What does the separation of church and state refer to?

The separation of church and state fundamentally refers to the principle that government and religious institutions are kept separate to ensure that neither one influences or controls the other. This concept is rooted in the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, which prohibits the government from establishing an official religion or unduly favoring one religion over another. This separation is crucial in maintaining religious freedom and preventing any one religion from exerting power over governmental policies or the rights of individuals.

This principle aims to protect both institutional integrity—allowing religion to operate without government interference and ensuring that government actions do not favor or endorse religious beliefs. By maintaining this separation, the government can uphold the democratic ideals of pluralism and equal representation, allowing citizens of all faiths (or none at all) to coexist without fear of discrimination or bias.