James Madison and Thomas Jefferson are two of the seven principal founding fathers of the United States. The purpose of the founders of the United States was to establish religious freedom in the colonies; therefore, religion was important to them. When the policy of separation of church and state was implemented by the founding fathers through the Constitution, it meant that under a secular government, religious freedom would always be protected. Problems such as freedom to practice one's religion arose in the early colonies, and the separation of church and state prevents these problems from happening again. The separation of Church and State protects the rights of all and guarantees religious freedom. This policy has proven to be nothing but a success for religion in America. The Founding Fathers created the Constitution to protect religious freedom. Within the Constitution is the guarantee of the separation between Church and State. For example, within schools the Supreme Court in the early 1960s ruled against compulsory worship in public schools. Some believe that the Court has “kicked God out of schools,” but that has not been the case. Instead, it ruled that neither politicians nor school officials, but parents, have the right to decide the religious education their children will receive. Today, many religious leaders in America support the guaranteed separation of church and state established and protected by the Constitution. They say they don't want to see any religion favored by the government. According to Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, religion was very important. Thomas Jefferson actually “revealed more about his faith than any other Founding Father.” The role of religion was so important to these founders that, along... half of the document... tp://www.au.org/resources/publications/americas-legacy-of-religious -libertà-transmettetela.Hutson, James. Library of Congress, "James Madison and the Social Utility of Religion:". Last modified May 31, 2001. (Accessed April 6, 2012). http://www.loc.gov/loc/madison/hutson-paper.html.Loconte, Joseph. The Heritage Foundation: Leadership for America, “James Madison and Religious Freedom.” (March 16, 2001). (accessed 6 April 2012). http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2001/03/james-madison-and-religious-liberty.Perry, Barbara, A. “Jefferson's Legacy on the Supreme Court: Freedom of Religion.” Journal of Supreme Court History 31, no. 2 (July 2006): 181-198. America: History & Life, EBSCOhost (accessed 6 April 2012). All about the story, "Separation of Church and State." (accessed 6 April 2012). http://www.allabouthistory.org/separation-of-church-and-state.htm.