Historical roots and philosophical foundations of the separation of church and state in the United States of America

In this study the historical and philosophical base of ?the separation of church and state? in the United States of America was analysed, evaluating the period from XVIIth century when the first permanent colonies were founded in the country till the adoption of constitutional amendment (The First Amendment) in 1791 that regulates the relationship between religion and state action. In the United States, where religion has featured in social and political life from the founding, the separation of church and state has been formulated related to religious composition in the country. Every sect in this pluralist religious structure perceived the separation as the guarantee of its own religious freedom. As a result, the separation upon which diverse religious groups largely agreed has been a practice that enriches the religious structures in the country.The dissertation is divided into three chapters grounded on cited ideas. The conceptual base of the subject and place of church-state relations in Christian tradition was expressed in chapter one. The imprint of religion to the founding was discussed in chapter two. Religious freedom and church-state relations practices of the colonies in the country was analysed in this context. In the third chapter, leading approaches which are considered to effect the First Amendment in the period after Independence was emphasized. Also in this chapter, the thoughts regarding the separation of church and state of personage like Isaac Backus, John Witherspoon, George Washington, John Adams, John Locke, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison were expounded.