Curated OER
Social Studies: Church and State
Discuss the separation of church and state as it relates to government entities. This is a great way to launch a discussion on the relationship between these groups. Learners analyze this relationship in governments throughout the world,...
Curated OER
Reformation
Students examine the need for Reformation of the church. In this Reformation instructional activity, students understand our freedom in Christ as compared to receiving salvation through actions. Students participate in an activity that...
Curated OER
Faith-Based Initiatives: Separation of Church and State
Students examine the role of religion in everyday life. In this religion and ethics lesson, students investigate the use of government funds to support faith-based initiatives. The lesson calls for students to conduct research, watch...
Curated OER
Faith-Based Initiatives
Students examine faith-based initiatives. In this religion and ethics lesson, students consider the separation of church and state in the United States as they examine government funding of social service programs that are affiliated...
Curated OER
Roots of Religious Liberty
Students examine the First Amendment and consider the contributions of James Madison and Thomas Jefferson. They review conflicts between the rights of Church and State and write a Madisonian argument on the issue.
Curated OER
Religious Freedom
Sixth graders examine the religious issues of the early settlers in the New World and the current issue of separation of church and state. They discuss a list of colonial laws from the 1600s, participate in a class discussion, and in...
Curated OER
Religion In The Schools
Students are introduced to the concepts of the Equal Access Act and the legalities of religious meetings on campus and between students by a visiting judge. Students participate in a role-play to decide which religious-themed activities...
University of Missouri
Exploring Constitutional Conflicts: Exploring Constitutional Law
Although the Constitution is the supreme law of the land, its interpretation is open to many opinions, causing great controversies. Students can read the Constitution as well as the many issues that surround the document. If that proves...
Other
Cq Press: Theocracy
This encyclopedia entry explores theocracy the world over, including the later 20th century growth of Muslim theocracies.
Illinois Institute of Technology
Oyez: Summary of Zelman v. Simmons Harris
This is a great summary of Zelman v. Simmons-Harris where the Supreme Court upheld school vouchers. Gives the dates the case was heard and decided, facts of the case, legal question presented, the courts decision, and how each justice...
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: Religion in America
Since the establishment of the United States religion has played a critical role in its identification as a nation. The original settlers had insisted on the separation of church and state. Find a collection of documents which...
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: Religion and American Life
An evolving section, Religion and American Life, will address the roles of immigration and religious freedom in the United States paving a long and open road of religous traditions, literature and artwork.
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: Religion and American Law
The establishment of the new nation introduced the first nation to not be sanctioned with one specific religion. The United States founders, instead, asked that religion and government be separated. Review the history of the relationship...
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: Religion in American Politics
The Constitution establishes a separation of church and state, but the two are always connected in some way. Understand the connections that are unavoidable and how governments work through them.
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Colonial Williamsburg: Colonial Religion
The site provides a detailed overview of role religion played in the lives of the colonists. Content explores how religion played a part in the Revolution, and the statute for religious freedom, as well as providing a lesson plan, a link...
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Jfk Presidential Library and Museum: Campaign of 1960
John F. Kennedy would be elected in November, 1960, as the youngest president ever voted into office. Here read about the Democratic convention, the debates between Kennedy and Richard Nixon, and find out about the issues of the...
ProCon.org
Pro Con: Churches and Taxes: Should They Remain Exempt?
Website dedicated to pro and con arguments on controversial issues examines whether or not religious institutions (churches, mosques, Synagogues, etc.) should remain tax exempt. Includes pro and con arguments, quotes, background...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Religion: John Mayfield
Primary resource of John Mayfield, as he discusses civic life, religion and the growth of American democracy in an excerpt from "Toward the Millennium," ch. 8 in The New Nation: 1800-1845, 1982 (rev. ed.)
Digital History
Digital History: Fundamentalism and Pentecostalism
The late 19th century was a time of scientific theory, inquiry, and teaching. Read about the backlash to such modernism in the early 20th century with the ideas from Christian Fundamentalism and Pentecostalism. Find the five fundamentals...
Digital History
Digital History: Religious Freedom and the Founders
Read the background for the Founding Fathers' support of freedom of religion and separation of church and state. Included are parts of letters in which George Washington and Thomas Jefferson celebrate the fact that the United States was...
Digital History
Digital History: The Puritans
This article paints a picture of Puritans somewhat different from common myth. Read about their ideas of separation of church and state, and even their love of color.
Social Studies Help Center
Social Studies Help Center:how Did the Warren Court Protect the Citizens' Rights
The Warren Court was a busy one. Read about the famous decisions made by that court in just a few years.
CNN
Cnn: 10 Commandments Judge Removed From Office
An important situation in regard to the subject of the separation of church and state. At this CNN site, read about Judge Roy Moore and his stand on the Ten Commandments.
Other
Bible Prophecy: The Root of American Religious Liberty Roger Williams
A detailed explanation of the complex debate between John Cotton and Roger Williams about religious and civil liberty.