Contrary to popular belief, the phrase “separation of Church and State” is never used in the Constitution. In fact, it was originally used by Thomas Jefferson in a letter to express that the government cannot control religion or the beliefs of religious groups – the very antithesis of barring religion from government and the public square.


Sadly, “separation of Church and State” is more widely known than what is actually in the Constitution: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

Most agree that in America, people should be free to live and work according to their beliefs. It’s one of the principles on which this country was founded.

Tragically, we have seen numerous private business owners fined and hit with lawsuits for adhering to their beliefs, while some faith-based organizations such as foster care and adoption agencies have been forced out altogether.

[wp-svg-icons icon=”play-3″ wrap=”i”] Just in recent weeks an openly anti-Christian bill that would shut down religious schools in California was voted out of committee.

[wp-svg-icons icon=”play-3″ wrap=”i”]  In Virginia, Gov. Terry McAuliffe vetoed a narrow, basic religious freedom law that simply stated clergy who refused to participate in marriage ceremonies on religious grounds could not be penalized. Gov. McAuliffe even called the effort to protect the very faith of ministers “an oxymoron.”

[wp-svg-icons icon=”play-3″ wrap=”i”] The U.S. Supreme Court let stand a regulation in Washington that requires all pharmacists to sell abortion inducing drugs regardless of religious or moral objections.

[wp-svg-icons icon=”play-3″ wrap=”i”] An Iowa pastor was forced to file a federal lawsuit  to stop the government from limiting the church’s teaching on biblical sexuality or forcing the church to open its restrooms and showers to members of the opposite sex.

The Founders understood that one of government’s primary tasks is to preserve the freedom for each person to follow his or her own conscience. When religious freedom is compromised it’s dangerous for everyone.


Protecting your neighbor’s right to live and work according to their beliefs protects your own.


Religious freedom is not just about Christianity; religious freedom is for everyone, including those with no religion or religious beliefs at all.

This critical freedom gives everyone the right to believe and adhere to the lifestyle they choose, and ensures that the government cannot control, dictate, or force you to promote a message that goes against your religious or nonreligious beliefs.

Nate Grasz

Nate Grasz

Policy Director
Nate is the Policy Director at Nebraska Family Alliance and host of the Capitol Report program.