A free debate open to the public will allow participants to consider their positions on separation of church and state — the distance between organized religion and the governmental entity.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State is a non-partisan educational organization that promotes the separation of church and state as the only way to ensure religious freedom for all Americans, according to their website.

The organization bases its mission statement on the First Amendment’s religious clauses.

Americans United has invited Bruce Prescott to argue the affirmative position and Steve Kern to argue the negative.

The speakers will argue their main points and give attendees the opportunity to express their own position.

There also will be a time after the debate for questions and answers from the audience.

This debate is scheduled from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, in rooms CU2 and CU3 in the College Union.

For more information about the upcoming debate, contact Jim Huff at jah30@cox.net or Mike Fuller at mf12@sbcglobal.net.

The Americans United website can be viewed at www.au.org for more information on the organization itself.