Question: what did the founders mean by separation of church and state

title: Separation of church and state in the United States
text: Jefferson and James Madison 's conceptions of separation have long been debated . Jefferson refused to issue Proclamations of Thanksgiving sent to him by Congress during his presidency , though he did issue a Thanksgiving and Prayer proclamation as Governor of Virginia . Madison issued four religious proclamations while President , but vetoed two bills on the grounds they violated the first amendment . On the other hand , both Jefferson and Madison attended religious services at the Capitol . Years before the ratification of the Constitution , Madison contended `` Because if Religion be exempt from the authority of the Society at large , still less can it be subject to that of the Legislative Body . '' After retiring from the presidency , Madison wrote of `` total separation of the church from the state . '' `` `` Strongly guarded as is the separation between Religion & Govt in the Constitution of the United States , '' Madison wrote , and he declared , `` practical distinction between Religion and Civil Government is essential to the purity of both , and as guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States . '' In a letter to Edward Livingston Madison further expanded , `` We are teaching the world the great truth that Govts . do better without Kings & Nobles than with them . The merit will be doubled by the other lesson that Religion flourishes in greater purity , without than with the aid of Govt . '' Madison 's original draft of the Bill of Rights had included provisions binding the States , as well as the Federal Government , from an establishment of religion , but the House did not pass them . 

Answer: answer: Jefferson and James Madison's conceptions of separation have long been debated. Madison wrote, and he declared, ``practical distinction between Religion and Civil Government is essential to the purity of both".