Religion Not in Opposition to Social Duties

Hey, does one of the earliest and key papers used to argue a barrier should exist between church and state actually say religion is quite alright in government?

I believe it does.

The idea of separation of church and state has been traced by some to a letter Thomas Jefferson wrote, in which he wrote of a "wall of separation between church and State."

I find the letter to be arguing religion should not be removed from government, that there is nothing in the practice of religion that stands in opposition to the public duties.

Public duties include those of public officials, so this would indicate religion should be allowed in the performance of public duties by public officials.

Here's the whole quote, taken from his letter. The part I refer to is at the very end:

"Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his god, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their 'legislature' should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between church and State. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties."

Jefferson's letter was written in 1802 to a minority group, the Danbury Baptists, who were concerned about being dominated by the Congregationalist church in Connecticut.