Separation of Church and State in the United States (1997)

WHEREAS, the Courts of the United States have traditionally prevented all attempts to combine Church and State in violation of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and of the constitutions of the various states; and

WHEREAS, the RelIgious Right, a broad coalition of politically active fundamentalist Christian leaders, continues to pressure congress into passing laws that would legislate their brand of "morality," including the introduction of prayer in the public schools and public funding of religious symbols;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that THE UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM opposes all forms of organized public prayer, religious exercises or sectarian bible classes in primary and secondary public schools, including "moments of silence or meditation" by which prayer is expressly or implicitly encouraged or recommended; it being the firm position of THE UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM that prayer, religious experiences and religious education are the responsibilities of the home, the synagogue and other places of worship; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that THE UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM opposes the public funding or display on public grounds of religious symbols which imply public support of religious doctrines; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that THE UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM undertake to inform its affiliated congregations of the importance of the separation of Church and State and asks the members of the congregations to communicate their feelings with the appropriate public officials.