That prevents them from paying out on certain claims.
2007-06-01 19:26:10 · 10 answers · asked by benignmalaprop 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Then why don't they rename it???
2007-06-01 19:32:26 · update #1
good ole' wikipedia
2007-06-01 19:36:00 · update #2
Good question. Your misconception is often applied to various situations where people do not really understand The Constitution. You are not alone, I have seen journalists, professors and others make the same mistake.
First. An insurance company is not a government entity. They could have a clause related to an act of Buddha, Jesus, God, etc.
Second. There is somehow this odd idea that religion or mention of a religious reference, is somehow breaching the separation clause. That clause is related to establishing a state sponsored religion or say the US government decided to allow the Methodist Church to choose two senators or appoint 1 federal judge per state. It sounds so odd you have not even considered those type of things, but they are normal practice in a lot of countries.
Third. The act of God phrase is not even religous, as just a common phrase that is just an easy way to summarize a list of claims they will not pay.
2007-06-01 19:46:12 · answer #1 · answered by Gatsby216 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The separation doesn't apply to insurance companies because they aren't part of government OR church.
Obviously the "act of God" clause is a result of our country being founded on faith. The 1st settlers fled England in order to practice their own faith.
An 'act of God' is an act of nature which is beyond our control.
2007-06-02 02:46:24 · answer #2 · answered by Judith 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Insurance companies are like bookies, they take bets that they will be right. It would not look good, or be very profitable if the posted the odds... 10,000:1. Act of God looks better plus it can be used to get out of paying a claim by detaching any obligation on their part.
2007-06-02 02:38:49 · answer #3 · answered by Robert S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This doesn't have anything to do with Separation of Church and State, if they are private companies that can say whatever they want.
The phrase just refers to acts of nature.
For separation of church and state you could ask.... why does the government print "In God We Trust" on currency, why does the Legislature and Supreme Court employ a chaplain to start the day with prayers, and why is money going to faith based charities not subject to the same review that it would if it went to other charities....
2007-06-02 02:30:34 · answer #4 · answered by Avery 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's a God of Gap clause.
Anything happen out of man control is act of God in insurance industry.
2007-06-02 02:29:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If I refer to my hair color for example, as "God given" as opposed to dyed, that doesn't mean I believe in God. It just means it's natural. Like natural disasters. Just means nature, not literally God.
2007-06-02 02:40:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dunno.
How come yer avatar keeps changing? KEWL!
2007-06-02 02:35:05 · answer #7 · answered by Voodoid 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Their talking about the weather, not a courtroom.
2007-06-02 02:29:52 · answer #8 · answered by Queenie knows it all. 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
"Nature" should replace God, I agree.
2007-06-02 02:38:56 · answer #9 · answered by AuroraDawn 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
...
2007-06-02 02:54:39 · answer #10 · answered by Patrick the Carpathian, CaFO 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋