Why do LIBERALS think that Freedom of Religion means outlawing religion?

Question

The Bill of Rights is pretty straightforward in saying ...

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

I read that and I'm confused as to how liberals interpret that to mean that Christmas displays on the town square illegally violate a "separation of church and state". In fact, I can't find the phrase "separation of church and state" anywhere in the Constitution.

And why is it that liberals will defend to the death, by physically assaulting people with their man-purses if necessary, every kooky religion that people make up and then fight with the same zeal to eliminate only Christianity?

And what is their problem with people saying the Pledge of Allegiance?

"James F" again proves that he doesn't ever consider the question before he answers it. Yes the town square is public property but how you infer that someone setting up a Christmas display is tacit approval of Christmas by the local Government. In fact, I think the rule everywhere is that EVERYONE can put up whatever display's they want ... Government not prohibiting the free exercise thereof. The problem is that twitchy liberals only file lawsuits about Christian displays.

"john_stolworthy" ... thanks for the well thought-out post. Your citings of Jefferson are, unfortunately, irrelevant. If people respected the intentions of the founders we wouldn't be having these debates today.

As a self-proclaimed liberal I appreciate that you're open to all kinds of displays being allowed on public property, you are however one of the few. I don't know of any municipality that only allows Christian displays so ultimately the only problem we're all having here is that your fellow liberals, like those in the ACLU, will sue to stop all Christian display's everywhere (while suing to protect the rights of people who want to fornicate with the displays).

If liberals were as tolerant as you there would be no debate. Instead, it's the few rotten million liberals that ruin it for the other eleven.

Answer 1

I agree with what your saying...I believe that its a conspiracy to bring down our country and what our forefathers wrote in the consitution. By getting people to stop saying the Pledge of Allegiance and even taking God out of it..is to me the work of the KKK and other radical groups that have since changed their image. If we stick together ...those of us that truly believe in the Constitution and freedom of religion and all that our fallen comrades died for and our forefathers set for us...

Answer 2

As a liberal, I have to say that I don't think that freedom of religion means outlawing religion. However, in your particular example, since the town square is public property, a Christmas display in it could reasonably be interpreted as a public/government sponsorship of Christianity, which has been well defined as falling under the meaning of "establishment of religion."

I don't personally have any problem with people saying the pledge of allegiance, but forcing children to listen to and/or hear it is pretty abhorrent. "One nation under God"? How is that not sponsoring religion?

Edit: You don't really give enough information to be able to say whether or not courts would allow the displays in the particular instance you're talking about, but the Supreme Court HAS ruled that certain displays, namely ones sponsored by the government (or ones someone would reasonably believe was sponsored by the government) and appearing without any other symbols, violate the establishment clause. If the town square were completely limited to private displays of speech, then it would be permissible, or if it was part of a dispaly with non-religious symbols, it would be fine.

Answer 3

I am a Christian and a liberal. I have no problem with the free exercise of ANY religion. The problem I have is when the government uses the teachings of ONE religion, the dominant one, to limit the freedom of people, religious or non-religious.

As for the term "seperation of Church and State":
Thomas Jefferson first used that term in a letter to a group identifying themselves as the Danbury Baptists. In that letter, Jefferson referred to a "wall of separation between church and state." So, Thomas Jefferson was a liberal and he wrote the Declaration of Independence. Guess you don't like that document or his agenda too much either.

To quote something else Thomas Jefferson said; "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg."

This country was founded on the principle of "all men are created equal". I have no problem with Christmas displays in public buildings, as long as equal space is given for Hanukkah displays, Kwanzaa displays, and Winter Solstice displays, as well as any other religious or neo-religious group that celebrates a holiday at that time of year.

I also have no problem with the Pledge of Allegience as it was written in 1892. It was:
"I pledge allegiance to my flag and the republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty, equality and justice for all."
You will notice the word "equality" was removed and "under God" added. You can't have it both ways, I guess.

Answer 4

Your premise is incorrect. Most liberals do not think freedom of religion means outlawing religion. Indeed, they don't believe the government should be screwing around with religion at all. Government is not competent to do that.

Most liberals also don't have a problem with people saying the Pledge of Allegiance. Some, however, do not necessarily want the government to order their children to say it.

Answer 5

Answerman has it right. As for the "pledge", I personally don't have a problem with it. Some people have an issue with "God" being in it, perhaps a broader definition would be appropriate to include those who are spiritual but not religious as well as other philosophies (ie Atheism, Agnoticism, etc.)

BTW Dave, I see your pretty active spouting hate and false accusations toward those that don't subscribe to your right-wing ideology (ie liberals say their alligence to China, USSR, etc.). Perhaps YOU are a "paid shrill" for Newsmax.com. Stop hating it's not good for your mental health as evidenced by your blind hatred for the "left".

Answer 6

Gotta be politics. for sure, the Israelite do no longer choose Arabs to vote. they might carry sentiments approximately destroying the folk of Israel. that is probable no longer apartheid because of the fact it has to handle African segregation and its historic previous, in spite of the undeniable fact that that is probable a sort of segregation. Hmm purely understand I have been given voted down for this. i'm no longer asserting that is apartheid. in spite of the undeniable fact that if what's he's asserting is authentic, than segregation is maximum in all probability occurring the two for the solid or the undesirable. as an occasion, the ban on vote casting for some Arabs. And if human beings can no longer settle for this obvious fact than you're dropping it sluggish debating a topic rely in view which you have already made up your recommendations. anyone who remotely disagrees with this regulation get voted down. i ask your self why?

Answer 7

American liberals specifically hate Christianity because it's the dominate religion of America and they hate that Christianity calls to light the evil in the things they support.

Liberals don't have a problem with the Pledge of Allegiance, it's just that they say their pledge to China, Cuba, and the former USSR.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HEY, "professor", the name is David. Thanks for the LIBELOUS comments about me. You say that I spout hate and false accusations, please keep in mind that you have almost 1,000 answers and questons in your pile of filth that are filled with far more hate and false accusations than I've ever dreamed of.

Glad to know that I managed to stike a nerve.

Answer 8

Liberals believe in freedom of all religions such as islam, fula gong, and yes even christianty

Answer 9

No, but do not force your religion on me, it is my right also, bub to worship as I wish. That means not in school or other public place.

Answer 10

WHY DO NEOCONS WANT TO TURN MY KIDS GRADESCHOOL INTO A CHURCH?

PRAY AT HOME OR IN CHURCH, KEEP YOUR RELIGION OUT OF MY FACE. YOUR RELIGION AND MY RELIGION MAY BE 2 DIFFERENT RELIGIONS AND WHY SHOULD YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO PUSH YOURS ON OTHERS?