Separation of Church & State Week – November 17-23, 2024

History of Separation of Church & State Week

By organizing the first National Bible Week, President Roosevelt set a tradition followed by every president since. In response, the Separation of Church & State Week was conceived to promote the fight against the encroachment of religion in public institutions by rallying for a secular government and celebrating the secular values of the U.S. It advocates for religious liberty, freedom to worship, and other secular rights of the American people. It is a good time to understand our duty as citizens of the republic to defend our unalienable rights.

The first use of the phrase ‘separation of church and state’ comes from a letter written by President Thomas Jefferson to Baptists from Danbury, Connecticut, in 1802. In the letter, he reiterates that religion is the one thing that rests solely between a man and his God. He stood his ground against their request to establish a national church, citing the United States Bill of Rights, which he mentioned also meant the government would not interfere in their freedom of religion. The 1791 Bill of Rights made ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution and was among the first political expressions of religious liberty. The 1954 promulgation of the Johnson Amendment also implied a clear separation of church and state, setting a landmark precedent.

Activists, liberals, and intellectuals also raise their voices to educate the people about the importance of the wall limiting government interference in people’s religious choices. The week’s participants take inspiration from the remarkable work done by establishments like American Atheists and The Freedom From Religion Foundation. The American Humanist Association uses the week to promote advocacy for victims of violation.