Separation of church and state

Separation of church and state is a phrase coined by Thomas Jefferson that refers to keeping government affairs separate from religious affairs. Most states in the world today are secular states have this separation, but some states (those that are theocracies or that have state religions) do not.

Motto of the French state, on a church door. "[The] French Republic" "Freedom, Equality, Friendship"

By country

United States

The phrase "separation of church and state" was coined by Thomas Jefferson, a Founding Father served as President of the United States from 1801–1809. While the phrase itself is not used, a clause preventing state religion exists in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

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• Secular state
• Secularism
• Freedom of religion