flag or recite the Pledge of Allegiance, then this would be coercion.” The answer, by following this logic, is simple:
If students are taught the Pledge of Allegiance or invited to recite it voluntarily, then it is not coercion.
If students are forced to pledge allegiance to the flag or recite the Pledge of Allegiance, then it is coercion.
The Bottom Line
- The phrase “separation of church and state” really means preventing the state from overstepping boundaries and not barring religion from public schools or the public square.
- Teaching religion in public schools, as long as it’s not coercive, was never seen by the Founders as a violation of the First Amendment. They never intended the public square or public schools to be stripped of faith, morality, or virtue.
- The Founding Fathers spoke about God and morality often in government settings, believing that religion should be part of shaping public policy
As always, Christ is King.