separation of church and state

Just what does it mean to describe America as a "Christian Nation"?  The fact is that our nation has two traditions regarding the place of religion.  The first tradition we have wisely rejected.  The second we have wisely embraced, and it has served us well.  

The first tradition began with the earliest settlements in North America in the 1600's.  Most of these settlers were earnest Christians.  Unfortunately, along with great courage and fortitude, they brought with them age-old patterns of established churches and the demand that every community must practice  religious uniformity.  So Colonial America became yet another land of religious tyranny, with self-styled "Godly" authorities enforcing their particular views on everyone, often in savage ways. Officers of church and state worked hand in hand, claiming the divine right to stamp out any "unorthodox" views.