I always understood it the other way around.  "..., they meant that no state, as an organization, should have any hand in the church; in contrast to European governments."

>>> Dave Darnell <[log in to unmask]> 02/01/01 02:26PM >>>
OK, it seems to be a slow day on the list (people must be actually getting
some work done.)  So, I thought (oops) that I would submit this statement as
a seed.

"When the founding fathers talked of separation of church and state, they
meant that no church as an organization should have any hand in the
government, in contrast to European governments.  They did not intend for
the practice of religion to be excluded from government activities or
institutions. "

Dave "stirring the pot" Darnell