there is more religious liberty in England than anywhere on the Continent, and as much as in the
United States.
- The last and most important step in the progress of religious liberty was taken by the
United States of America in the provision of the Federal Constitution of 1787, which excludes all
religious tests from the qualifications to any office or public trust. The first amendment to the
Constitution (1789) enacts that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."^103
Thus the United States government is by its own free act prevented from ever establishing
a state-church, and on the other hand it is bound to protect freedom of religion, not only as a matter
of opinion, but also in its public exercise, as one of the inalienable rights of an American citizen,
like the freedom of speech and of the press. History had taught the framers of the Constitution that
persecution is useless as well as hateful, and that it has its root in the unholy alliance of religion
with politics. Providence had made America a hospitable home for all fugitives from
persecution,—Puritans, Presbyterians, Huguenots, Baptists, Quakers, Reformed, Lutherans, Roman
Catholics, etc.—and foreordained it for the largest development of civil and religious freedom
consistent with order and the well-being of society. When the colonies, after a successful struggle
for independence, coalesced into one nation they could not grant liberty to one church or sect
without granting it to all. They were thus naturally driven to this result. It was the inevitable destiny
of America. And it involved no injustice or injury to any church or sect.
The modern German empire forms in some measure a parallel. When it was formed in 1870
by the free action of the twenty or more German sovereignties, it had to take them in with their
religion, and abstain from all religious and ecclesiastical legislation which might interfere with the
religion of any separate state.
The constitutional provision of the United States in regard to religion is the last outcome
of the Reformation in its effect upon toleration and freedom, not foreseen or dreamed of by the
Reformers, but inevitably resulting from their revolt against papal tyranny. It has grown on Protestant
soil with the hearty support of all sects and parties. It cuts the chief root of papal and any other
persecution, and makes it legally impossible. It separates church and state, and thus prevents the
civil punishment of heresy as a crime against the state. It renders to Caesar the things that are
Caesar’s, and renders to God the things that are God’s. It marks a new epoch in the history of
legislation and civilization. It is the American contribution to church history. No part of the federal
constitution is so generally accepted and so heartily approved as that which guarantees religious
liberty, the most sacred and most important of all liberties. It is regarded almost as an axiom which
needs no argument.
Religious liberty has thus far been fully justified by its effects. It has stimulated the fullest
development of the voluntary principle. The various Christian churches can live in peace and
harmony together, and are fully able to support and to govern themselves without the aid of the
secular power. This has been proven by the experience of a century, and this experience is the
strongest argument in favor of the separation of church and state. Christianity flourishes best without
a state-church.
(^103) Ph. Schaff, Church and State in the United States, New York, 1888.