The ACLU defends ANYONE whose constitutional rights have been violated.
For instance, they are defending the right of the Cornerstone Baptist Church to use public parks for baptisms.
http://www.aclu.org/religion/discrim/16230prs20040603.html
2006-12-02 02:13:05 · 11 answers · asked by Steve 6 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
It would seem that being in public does not detract from ones expression of religion under our constitution .
What many people forget is that the government can not endorse a religion or show any religious ideology.
There for it is not proper to have a picture of Jesus in the court house where man must go when accused of breaking the laws of the land which do not or should not reflect a religion . Making public parks none secular means a religious theme is not present .
This however does not preclude people from weddings , baptism and prayers or services in public parks . Making it Baptist weddings only would and the government has no right to make public lands available for only Baptists .
This is not the case and anyone can use the park in a legal manner .
Since weddings prayers and services are legal in all states then performing those services in a public park is only natural .
2006-12-02 03:05:16 · answer #1 · answered by -----JAFO---- 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
While the ACLU can go way to far left at times for my taste sometimes. Should people be able to get Married in a public park? I would think so, isn't it along the same lines? Don't they have many other things in public parks where you can get a permit to rent the gazebo or volleyball nets or shelter for a picnic?
You know, it does amaze me the ignorance, of some people, I bet we could list 50 things the ACLU has done good for the people who are putting it down, and they would say, DUH, I didn't know that, DUH!!!, While I do not agree with ALLOT of the things the ACLU has done, you need groups like this to counter act the opposite extreme groups that would take away all your rights, Its all called the Checks and Balances Theory which I might add is the corner stone of our Country. Normally you will have the extreme left and the extreme right and they normally meet in the middle, absence of either one of them, throws off the balance
2006-12-02 02:20:19 · answer #2 · answered by Jon J 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In one breath the ACLU defends and in the second breath condemns. I would say they need to quit riding the fence and start taking a stand on issues. They help no one and hurt many. Public is the key point in this question, it is for the good of all not just the few, so if they baptize in the park their tax dollars go into it for the upkeep also. People with issues against others need to consider financial aspects also. Would the few be able to keep the park in the condition it is now or does it take the many?
2006-12-02 02:31:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof
People miss that part so I'll repeat it ...
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof
ACLU is 100% right to defend the right of people to practice their religion. People have a RIGHT to practice their religion in PUBLIC, so long as Congress makes no law respecting an establishment of religion.
2006-12-02 03:09:24 · answer #4 · answered by J 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, I think that they should be doing that within their own church. Its not right that they are trying to impose their religion in such a public way, in a public place. And no, I do not support the ACLU in their defense of this...imho
2006-12-02 02:17:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Why not? If a neoconservate member of the American Nazi Party can stand in a public park shouting racial slurs, glassy-eyed fundamentalist Christians can baptise their kids in the fountains. I would be careful regarding the pigeon poo, though...
2006-12-02 02:16:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes. As much as I don't agree with religion, it is a public park and people are free to come and go as they please. If it was being done at a school, we'd have some issues.
2006-12-02 02:15:48 · answer #7 · answered by fnord_2005 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
THE ACLU WAS TRYING TO FIX A WRONG, AFTER SUING TO BAN ALL CHURCH USAGE OF THE PARKS. THE YEAR BEFORE
2006-12-02 02:17:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
They need to make up their minds about issues. They are rapidly becoming a JOKE to the people they *supposedly * are sticking up for.
2006-12-02 02:18:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Yes!
Thank you very much, while you're up!!
2006-12-02 02:24:03 · answer #10 · answered by producer_vortex 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋