opposition to church-state separation

/ˌɒpəˈzɪʃən tuː tʃɜːrt steɪt ˌsɛpəˈreɪʃən/
noun phraseIntermediate
⚖️Law
formal

The stance or resistance against the principle that religious institutions and government should operate independently, without one influencing or controlling the other.

The group's opposition to church-state separation stems from their belief that religious values should guide public policy.

Their stance against the separation of church and state is rooted in the conviction that faith should inform governance.

💡

This concept is central to secular governance and is often debated in legal and political contexts.

Collocations

advocate for church-state separationto support the principle of keeping religion and government independentviolate church-state separationto blur the boundaries between religious institutions and government

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

wall of separationphrase
a metaphor for the boundary between church and state
establishment clausephrase
the constitutional provision prohibiting government endorsement of religion

💡Pro Tip

Context Matters

This phrase is typically used in legal, political, or academic discussions, not in casual conversation.

Gold Rule

Precision in Usage

Use this phrase when referring specifically to debates about the role of religion in government, not general disagreements.

📖Word Origin

Derived from the legal and political principle of separating religious and governmental authority, often traced to Enlightenment-era thinkers like Thomas Jefferson.

📝Usage Notes

This phrase is commonly used in discussions about constitutional law, religious freedom, and the role of religion in public life.

Word Breakdown

opposition
resistance or disagreement
root
+
church-state
the relationship between religious and governmental institutions
compound
+
separation
the act of keeping entities distinct
root
English Dictionary