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Misusing History
Thomas Jefferson's "wall of separation" metaphor allowed the Supreme Court to redefine church-state law and policy—and not necessarily in a good way.
Daniel Dreisbach

In last week's article, Daniel Dreisbach told the story of how the bitterly contested election of 1800 brought the question of religion's place in civic life to the forefront and provided the backdrop to Jefferson's phrase "a wall of separation between Church & State." This week he raises the provocative question: Was Jefferson correct to say the First Amendment built a "wall of separation"? Or does the modern Court's use of this famous metaphor actually distort our understanding of the First Amendment? More …

Also:

DID YOU KNOW: Religious Liberty

ARMCHAIR HISTORIAN: From Uncle Tom's Cabin to "I Have a Dream"

ASK THE EXPERT: Why and when did Christians start constructing special buildings for worship?

QUIZ: The Holy Land

TODAY IN CHRISTIAN HISTORY: November 20

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: George Washington

Did You Know?

Though Americans fought for religious liberty in 1776 and passed a Constitutional amendment in 1791 to protect religious freedom, Connecticut did not disestablish its state-sponsored Congregational church until 1818, and Massachusetts not until 1833.

—Cassandra Niemczyk

You can learn more about Christianity and the American Revolution by visiting our archives.

Armchair Historian

From Uncle Tom's Cabin to "I Have a Dream"
Together, race and religion have been the driving forces in American political history.
Interview with Mark Noll

Ask the Expert

Why and when did Christians start constructing special buildings for worship?

Answered by Everett Ferguson

Submit your question: We will select one question per month.

Quiz

The Holy Land
For several centuries (long before the Crusades) Palestine was a Christian country, and this forever changed the history of the land. These Palestinian Christians carried on the legacy of the early church, preserved the biblical sites, and survived the Islamic conquest. Take this quiz to find out how much you already know, or can guess, about this chapter in Christian history.

Today in Christian History

November 20, 1541: In Switzerland, French reformer John Calvin, 32, established a theocratic government at Geneva, thereby creating a home base for emergent Protestantism throughout Europe (see issue 12: John Calvin).

November 20, 1572: The first Presbyterian meeting house in England is established at Wandsworth, Surrey.

November 20, 1620: Peregrine White, son of William and Susanna White, is the first child born on the Mayflower (see issue 41: The American Puritans).

November 20, 1806: Baptist preacher Isaac Backus, an influential voice in arguing for religious liberty in Massachusetts and later the United States, dies (see issue 6: Baptists).