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.
This is the first amendment of th constitution. I'd like your thoughts on weather or not displaying the ten commandments or a picture of Jesus, Moses, a cross etc. is a violation of it. Do you think displaying a crescent moon, star of David, Buddah etc is a violation? Why do Christian symbols seem more offensive? Our laws are based apon Christian teaching (ten commandments), so why can't we display them?
2007-07-04 01:17:42 · 7 answers · asked by Ken 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Our laws are NOT based upon christian teaching. That's why the founders said "congress shall make now law respecting the establishment of religion..."
What that means is that the state shall NOT support any one religion. That's why people came here. Because state sponsored religions or morally repugnant, and deny one the right to practice THEIR religion. Christians have a difficult time understanding this. You can practice whatever religion you want as much as you want anywhere you want to. HOWEVER you cannot utiize state funds or facilities to promote your religion. Why is this so difficult to grasp.
I'll put it into perspective. Rasta Farians believe that marijuana is a sacrament. How would you feel if within a state building the state allowed a painting of a giant bud to hang on the wall? It's a religion just as much as christianity is a religion...or many forms of a religion. How about the Star of David? Perhaps some Hindi or Muslim references? Heck, Satanic worship is a religion. And WICCA?
Do you understand where I'm going? Your perception of your religion is that it is THE religion. The US Constitution was written by people who refused to allow that kind of conclusion. Display of ANY religious information is violative of the Constitution. The only problem here is that christians have been allowed to run rampant over the Constitution since Bush became president, and feel they have some entitlement that the rest of us do not have. And that my friend, is what makes the displays UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
EDIT: Again, misinterpretation. "or prohibiting the exercise thereof" does NOT mean that the state must sponsor it. NOBODY says you dont have the right to exercise your religion. As a matter of fact, it is encouraged. You do not have the right to utilize state facilities to do so. Now if the cops came into your home and took your bible, THAT would be covered under the clause you quoted. Not allowing state sponsored religions is a completely different thing.
EDIT 2: Removal of religous artifacts from private residences happen in communities where the association is a quasi governmental body. I completely disagree with that action for the same reason I disagree with god in state facilities. However, if these homeowner's associations are deemed to be governmental agencies, then the proscription applies.
I dont need to review my history.
Again, why is this so hard to understand?
2007-07-04 01:34:18 · answer #1 · answered by Toodeemo 7 · 2⤊ 3⤋
The way it reads to me is that the State will not interfere with or make any laws favouring one religion over another. This has nothing to do with displays of religious imagery, however, if the imagery is to be displayed in a place owned or operated by the State, I feel that would be a violation of the letter of the law, in that it could be seen to favour one religion over another. In other words, if you display a Christian crucifix, for example, then you would have to also display symbols from other religions, in order not to show favour. This could get ridiculous, because every tiny cult or sect could demand to display their own symbols. In fact, to be scrupulous about following the letter of the law, not only would you have to allow them to display their symbols, you would actually have to seek them out to ensure that they're not being discriminated against by not having their symbols present. Makes much more sense to just say "no" to everyone.
2007-07-04 08:31:33 · answer #2 · answered by xanjo 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
...or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...
And yet, that's exactly what is happening. Certain rights of certain groups of people continue to be eroded to make way for political correctness.
You are mistaken Toodeemo. Read your history and read the biography's of the great men who wrote the constitution. Our laws are indeed based on Christianity. That's not to say that Christians think as you suppose they do. Additionally, you can NOT practice whatever religion you want as much as you want anywhere you want to.
In the past several years, I have personally witnessed the state demanding that certain religious displays be removed from private property because it offended a neighbor. I assure you, the religious freedoms of all groups are slowly being eroded. Christianity is only one of many that will one day have no choice but to go underground. Christians and Jews especially, have been and continue to be persecuted.
2007-07-04 08:36:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
It depends on the context of the display.
2007-07-04 09:42:04 · answer #4 · answered by gunplumber_462 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From only the facts presented in your post the displaying of ANY such religious artifact is not illegal.
now, if you want to ask another relevant question, the answer may change.
2007-07-04 08:51:43 · answer #5 · answered by hexeliebe 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Due to fear of lawsuits from the ACLU, many of our rights of religion as Christians have been lost. The Constitution just states that we cannot have a state sponsored religion. Read up on the ACLJ, they are fighting the ACLU and winning many fights.
2007-07-04 08:36:19 · answer #6 · answered by meathead 5 · 0⤊ 5⤋
because the ACLU is hellbent on destroying the christian faith
2007-07-04 08:23:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 4⤋