Where does the phrase “separation of church and state” come from?
A. the Declaration of Independence
B. the First Amendment of the Constitution
C. a letter Jefferson wrote to the Danbury Baptists
D. a speech Jefferson gave to the Congregational Church
C. a letter Jefferson wrote to the Danbury Baptists
The phrase "separation of church and state" comes from a letter Thomas Jefferson wrote to the Danbury Baptists, who had expressed concerns about religious freedom. The correct answer is C. a letter Jefferson wrote to the Danbury Baptists.
The correct answer is C. The phrase "separation of church and state" comes from a letter that Thomas Jefferson wrote to the Danbury Baptists in 1802. In this letter, Jefferson used the phrase to explain his understanding of the First Amendment's establishment clause, which states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion." The purpose of this phrase was to reassure the Baptists that the government would not interfere with their religious practices or favor any particular religion.
