For those who believe in "Separation of Church and State"?

Question

If I wanted to bring my Bible into a school, or Court, or other public building, does the First Amendment give me that Right?
To read it, not to stand around and preach. Do I have to sneak it in? Would reading my Bible in a Courthouse impose upon another's "Freedom of Religion"?

Answer 1

that's exactly what they want you to do, BUT the Constitution believe in FREEDOM OF RELIGION (not from religion), meaning anybody can praise and believe in who or whatever they want. so you can bring your bible, and Habeeb can bring the Koran. its really that simple.

its people who don't know any better who brought on that made up stuff of Separation...LOL

Answer 2

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.

That is the First Amendmant. The important part is that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishmentof religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

That means that yes, you can bring your bible anywhere you want to. BUT THE GOVERNEMENT CANT FORCE ME TO READ IT. Similarly, the governement cant stop you from reading it anywhere you want to. Constitutional rights have nothing to do with what I do to you or you to me. Constitutional rights are guaranteed by the Federal and State governments. They must follow the mandate.

Since the Constitution and the cases clearly state that the government may not aid in the establishment of religion, it would be unconstitutional to choose ANY religion. Allowing ANY religion into schools and public places would help to establish one religion over another. Christians seem to think theirs is the only one that matters. That is not the case. If the government started requiring that all schools teach the principles of Islam, you'd all have a stroke. To many people, forcing people into christianity is the same thing. That's why religious displays on PUBLIC property that are sponsored by the government are prohibited.

You as a private citizen can do whatever you want as long as you are not breaking some other law.

WHY IS THIS SO HARD TO UNDERSTAND?

edit: It doesnt say separation of church and state. It says the state cannot aid in the establishment of religion. Over the years, that has been INTERPRETED as separation of curch and state. And correctly so.

Answer 3

This atheist says:

Yep, you can take your bible inside a courthouse and read it. Silently, to yourself anyway.

Provided you aren't trying to read it when you are supposed to be paying attention to the proceedings as a juror, or officer of the court. In which case you'd be neglecting your civic duty.

The first amendment has nothing to do with what you can or can't read in a courthouse. You could read pretty much anything there with the possible exception of magazines with unambiguously pornographic pictures in them.

Amendment 1: 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.

Nothing about the reading material citizens can peruse during the dull parts of government procedings that don't involve them directly.

The parts that concern religion says there is no official state religion in the US, that trying to establish one is a violation of our charter of government.

The free exersize clause is too vague and has spawned plenty of legal disputes. The current reading is that the government can't outlaw belief, but conduct, for practical reasons, must have some reasonable limitations.

Put simply you can't get away with breaking the laws that apply to everyone else by claiming said violations are part of your religious obligations.* Like, say... behaving in a way thet would get you charged with contempt of court.

Courtrooms are for sorting out legal matters, not for use as soapboxes for the personal opinions of citizens. Other that that religious practice is wide open.

Answer 4

There is a difference between you bringing in your bible to read at lunch or during other free time, or the judge or teacher reading from it in court or in class. There is a misconception that religion is "banned" in school. It's not, at least not in the way you described in your question.

Answer 5

Yes, you can read the Bible in any public building. To a normal person, simply reading the Bible would not be an offensive act.

Answer 6

The constitution does not prevent anyone from bringing any book anywhere. It does not protect people from seeing, hearing or expressing religious or non-religious beliefs. It does not prevent people from praying anywhere at all.

It only prevents the Federal Government from establishing an official State Religion. PERIOD.

Of course, that is not to say the grand wizards it black robes won't read something different into it.


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Answer 7

This is America, not Naziland where people of the same ideologies are left to suffocate. We have seen what religion has done to separate and destroy people, and promotes wars and conflicts. Why risk American lives to the rule of hate, intolerance, separation, and conflicts?

Imagine, even Paris Hilton is learning fast. She knows how to use religion to cover up her dirty habits! For so many, religion today has become a mere and clever shield to disguise sinful desires and behaviors.

Answer 8

Yes you can, because if you weren't allowed to bring and read your bible wherever and whenever you wanted, would that not be imposing on your "freedom of religion"

Answer 9

I'm trying to figure out exactly where in the U.S. Constitution the phrase "separation of church and state" exists. Funny how the left is consistently accuses the right of infringing on the constitutional rights of the people, and in the same stroke they make up things that aren't even in the constitution.

Answer 10

You are entirely free to read your bible in any place you desire, except perhaps a classroom, where the teacher may want you reading something ELSE which pertains to the class matter.