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Yes, the court in the 1800 used the letter from Jefferson and this is where the commies take their stand. They do not take it from the Constitution itself. And I believe that the letter is even taken out of context.

No...The former Klansman and Supreme Court Justice, Hugo Black (an FDR nominee), was the first to cite Jefferson's letter to the Danbury Baptist Association with regard to a legal "separation of Church and State." True, James Madison himself did write about a separation of church and state, the Court did rule in favor of the Roman Catholic Church in Bradfield v. Roberts. I don't think Madison's concept of separation is in line with the ACLU's. This is where common sense and idiocy part ways forever.

Now, I do not think that we set up a theocracy, but we did set it up so the Government could not tell the Church what to do. And they set it up so Religion was not restricted. I think when you keep someone from praying you are prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

Jefferson's remarks to the Danbury Baptists were aimed at more theocratic elements in state governments, particularly Connecticut, which was largely Congregationalist. Many have read the famous and infamous 1802 Danbury letter, but do they know what inspired Jefferson's response?

Madison and Jefferson were both correct in fearing a state-church merger, or a "religious test," as could be found in some state governments. They, and the Supreme Court of the U.S. in 1899, did not have in mind excluding all displays of religion on government property, so much as they worried about the financial assistance, and apparent endorsement, of one sect above all others.

Thanks for the correction. (that is one of the reason I like FR, you get corrected and that is a good thing) I was thinkging Danbury was efferenced during the debate in 1800s.

And I concur with this:

did not have in mind excluding all displays of religion on government property, so much as they worried about the financial assistance, and apparent endorsement, of one sect above all others.

Allow me to go here. The below is from the Danbury letter:

Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.

In the letter Jefferson is talking about the 1st Amendment. As a Christian, I believe that the first gift God gave man is free will. Who I am and who is the Government to come up to any individual and tell them they have to attend the Glory Bound Bible Thumping Church every Sunday. I think our Natural Rights could be free will. A Government that would establish a religion would also remove man's free will. Reading to much into it?