Has anyone actually read the First Amendment? Why are the Libs and the ACLU taking away our rights?

Question

The text of the 1st amendment are as follows:


Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.



So why is it that we can no longer pray in school, before games, display the ten commandments, sing Christmas songs, display the nativity scene, or anything else remotely related to Christianity without the ACLU and most Libs declaring us "unconstitutional?"

Aren't laws PROHIBITING our religious practices unconstitutional? It seems so to me, that is exactly what the 1st Amendment is supposed to be protecting us against!

By the way, our government was FOUNDED on Christian principles and there are many times in the constitution that "our" Lord is mentioned. Also, let's not forget all of our money.

I'm not saying we need to force people to pray, give me a break, just don't make us hide our religion while we are anywhere that is remotely "government sanctioned." I don't understand why Christians irritate atheists so much. If we're so stupid, let us be, how is that offensive to you?

And, can someone please point me to the part of the constitution that says we have to have "separation of Church and State?" Guess what, IT IS NOT IN THERE!!!! It was in a LETTER written by Thomas Jefferson to a Church that wanted to force people to worship. Now, maybe YOU PEOPLE NEED TO READ YOUR HISTORY. Geez.

Answer 1

There is an invented term called separation of church and state. This is the liberal interpretation of the government shall not establish a national religion.

This fallacy is used to ban prayer in school. Never mind that the First Amendment states the government cannot ban the free exercise thereof.

The Christmas thing is to overt way to ban Christianity and its values. Remember, liberals are against standards of behavior. Christianity imposes clear guidelines for right and wrong. The two go together like oil and water.

You have another tenant that liberals have which is not being offended. Since they live in emotion and feelings, no one can have their feelings hurt. After all, if one child that does not celebrate Christmas, they cannot be excluded.

This is an overt smash at liberalism. I have asked this question in another form: where in the First Amendment is the separation of church and state. I actually had liberals state it was not there, but it should be honored anyway. They made the point for me and had no clue.

Answer 2

Your insinuation that those who take a different approach to constutional interpretation which differs from your literal and conservative approach haven't read the Constitution is ridiculous.

Isn't it possible, indeed probable, that the constitution was drafted with the ability to grow and be adapted over time?

Congress cannot make a law respecting an establishment of religion - thus the government cannot do anything that in effect advances or endorses a particular religion. Why can't these activities be kept where they belong, within each person, at their places of worship, and in your homes? Why do you need a religious symbol at the courthouse? Why should my tax dollars go to fund a nativity scene in front of town hall?

The 1st Amendment allows people to worship any way they would like (including not worshiping at all) without interference from others - it works both ways, your worship should not interfere with me.

Answer 3

prayering before games, in school, and at other activities is normally a mandatory thing, thus it is unconstitutional. I know religious kids who pray and/or practice their religion (what they eat, what they do it class, muslim girls wearing head scarfs,ect) without bothering others. but if a school had a set prayer time or event where prayer had to be said it would force other kids to pray.
the ten commandments in my opnion don't need to be shown. no other religion has their laws posted. and the commandments aren't followed by anyone. if people like having them they can have thme at home, not in public. now if it was equal repersentation- it would be a different case.
I havn't heard anything about chrsitmas songs. I can't comment without all the facts

nativity scenes shouldn't be on public property unless there is equal repersentation.
this isn't hypocrasy either. chrsitans were made when a zoo put up a hindu (elephant) god's statue up. they demanded noah's ark be displayed. but when others want euqla repersentation of their beliefs chrsitans get mad.

I don't think these laws prohib religous practice. they jsut say, keep it at home or keep it equal. nothing wrong with that.

Answer 4

Seperation of Church and State:
Things operated by the government can't be related to religion.
The "Ten Commandments" thing comes from a case where a judge had the plaques with all the commandments written outside his PUBLIC courthouse on PUBLIC property.
The Christmas song and before games thing is just a myth. It's mostly because public schools don't want to offend the minorities.
Also:
Before you go LOLOLOL ACLU hates JESUS!!!!
The ACLU does not mind individual prayer among students, however when non-religious students are forced into something their religion doesn't abide by or public tax money is being used to support religious activites that is when they begin suing people.

Answer 5

You can do pretty much all those things. A kid can pray at school if they want to. You can walk around singing Christmas songs to your hearts content. You could put up a huge ten commandments display and nativity scene in your yard. None of those practices are prohibited to regular citizens, they are prohibited when they have the appearance of being government sanctioned.

Answer 6

The phrase "separation of Church and State" does not HAVE to appear in the Constitution for the principle to exist therein.

It is IMPOSSIBLE for both the establishment and religious freedom parts to both be protected without a separation of Church and State.

There are several concepts protected by the Constitution without being expressed in literal terms. "Presumption of Innocence" is another phrase that doesn't appear, but due process is impossible without it.

Answer 7

Read further into the Constitution and you'll see seperation of church and state. I don't want your religious BS shoved down my throat.Pray before your game or put your kids in a religious school and go to their games, display your 'commandments in your own yard and keep it off the walls of buildings my tax dollars paid for.Your just the arrogant people I truly dislike.

Answer 8

It prob doesn't help that the religion you have been indoctrinated into is a load of nonsense.

The founding fathers would be sick at the state of modern america and i'm quite sure would happily see their document burn. It clearly outlived its use.

Laws should be made to make teaching ANY religion to children mental torture, or child abuse.

Answer 9

Actually the first amendment was written to protect your right to practing ANY religion. Or your right to not practice religion. Why should an atheist or a Buddhist be forced to pray every day to a God that they do not believe in?

And no, I'm not an atheist. I just believe we should have freedom of choice.

Answer 10

I've talked about this many times here on Yahoo!. I don't agree with you 100%, but I'm pretty darn close. See, ....

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=An4mKAYs_9bMw1u4yr3qOtnsy6IX?qid=20060901161101AAaUOMJ&show=7#profile-info-1bc26a2d5df1544b52a5cd724ce679a4aa

And more recently, ....

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=An4mKAYs_9bMw1u4yr3qOtnsy6IX?qid=20070105155842AA2Ce4p&show=7#profile-info-AA11307708
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