separation of church and state

Cultural  

1. The principle that government must maintain an attitude of neutrality toward religion. Many view separation of church and state as required by the First Amendment (see also First Amendment). The First Amendment not only allows citizens the freedom to practice any religion of their choice, but also prevents the government from officially recognizing or favoring any religion.

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The relationship between church and state has been extremely controversial since the first settlers arrived in America to escape religious persecution in Europe, and many cases involving the issue have reached the Supreme Court.

Interpretation of the principle has been ambiguous: for instance, the Supreme Court has recently upheld laws prohibiting prayer in the schools but has permitted the construction of Nativity scenes on government property. (See also established church (see also established church) and freedom of religion.)

Example Sentences

Similar to the concept of America's "separation of church and state", proponents of laïcité believe that state institutions should be religiously neutral.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

Wills, who is himself a Catholic, called the separation of church and state embodied in the First Amendment’s Establishment clause “a stunning innovation,” the one unique, genius thing about our nation’s founding document.

From Salon • Mar. 8, 2026

Supreme Court decisions on religion and instead maintained a sturdier separation of church and state.

From Slate • Sep. 19, 2025

But so was the right not to worship; the separation of church and state is as key to our democracy as the notion that all people are created equal.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 23, 2024

Referring to them as sacred might feel uncomfortable, because the First Amendment of the Constitution tells us that this nation legally mandates separation of church and state.

From "An Indigenous People’s History of the United States" by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz