Creating the United States

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Jefferson Reaffirms Separation of Church and State

Jefferson Reaffirms Separation of Church and State (122.02.00)

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In Thomas Jefferson’s Second Inaugural Address, March 4, 1805, the president strongly reaffirmed the stand on the separation of church and the federal government that he had made in his letter to the Danbury Baptist Association. Jefferson said he would leave the control of religion to “state or church authorities.”

(Transcription)

“In matters of Religion, I have considered that its free exercise . . .”


In Thomas Jefferson’s Second Inaugural Address, March 4, 1805, the president strongly reaffirmed the stand on the separation of church and the federal government that he had made in his letter to the Danbury Baptist Association. Jefferson said he would leave the control of religion to “state or church authorities.”