James Madison: Separation of Church Research Proposal

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For Madison, the Constitution provides for a distinction between what he calls the "authority of human laws and the "natural rights of Man," the latter including the right of religious choice.

In the same document, Madison opposes interference from the government in matters religious on the grounds of five reasons. The most significant of these is the third reason: "They seem to imply and certainly nourish the erroneous idea of a national religion." (Madison)3. According to Madison, the idea of a national religion is erroneous, because the Constitution allows for choice of religion.

Furthermore, Madison recognizes religion as an entirely different area of philosophy and study than that of politics. Politics have a specific philosophical ground from which it operates. Politicians, according to Madison's document, cannot by any means claim themselves as experts of religion, as little as religious officials can advise their flock on political matters. Madison promotes the separation of church and state, because the two are mutually exclusive areas of expertise. Imposing the one upon the other would detract from the democratic nature of the Constitution.

Madison believes that governments who impose religion upon their citizens do so as a result of their personal religious beliefs rather than for the promotion of good government. He also believes that doing so constitutes a fundamental underestimation of the intelligence and indeed rights of citizens to choose their own religious paths. For Madison, religion and politics are two widely diversified fields, and should be accepted as such by both citizens and the government, if the latter is to remain democratic rather than despotic.

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As such, citizens' rights to choose their religious views should be viewed on the same level as their right to choose their political views; without having to fear persecution in any form.

In 1792, Madison (Allison, 2009)

published an article in National Gazette, which addressed the issue of citizens' rights to choose their religious belief without fear of interference by government. Madison wrote the article in the form of a dramatic dialogue between a Republican and Anti-republican, addressing the issues surrounding the freedom of religious choice. According to the Anti-republican, citizens should surrender their right of choice to the government, implying that the government "knows better" in such matters. This is the very attitude against which Madison argues. He argues that citizens do not abruptly lose their intelligence as soon as the government is elected. Instead, they retain their basic rights, and should be allowed to engage in religious practice without governmental interference.

While many disagreed with Madison, Thomas Jefferson did not. In a 1788 letter, Jefferson told Madison that the universal application of choice in religious matters is more beneficial than harmful to society: "…it is better to establish trials by jury, the right of Habeas corpus, freedom of the press and freedom of religion in all cases…than not to do it in any......

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