Who says there's no separation of church and state?

Question

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."
-Religion Clauses of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution

"The purpose of the separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe for centuries."
-James Madison

"The government of the United States of America is not founded in any sense on the Christian religion..."
-Treaty of Tripoli, which was signed by John Adams and unanimously approved by the Senate in 1797

"The Convention, except for three or four persons, thought prayers unnecessary."
-Benjamin Franklin, regarding the Constitutional Convention

andy g: Not that I think that you have the capability of getting your head out of your a**, but they don't ban the display of Christian or other religious symbols except in government-run institutions (e.g. public schools, courthouses, etc.). Since these places are government-run institutions, having religious symbols in them would violate the religion clause of the First Amendment that I quoted here. The law doesn't apply to private, non-government entities, such as homes or parochial schools, so if you want to display a Nativity scene in your front yard year round, go for it!DUH!

andy g: Actually, the law applies to ALL religious symbols. However, more attention is focused on the display of Christian symbols, because it's usually Christian symbols, rather than, say, Jewish or Muslim symbols, that are put on display and lead to the court cases. But then again, I'm sure that no matter what, you're going to believe what you want to believe. By the way, I'm sure I love God more than you do. It's just that I choose to keep it private. It's like being in a romantic relationship. You don't have to have outward displays of affection to know you love each other, and you don't have to be outwardly religious to know that you love God. But then again, I suppose outward displays of religiosity help people reassure others (or themselves) of their devotion to God. Also, being respectful towards other people's religious views (or lack thereof) doesn't mean that you don't love God. But then again, I'm sure that Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson have told you something different.

Answer 1

The literal phrasing isn't in the Constitution because the concept was so obvious to the Founders (and anyone else who has studied Constitutional law in depth) that it went without saying. But it's nothing new to Constitutional scholars. The phrase was first adopted by the Supreme Court in 1878, who gave credit for it to Jefferson as the originator of the quote. According to the Court, the phrase should be taken "almost as an authoritative declaration of the scope and effect of the [1st] amendment thus secured." Reynolds v. U.S., 98 U.S. 145 (1878).

It's been US doctrine for almost 130 years, and was referred to in 1943 as "our accepted belief" and "cardinal in the history of this nation and for the liberty of our people". West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624 (1943). So those who missed it must not have been paying attention.

Answer 2

I do.

Within a few months of the start of the first Congress they hired a Chaplain. They've had one ever since. What could be plainer than that? Congress doesn't separate C & S.

What the second Amendment means is that Congress shall not institute a specific state religion or prefer one or several religions over all the others. That's not separation, that's equal treatment.

Answer 3

I don't know.

There are two glaring things that I just can't get over. One was Bush's use of Jesus in his sales pitch for the war a couple of years back. The other was from Hillary Clinton when speaking about making it a felony to help an illegal. They both used the power of Jesus's name to make their statements correct. I don't appreciate that all, and I won't be so lead by the nose with such statements. If you have merit then you don't need to borrow the power of God to validate your actions or opinions.

Answer 4

They make laws every day banning Christan symbols, especially at Christmas So what is your pitiful little argument?

It doesn't violate the law when other religious symbols are displayed Just the Christan ones. So get your empty head out of your own a*s and do the research you typical damnocrat!!!!! Oh you do not have that ability sorry!!!

No e-mail, typical, cry and whine but don't let anyone provide you with the facts!!!

Why do you hate GOD? is it your party's requirement?

Answer 5

This separation is only official - in practice it's merely words on a piece of paper. Ever heard of the Religious Right?

Answer 6

The reason the pilgrims came to the US is because of religious persicution. They wanted to make sure the same things doesn't happen here.

Answer 7

I'm with you, I wish my hoser congressman, Todd Akin, was -- he's not, not even close.