I know this is a hot topic but I need yall's opinion on it. Are you for or against it and what are your reasons? I'm doing a debate on this later today and I thought I'd get a survey of the public before hand. Please keep this civil. I'm not trying to start anything, I just want yal''s views on it. Thanks yall.

 

"Separation of Church and State" was not in the Constitution.

The 1st Amendment actually reads:

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.

Nowhere does it mention a separation.

 

Ya got a point there bubba

 

This is how I feel: If the American government sanctions a particular religion, it conveys a message of exclusion to those of different beliefs. How can all men be created equal if our government declares that God favors some, and not others? Yet, "In God We Trust", don't we? It's a fine line the government must walk. Yet, I firmly believe that in order for our government to function as it should, religion must be excluded, as it should be from our public schools. Now, before you accuse me of being a heathen, infidel, pagan, or profane, both of my kids went 12 years to parochial schools in order to learn the tenets or our chosen religion. We chose their religious education. That's the way I think it should be. (steps off box, puts ACLU card back in wallet)

 

Well, judging by some of the shenanigans from the members of the political parties I've seen in the news lately, they're about as far as from endorsing
(or practicing) any religious beliefs as you could possibly get.

 

First I am not the most religious person on this planet. Second I do not doubt that the founding fathers used some of their religious beliefs in creating this country's founding documents. However the question begs to be asked which religious views do you keep seperate? Whose religion do you allow in and whose do you keep out? Whose do you promote and whose do you ignore? America has all kinds of different religions observed and they do not all mesh and believe the same things. Just look at the middle east for what can happen if it goes to far, Taliban comes to mind. Even differing factions of the same religion such as the shiites and sunni's are veiying for political power in Iraq so that they can exert their views politically over the masses. Religious freedom is a great thing and if the government prescribes to one or another it sort of squashes that doesnt it. I assume that most of the people on this board follow one type or another of christian belief system but just think how many sub catagories of christianity there are alone, much less the wide variety of non-christian beliefs that are followed in America today. If you are Catholic your way is right, if you are Morman your way is right, if you are Pentecostal your way is right, if you are Jewish your way is right, if you are budhist etc etc etc.... Whose beliefs are right, is not for the government to decide it is up to the individual.

 

Absolutely FOR it. You need a reason? Look no farther than the middle east where government IS the church.

Besides, in this country, what church should be part of the government?

Yours? Mine? Shovelhead's?

By the way SH, it doesn't have to use the word seperation; by saying the government (Congress) can't make any laws respecting a religion or that prohibit the free exercise thereof, it says Congress stays out of the religion business. And religion stays out of Congress. Soundbite version: seperation of church and state.

By the way, there's also no "Right to Privacy" in the Constitution. That's also implied.

 

Take a read through the Federalist Papers authored by Jefferson and Adams.
It is from these papers we get the term "Seperation of Church and State".

Rich

 

I just ponder if it is COMPLETE seperation, or, partial seperation? I ponder this because of national holidays, not that I disagree with their placement.

Jason

 

I guess like most controversial subjects, it's all in the personal interpretation.

My take on it would be Congress can't pass a law stating that the official US religion is .......{place your choice here}.
After all, that's one of the reasons the people fled their home countries in the first place.

And Congress can't pass a law stating that the worship of the Ford Power?Stroke is illegal....(However misguided it might seem)

This has been a hot subject of debate looooong before internet forums were even a glint in Bill Gates' eye, and I'm sure it won't be resolved this time either.

God, Guns, Auto Transmissions, Synthetic Oils........these subjects and others will always provide forum moderators, Shrinks, and antacid manufacturers Job Security.

 

I agree shovelhead that it's all in your own interpretation. I was just curious as to what some of the views were outside of College Station. Might help me in my debate. I love it. I took a study skills class to learn how to study yet all we're doing is looking up stuff like this and taking job placement quizzes.

 

Gotta agree with Ed on this one.

In my opinion the government shouldn't have any say in religious matters whatsoever. If kids want to pray in school, let them do it. If they don't then don't make them. Same thing with Congress. If Congress were to decide that they wanted to have a prayer before a session then I'd have no problem with that. In fact, I'd be impressed. But, it shouldn't be a mandate.

BUT, separation of church and state, at least to ME, simply means that the government can't tell us what to believe, who to worship or how to do it. And I think that's the way it SHOULD be.

 

I was hoping you would chime in. I'm always curious as to what Hoss has to say about controversial subjects.

 

Rich

 

I agree with Hoss... the government has no right to tell us what to believe.. America was founded on CHRISTIAN principles, that is a fact. America is no longer a Christian nation.