Does the constitution mandate the separation of church and state?

It is NOT in the Constitution. The Constitution guarantees the freedom of religion. Separation of church and state is from Thomas Jefferson's reply to the Danbury Baptist Association Jan 1, 1802: GENTLEMEN,--The affectionate sentiments of esteem and approbation which you are so good as to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist Association, give me the highest satisfaction.My duties dictate a faithful and zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, and in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more and more pleasing 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 legislative 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 I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection and blessing of the common Father and Creator of man, and tender you for yourselves and your religious association, assurances of my high respect and esteem The purpose of separation of church and state was so that government could not control religion and no one religion could control the government. There was concern about government forcing one religion as had happened in England. There also was concern about one religion controlling the government.

Just for an example, if several top official were Catholics and were governing in the best interest of the Catholic church. Also the Pope, throughout history, had great influence over governments in Europe. The point of all of this was to make it so any one could practice any religion and the government could not stop you, or force you It is not in the Constitution.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.