This document provides an overview of the relationship between church and state in America. It discusses how the country was founded on Christian principles based on evidence from historical documents and writings by the Founding Fathers. It also examines the true meaning of the separation of church and state, explaining that the First Amendment prohibits the government from establishing an official religion or interfering with religious practices. The document argues that modern views on issues like abortion and same-sex marriage would be disagreed with by the Founding Fathers based on their Christian beliefs and intentions for the nation.

1. WELCOME! The Christian In A Secular America Parkside Bible Fellowship Adult Summer Sunday School August 30, 2009 12th Session

2. The Separation of Church and State

4. Psalm 56: 1-4

5. Ephesians 5:1, 20

6. Isaiah 33:22

7. Proverbs 14:34

8. 2 Chronicles 7:14

9. Psalm 33:12

10. Psalm 9:17

11. Ezra 7:25

12. Fear and serve God

13. Put our faith in God, not man

14. Be Godlike and thank Him

15. God is our ultimate authority

16. Stay true to God’s Word

17. God’s promise to His people

18. God blessings who heed Him

19. God’s wrath upon nations who forget Him

21. CHURCH AND STATE French writer Alexis de Tocqueville, after visiting America in 1831, said, Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great!“ “For Americans, the ideas of Christianity and liberty are so completely mingled that it is almost impossible to get them to conceive of the one without the other…”

22. Was the United States Founded On Christian Principles?

23. CHURCH AND STATE Depends On How The Term Christian Nation Is Defined. Every Nation Is Founded On Certain Basic Principles Or Values, And Those Values Have Their Source In Religious Belief. If by Christian nation one means a nation in which everyone is a Christian, or in which only Christians are welcome, or in which non-Christians are second-class citizens. If by the term Christian nationone means a nation that was founded on Biblical values that were brought to the nation by its Founding Fathers who were Christians or influenced by God’s Word.

24. CHURCH AND STATE So, how do we know that our Founding Fathers were Christians and/or influenced by God? By the documents which established this nation. Mayflower Compact 1620 Fundamental Orders of Connecticut 1639 Maryland Religious Toleration Act of 1649 Seven of the original 13 Colonies were founded for religious purposes. Declaration of Independence 13 State Constitutions all acknowledged God----Today, all 50 State Constitutions acknowledged God.

25. CHURCH AND STATE So, how do we know that our Founding Fathers were Christians and/or influenced by God? Their own religious beliefs (55 writers of U.S. Constitution) 28 Episcopalians 8 Presbyterians 7 Congregationalists 2 Reformed 2 Lutherans 2 Methodists 2 Roman Catholics 1 unknown 3 Deists

26. CHURCH AND STATE So, how do we know that our Founding Fathers were Christians and/or influenced by God? Their own words. Analyzing the historical record.

27. CHURCH AND STATE So, As We Have Reviewed What The Founding Fathers Said And Intended, What Do You Think They Would Say About Our County Today? Disallowing Christian Practice in Government and Public Removing Prayer, 10 Commandments & the Bible from Schools Teaching Evolution in Schools Legalizing / Promoting Abortion Promoting Euthanasia / Assisted Suicide Promoting / Celebrating Homosexuality Same Sex marriage is equal to traditional marriage

28. The Separation of Church and State

29. CHURCH AND STATE True Meaning of“Separation of Church and State” First Amendment “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble; and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

30. CHURCH AND STATE “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise there of” TWO CLAUSES Establishment clause Free Exercise clause

31. CHURCH AND STATE Government CANNOT establish a national religion or promote one religion over another and must stay neutral in regards to religion is referred to as the ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE

32. CHURCH AND STATE Government CANNOT stop you from worshipping as you please is referred to as the FREE EXERCISE CLAUSE

34. No national religion can be established

35. “No governmental involvement or entanglement with religion”