The idea separation of church and state has been a defining principle in American politics since the days before the American Revolution. The interpretation and implementation of this principle into our society has been a hotly debated issue for the entirety of our country’s history. There are two major ways of interpreting this ideology, and these interpretations deeply affect the ideology’s implementation. The ideology can be interpreted as preventing the state from controlling the policies of the church, or as preventing the church from controlling the policies of the state. I make the case that the latter interpretation of this ideology holds far greater importance for the individual freedoms of our nation’s citizens. With this in mind,
