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Explain separation of church and state?

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Separation of church and state means a number of things. Most importantly, the nation (state) does not control or regulate the legal activities of churches, and conversely, the churches do not hold to themselves the right to control the actions of the government, nor to approve or disallow laws passed, or proposed to be passed, by the government. It means that the government and its employees do not support one religious belief in preference to any other belief and do not provide religious instruction. However, this notion does not mean that the state should actively discourage any form of religious beliefs. The state may choose to provide tax relief or financial benefits to religious organisations, as long as there is no discrimination from one religious group to another.

In its broadest sense, the word 'church' includes any religious organisation, including non-Christian religions.

First answer by Dick Harfield. Last edit by Dick Harfield. Contributor trust: 1146 [recommend contributor ]. Question popularity: 1 [recommend question].

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