Amendment I (1791) to the Constitution specifically states Freedom of Religion.
No where does it state the rights of Atheists or Agnostics.
Is this relevant?
Is this topic open for interpretation for the individual or since there was no specific wording for non-belief, does that mean it has no inalienable rights under the constitution?
2006-09-20 05:41:23 · 6 answers · asked by dyke_in_heat 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
JT, clearly the interpretation for Atheism does not exist in the document.
What happened?
That must feel like a load off of the face.
2006-09-20 06:30:48 · update #1
Any document is open for interpretation. In the case of the U.S. Constitution, what matters most is how the U.S. Supreme Court interprets it. As regarding religious liberty, I refer you to the words of Justice Hugo Black from the 1947 decision Everson v. Board of Education:
"The 'establishment of religion' clause of the First Amendment means at least this: Neither a state nor the Federal Government can set up a church. Neither can pass laws which aid one religion, aid all religions, or prefer one religion over another. Neither can force nor influence a person to go to or to remain away from church against his will or force him to profess a belief or disbelief in any religion. No person can be punished for entertaining or professing religious beliefs or disbeliefs, for church attendance or non-attendance. No tax in any amount, large or small, can be levied to support any religious activities or institutions, whatever they may be called, or whatever form they may adopt to teach or practice religion. Neither a state nor the Federal Government can, openly or secretly, participate in the affairs of any religious organizations or groups and vice versa. In the words of Jefferson, the clause against establishment of religion by law was intended to erect 'a wall of separation between Church and State'."
As no person may be compelled to accept any religion, then atheists, agnostics, Humanists, and other nontheists are protected by the First Amendment. And this is in keeping with the intention of the founders, since it is clear from their correspondence that the founders believed one's faith or moral philosophy to be a very personal matter that should be left to each individual's conscience.
2006-09-20 05:53:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The first amendment do not guarantee freedome of religion. It prohibits Congress from passing legislation establishing a religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. There is no need to protect a belief system which includes atheism and agnosticism--not to mention a whole bunch of others. No, it's not relevant.
2006-09-20 06:04:04 · answer #2 · answered by DelK 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Given the fact the 1st Amendment prohibits the government from establishing a religion and the constitution prohibits religious tests for office holders, it's fairly clear the US was founded as an atheist nation.
2006-09-20 05:46:04 · answer #3 · answered by Left the building 7 · 2⤊ 3⤋
I believe that includes even those who don't have any beliefs at all. Besides, that is for religious people to practice their religion as they see fit. Seeing as Atheists and Agnostics do not practice a religion, why would they need to use it? There isn't a law that states you must believe in the supernatural in order for that to apply.
2006-09-20 05:49:14 · answer #4 · answered by NightShade 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Seeing as the fundies own Bible is open to interpretation, why shouldnt the First Amendment be open to interpretation?
What the amendment says is that everyone is free to choose what they wish to beleive. That means I am free to beleive that what you beleive is a load of crap and has no value in this lifetime. And these beleifs are just as protected as yours are.
2006-09-20 05:46:36 · answer #5 · answered by YDoncha_Blowme 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You know I never liked the term non-belief. Maybe Atheists are believers of the truth and religious people are the non-believers. Just a thought.
2006-09-20 05:45:40 · answer #6 · answered by haiku_katie 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋