Views on separation of church and state?

Question

Considering the fact that the phrase "separation of church and state" is found nowhere in the Constitution but in a private letter of Thomas Jefferson's. And if you read the constitutional Amendment is says (to paraphrase) that government shall make no law respecting one religion over another.

So I want to know what the big deal is over whether or not someone prays in school, why there's a fit over 10 Commandments plaques on government property, nativity scenes, the Pledge of Allegiance including the words "one nation under God" and our currency stating "in God we trust".

Nobody is saying you have to do anything with any of the above examples or go to a Christian church. They're just there. To me, only as an example of the heritage of this country. I hesitate to say it 'cuz I know it's gonna tick some of you off, but the legacy of this country has been predominantly Christian.

So why the uproar?

Answer 1

I can guarantee there will always be prayer in school. Every school, anywhere. Anytime there is a test, there are prayers.

For the rest of your points, you have hit the nail on the head. Thank you for pointing out the truth of the matter. However, many of our "Constitutional Rights" have been whittled down, if not completely erased. Without even a whimper, we accepted taxation on wages, even though it is completely contrary to the Constitution. Under Constitutional Law, wages are not classified as :"income". Only passive income was to be taxed. Passive income is the income derived from investment instead of labor. Wages are payment for services rendered, a matter of trade. But, what do we care. We''ve been duped, and follow along like sheep to the shearers (literally).

Answer 2

Most people think school prayer will infringe on the student's freedom of religion. What kind of prayer is prayed when you have Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Wiccans, Agnostics, and Atheists in the same classroom?

It is unreasonable to compromise everyone's values to come up with some bland prayer that will be acceptable to everyone.

The Catholic Church agrees with the U.S. Constitution as currently interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court and does not support "structured" prayer in public schools.

In the Vatican II document, Declaration on Religious Freedom, Dignitatis Humanae (Human Dignity), the Church states:

The human person has a right to religious freedom. This freedom means that all men are to be immune from coercion on the part of individuals or of social groups and of any human power, in such wise that no one is to be forced to act in a manner contrary to his own beliefs, whether privately or publicly, whether alone or in association with others, within due limits.

Children will continue to privately pray before tests just like they always have.

With love in Christ.

Answer 3

well the first thing your doing is telling an outright LIE and twisting the truth.Your Paraphrasing in other words your lying.
the constitution says that Congress shall make not law ESTABLISHING a religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

TH ATS what it says it says nothing about not picking one over the other It says you cant establish GO buy get a copy I bet you don't own one.
I wont get into how you have NO right to raise my child I will tell him about God your not interested in truth your a liar and I don't want LIARS raising my KID
There are others in other countries who share your opinion and don't like the first amendment either Osama Bin laden wants to establish a religion the Taliban did dressed all there ladies in bee suits SO does IRAN\ the only difference between them and you is the religion
You seem to like them GO live with them you have more in common with them I would go on but its pointless as pointless as talking to them because your a bigot WE were Christian the key word is WERE so what do you want to do with the ones here now who arnt christian put them in camps or ask them to leave.
There just is no point your not interested in truth

Answer 4

Oh, this is my favorite topic to debate! My quick answers for why I'm opposed to the examples you sited.....

-Prayer in school: there's no problem with people praying on their own, but manditory prayer time isn't fair because how do you chose which kind of prayer to say? Why not just let the kids that want to pray do so and the rest don't have to be made to feel like outsiders if they don't participate?

-10 Commandments in Gov't Buildings: Why are they necessary? We have laws for a reason, let them speak for themselves. "Thou shalt not kill"...that's homicide and is illegal, so let the laws govern the land and the faith can be kept in appropriate buildings....church, home, etc.

-Nativity Scenes: Don't really mind them, just like I don't mind people displaying the Menorah and other religious symbols, so long as an attempt is made to represent all kinds of beliefs if it's done in a public building.

-The Pledge: First off, "Under God" wasn't even in the original version and second, we're not a nation under a single god, thanks to the 1st Ammendment, we're a nation under many gods and for some people, none at all. That line is just inaccurate no matter what you believe.

-In God We Trust: Same principle. There's a HUGE population of Atheists and polytheists in this country, why should they be held under that banner?

The point is, how can a country founded on a freedom from religious persecution endorse a singular religion as if it were the singular, most popular norm? It's contradictory. Let your faith lead your personal journey through life and let the laws of the land guide this nation.

Answer 5

America was begun as a sanctuary for the Europeans to worship freely. (of course, Native Americans were here, already!)
The ten commandments are the root of all the laws. Separation of church and state for the men who wrote that, did so, to keep the English tradition of having everyone be the same religeous belief......... so, it was wise of the fellow to write it in for us to remember. As far as reality goes, I have always found that families combine church law and laws of the land, together, are more tightly woven families. Even the Bible says to "Obey the laws of the land". When I find a law that seems totally unfair, I work through proper channels to change the law. I insisted on an Act that allowed women who had to quit work to care for severely ill children who needed someone home with them at all times, and also, for elderly parents who live in your home that you care for. In 1987, it became the Boren Act. I was the first to receive the $1,100 in what was considered retroactive pay because I had been denied unemployment and I could prove WHY with documents. Now, people who realize this Act exists can safely care for Grandma and for truly ill children, and get unemployment if the person has a job he/she must quit in order to do it!

Answer 6

The Pledge of Allegiance did not originally include "under God," I believe that was added in the 50s.

If you start integrating the faiths of one religion (but not all) into the public school system or another government institution then you are showing preference to one religion over another, and while that is not a direct violation of the Amendment, it goes against the basic idea that all religions are equal in the eyes of the law and government.

I think people certainly overreact to things such as having "in God we trust" on our currency, but I fully support keeping religious beliefs more or less out of public schools, especially when it amounts to teaching faith over fact.

Answer 7

I am glad there is separation of church and state. Your suggestion is similar to the rebel flag in the south. Yes, it is part of the heritage of that part of the country and the legacy in the south has predominantly been white, but the flag is still offensive to some. While I personally understand that it represents the heritage of that part of the nation, I also understand that it makes a certain group of people uncomfortable. Because it is better for them to feel welcome and accepted, I am okay with not using that flag anymore. Do you understand the point I am trying to make?

Answer 8

Probably because you missed reading comprehension class. The first amendment to the constitution clearly states that the gov't will not endorse one religion over another. Organized prayer in school, christian propaganda in courthouses, mentioning god as if everyone buys your fairy story, that's all out. The gov't is secular. This is NOT a christian nation just because most of the citizens are christian.

Answer 9

Some of the things you mention are silly to get worked up over. NOT all of them, though. The government cannot establish a state religion--and by posting the religious codes of one religion in the state building, by putting symbols of one religion over another on state property, and by forcing Americans to accept a monotheistic point of view every time they "pledge allegiance" to the flag IS establishing (in a covert and rather sneaky manner) a state-preference for a religion.

YES, the majority of the population of the U.S. is Christian. The nation itself is and must be secular.

Answer 10

People are deceived.
The government and the liberal media push the "separation lie.
Muslims are claimed to be "loving" only wanting to have their religion respected.(No respect promoted for christians)
Schools can have Islamic activities.
The TV promotes Yoga,The Yen & Yang,Loving mother Earth,etc.
My point is the promoters of separating The Christian Church from all aspects of public and private life also promote almost anything else.