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THE BASIS OF FREEDOM
The American heritage of church-state relations, always
complex, has generally been that of separation of church and
state. This relationship was not due merely to compromise
among diverse religious groups, but was founded on the
principle that religion flourishes the most where it is the most
free. The church does not need the state to sanction or support
it. Additionally, the state cannot be free without separation from
the church. The state does not rule its citizens in matters of
religion; religion relies on the voluntary response of men, not
participation coerced by the state.
JCS 3 (November 1961):123-29
SOURCE: Annotations of Journal of Church and State, Editorials and
Articles. The Separation of Church & State Defended. Selected Writings of
James E. Wood, Jr, Edited with an introduction by Derel H. Davis, J. M.
Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies. Baylor University, Waco, Texas,
(1995) p. 275
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