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Again, you're more than entitled to have this opinion. However, it is a minority opinion. The majority of Americans, and more importantly the Judicial branch of the US (the people tasked by the Constitution to interpret such things), believe that the concept of separation of Church and State is clearly within the 1st Amendment of our Constitution (and to the extent with which it applies to the States, the 14th).
I am sure our forefathers really wanted a Theocracy seeing that it worked so well in Europe!
Actually, it is said that in the 1500's in Geneva there were no beggars because the church, under the direction of John Calvin, did its job so well. They had deacons and sub-deacons that were charged with the task of ministering to the poor.
No...it really isn't. The Constitution never says that local or state governments can't make laws establishing religion.
You understand that Amendments are part of the Constitution? The 14th Amendment says that local and/or state governments cannot pass laws that infringe on the civil rights of American citizens. Therefore the Constitution does say that.
The word "God" does not appear within the text of the Constitution of the United States. After spending three-and-a-half months debating and negotiating about what should go into the document that would govern the land, the framers drafted a constitution that is secular.
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The preamble of the Constitution invokes the people of the United States. It does not invoke any sort of God
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The Constitution forbids any religious test to hold office. A godless person is just as eligible as a godly one! (Article 6, Paragraph 3)
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At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, Benjamin Franklin strongly suggested on June 28 that the convention have prayers said there. Evangelists take this as proof that the convention then went on with prayers. But, in fact, the convention did not accept the suggestion, and the convention went on without prayers.
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"It is true that the literal phrase 'separation of church and state' does not appear in the Constitution, but that does not mean the concept isn't there. The First Amendment says "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...."
To start I would like the Holy Bible treated , in the public school , like a book and not the plague . For today I would like stupid people to stop calling Christine O'Donnell stupid , she is correct .
She's correct but she's also stupid as the day is long. She couldn’t remember certain key Amendments during her most recent debate. For somebody who has publicity stated she got a “Graduate fellowship in Constitutional Government from the Claremont Institute in Claremont, CA.” you’d think she be more will versed. She doesn’t sound that sharp when you take this into consideration. It also brings up the question how do you get a graduate fellowship when you haven’t completed the requirements for your bachelor’s degree?
On another note studying the Bible is perfectly valid as literature. It's NOT proper for a teacher to use it to openly solicit others to pray or to promote religion.
You're conceding the posters point that the Constitution can't be looked at as a strictly literal document - concepts, ideals, and principles are embedded within its language.
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Originally Posted by ovcatto
Well of course the argument is specious, purposefully so. Of course the Framers™ couldn't have possibly envisioned the not only the invention of flying machines but that those machines would become as important as ships of the line, which underlines how silly it is to hold to an absolute construction view of the Constitution.
i have always looked at the constitution as a frame work for our government, and the laws that are passed. i have also recognized the fact that the constitution can be amended, but the founding fathers were wise enough to make the process difficult to prevent having 150 amendments to the constitution over the years. however even today the government needs to get back to following the constitution, rather than shredding it at every turn. but it is we the people, and the individual states that are going to have to rein in the federal government. and much of it may have to be done through the courts.
that is what the courts are for. if a group of church leaders get together and push legislation through congress that say stops muslims from building mosques, the courts can step in and slap down the law as being unconstitutional. it is part of the checks and balances in the system.
Until the courts are as partisan and biased as the people who push through the laws (which they arguably are).
If you look at the courts, any controverisial decision that goes 5-4, its not hard to figure where 8 of them end up...
If you read through some of the supreme court opinions many of these justices adeptly twist the law and precedent for their views. Take the courts and rehearing prior cases that have been decided. Take the constant debate over putting justices in the court who will overturn Roe V. Wade. The court is just as easily manipulated as the lawmakers. It just occurs over a slower timeline because they aren't subject to reelection.
All a bunch of Christian leaders need to do right now is get an ultra right winger in when Kennedy goes.
The same goes for all the lower courts as well, judges are appointed by elected officials and its all repaying favors.
So, if the state is to sponsor any religion which should it be; Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist? If one is chosen then should all convert to it? What would happen to people of other faiths? I believe we can find an answer to these questions by looking at nations who have done just that such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, etc. Those are not countries in which I would want to live. That's why the government should NEVER endorse any religion. The United States is a place for all faiths. Keep religion in the home and the church where it belongs and leave our government and public schools out of it.
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