Religion and the Law
Over the course of history, religion has been largely associated with laws that govern a society. In other words, ancient history and later historical movements can show several examples where the Church is mixed in with the State. Today, in many parts of the world, there is a separation between the two factions.
Early European History
During medieval times, the basis of monarchy was a theological one. Kings and rulers of Christian states governed according to the idea of divine right. Both the monarchy and society held the belief that God had bestowed the ruler with the divine right to rule.
During this time, several Catholic states gave ultimate power to the Pope who was said to have authority over the state and its kingdom. Power became highly centralized in Rome with the Catholic Church as the ruling entity after the fall of the Roman Empire during the fifth century.
The Church continued to expand during the 10th century. However, secular kingdoms also became powerful at the same time. This led to a battle over authority and marked the beginning of the conflict between Church and State in Europe.
Martin Luther, leader of the Protestant Reformation, introduced the "Doctrine of the Two Kingdoms," which conceptualized the idea of Separation of Church and State for the first time. During this time, Henry VIII was not allowed to end his marriage with Catherine of Aragon. Angered by the situation, King Henry separated himself from the Catholic Church and ruled England and the Anglican Church on his own. Not only did this end his marriage with Catherine, but also the marriage between Church and State in England.
Separation of Church and State in the US
The United States has had its own period of merging powers between the Church and State. The philosophies of John Locke and the "Social Contract" have influenced the drafting of the US Constitution and other religious issues that surfaced during the colonial period.
During the early years, America was composed of both catholic colonies and colonies without an established church. Roger Williams, who was the founder of the colony of Rhode Island, used the phrase "Wall of Separation" for the idea of separating the Church and State.
Thomas Jefferson later took the phrase and declared, in a letter to the Danbury Baptists, that there should be a separation. While drafting the First Amendment in the Constitution, Jefferson wrote, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." This marked the beginning of the separation of Church and State in the US.