The United States of America: once a small colony, now one of the most powerful nations in the world; a nation that has been fraught with wars, protests and ongoing conflict between religion and state. This essay will investigate the relationship between religion and the state, discuss state statements about this relationship, and the practice of these statements. Americans have marginalized the Muslim community since the September 11 attacks, largely due to their Christian origins and misinterpretations of Islam. Christianity has been present in America since the colonial era (1600-1700) and for over three centuries it has dominated and dominated and has become deeply rooted in American society. Islam, however, was only recently introduced and this has caused misinterpretation among Islamic (or Muslim) believers residing in America. After the attacks of September 11, 2001, there was enormous hatred towards Muslims as they were interpreted as a religion that promotes destruction in the name of "Jihad", or as it is often mistranslated as "Holy War". Although the meaning of 'Jihad' is much broader than just 'holy war', it is an internal struggle, within each Muslim, "... to be a good Muslim and at the same time advance the cause of 'Islam". The Western conception of the term 'jihad', however, has been distorted to be linked to terrorism. Whereas Christians claim to promote the qualities of hard work, honesty, and moderation, and are therefore highly regarded in American society, not only because of their supposedly all-encompassing teachings, but also because of their dominance as a religion in the world western. .In 2000, Christians made up the majority of the population in America. Indicated by the American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS)...... center of document ......ion/amendment01/Robinson, B.A. (2009, December 15). Religious discrimination embedded in the. Retrieved May 29, 2010, from Religious Tolerance: http://www.religioustolerance.org/texas.htmRobinson, B. A. (2007, December 14). Separation of Church and State. Retrieved May 29, 2010, from Religious Tolerance: www.religioustolerance.org/scs_intr.htmRobinson, B.A. (2000, September 26). The Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Retrieved May 29, 2010, from Religious Tolerance: http://www.religioustolerance.org/rfra.htmSacirbey, O. (2007, December 4). Does the United States tolerate anti-Muslim speech? Retrieved May 30, 2010, from The Christian Science Monitor: http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1204/p02s02-usgn.htmlTHE U.S. GOVERNMENT vs. INDIVIDUAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN THE USA (n.d.). Retrieved May 29, 2010, from Religious Tolerance: www.religioustolerance.org/govt_con.htm