One, American Government and U.S. Constitution

Lesson 6 of 27:	Name: _______________________

Part II: The Founders' Basic Principles –	28 great Ideas that Changed the World

4th Principle : Role of Religion

Reading Assignment:	The 5000 Year Leap: Reading Assignment: (pages 75-92)

4. Without religion the government of a free people cannot be maintained.

Lesson objectives: the student should be able to discuss the following questions/topics:

1. What three important areas of learning did the founders want taught in the public schools? What document of that period contains these requirements? (pages 75-76)

Document: Northwest Ordinance of 1787 –

The 3 things that must be taught in schools: 1. Religion 2. Morality 3. Knowledge

2. Which religion was to be taught in the schools?

Which religion, p. 76? (farewell address quote) 'religion and morality are indispensable supports' and they are not mutually exclusive.

What are the five fundamental principles of all sound religions? (77-79)

(Thomas Jefferson) – can't be sectarian religion. Principles, Yes; Doctrine No thus, UNIVERSAL RELIGION ; RELIGION OF ALL MANKIND

The 5 fundamental points of all sound religion:

1.	There is a Creator.

2.	He has revealed a moral code.

3.	He holds mankind responsible for the way we treat one another.

4.	We live beyond this life.

5.	We will be judged for what we did in this life.

3. Describe the role of religion in American life as observed by Alexis de Tocqueville. (French Philosopher) (79-84)

•	- Visited 1831

•	-Religious aspect first thing he noticed.

•	-European philosophers were wrong.

-As liberty increased, religious zeal increased

•	-America – Christian religion is dominant

•	-religion taught in schools in New England

Role of the Clergy

•	-filled no public roles

•	-not attacked a political opponents

•	-politically separate from government

•	-separation of church and state but not state and religion

•	-Alert citizens to dangerous trends

•	-'America is great because she is good' – famous attributed quote

4. Describe the founders' campaign for equality of all religions. (84-85)

Religion and Federal Government

•	-Campaign for equality of religions

•	-7 states had state religions:

CT,MA -Congr.; NH,NJ & SC -Protes; DE&MD -Christian

5. Constitutionally, why and how did the founders exclude the federal government from involving itself in matters of religion? (86-89)

Why?-catastrophic - strife promoting if federal govt establishes religious policy

How?-1st Amendment prohibited Federal. Left to States (which never established it either)

6. What is the origin and meaning of the phrase "a wall of separation between church and state"? (89-90)

Wall of Separation between Church and State

•	Jefferson as Governor - Yes

•	Jefferson as President - No

•	(Danbury) Baptists asked why?

•	Must be a separation between church and state

-Meant: the Federal Government.

•	No problem with mixing in local areas!

7. How were the states encouraged to deal with matters involving religion? (90-92)

Affirmative Programs to encourage Religions on the state level.

-Equal Rights Among All

-Founding of Univ. VA

-disestablishment of Church of England in VA

-Jefferson: all churches requested to establish religious training centers around that University.