Paulos:
Heath:
"Separation of Church and State" IS the first part of the Establishment Clause. The State must separate itself from appearances that it is supporting religion.
Sorry heath but this just isn't true.
congress shall make no law establishing religion does not equal there must be an invisible law between church and state.
What do you mean it isn't true? What I'm saying is that what people commonly refer to as "separation of church and state" is based on what is listed in the Establishment Clause. Do you think they are basing it on something else?
Who said anything about an "invisible line" (I think that's what you're referring to)? You can't make up phrases and references and then say I'm wrong.
Let me summarize:
(1) There is no mention of "separation of church and state" in the Constitution;
(2) What people are primarily thinking of when they say that is the Establishment Clause;
(3) The Establishment Clause is interpreted by three tests:
(a) The law must have a secular legislative purpose;
(b) Its principal or primary effect must be one that neither advances nor inhibits religion; and
(c) The statute must not foster an excessive government entanglement with religion.
(This is the test established by the US Supreme Court in 1971 still in effect. Not all people agree it is the proper test, but it is currently the controlling one.)
--Believe me when I say I know what I'm talking about on this subject.