Please see attachments
marvin.perry
required_readings.docxRequired Readings
The Mythical ‘Wall of Separation’ by Daniel L. Dreisbach
Please read “The Mythical ‘Wall of Separation’” at this link:
http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2006/06/the-mythical-wall-of-separation-how-amisused-
metaphor-changed-church-state-law-policy-and-discourse
Faith and the American Founding by Michael Novak
Please read “Faith and the American Founding” at this link:
http://heartland.org/sites/all/modules/custom/heartland_migration/files/pdfs/20657.pdf
Letter to Danbury Baptists by Thomas Jefferson
To messers. Nehemiah Dodge, Ephraim Robbins, & Stephen S. Nelson, a committee of the
Danbury Baptist association in the state of Connecticut.
Gentlemen
The affectionate sentiments of esteem and approbation which you are so good as to express
towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist association, give me the highest satisfaction. my
duties dictate a faithful and zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, & in proportion as
they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more and more
pleasing.
Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he
owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government
reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the
whole American people which declared that their legislature should “make no law respecting
an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” thus building a wall of
separation between Church & State. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation
in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those
sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in
opposition to his social duties.
I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection & blessing of the common father and creator of
man, and tender you for yourselves & your religious association, assurances of my high respect
& esteem.
Th Jefferson
