This course starts in 1680 with the Divine Right of Kings and shows how thinkers at the time evolved the idea of separation of church and state. Examine how the Founding Fathers adopted this idea and included it in our Constitution. Review court decisions over a long period of time that have supported separation followed by a look at how separation has more recently been eroded by various legal actions and court decisions, and how this impacts our education, health care, civil rights, and the rights of women, minorities, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.