5-30-26 Separation of Church and State - Jefferson’s Wall Was Protection Not Exclusion

Separation of Church and State Its Original Intent Jefferson’s Wall Was Protection, Not Exclusion Thomas Jefferson’s “wall of separation” phrase is often used today as if it meant God must be removed from public life. But in his letter to the Danbury Baptists, Jefferson was reassuring religious people that government would not interfere with their faith. He said religion was a matter between man and God, and that government had authority over actions, not opinions. The wall was meant to protect religious exercise from government intrusion. It was not meant to build a secular prison around public life. REMEMBER. Jefferson’s wall was meant to protect the Church from the State, not protect the State from God. Independence. Freedom. Liberty. RIFL Society @RiflSociety2026