A more thorough explanation:

Definition: Separation of Church and State means that the government cannot favor any religion or force people to follow a particular religion. This idea comes from the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which says that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

Thomas Jefferson, who was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, used the phrase "wall of separation" to describe the relationship between church and state. This means that there should be a clear division between religious institutions and government institutions.

For example, in the case of Everson v. Board of Education, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional for a state to use public funds to pay for transportation to religious schools. This decision was based on the idea that the government should not be promoting or supporting any particular religion.

Another example is the controversy over displaying religious symbols, such as the Ten Commandments, in public spaces like courthouses or schools. Some people argue that these displays violate the principle of Separation of Church and State because they suggest that the government is endorsing a particular religion.

Overall, Separation of Church and State is an important principle in American democracy because it protects religious freedom and prevents the government from imposing religious beliefs on its citizens.