Seperation of Church and State
What was the original intent of seperation church and state and does it conflict with how it is used today?
Also, why have we taken one sentence out of a personal letter and assume its implied in the constitution and the amendments?
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Also, why have we taken one sentence out of a personal letter and assume its implied in the constitution and the amendments? It's not assuming when Abraham Lincoln explains the First Amendment and equates it to a wall that separates the two. That would be Abraham Lincoln "assuming" it's implied in the Constitution. However, I think if it didn't, someone else would have pointed it out. I see the same logic he did and I can easily explain why the First Amendment calls for a separation between church and state. First Amendment to the United States Constitution 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 2
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"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion" translation-you don't have to follow a certain religion. How do I know this is the proper interpretation? the next sentence or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. Do I think Congress should have an established religion? No. Do I think ridiculing members of government making desicions based upon religious background is wrong? Yes. Do I think the Army removing chaplains from the military before they recieved bad press is wrong? Yes. Do I think schools being forced to take the down the ten commandments (which most people follow recognizing it as it or not) is wrong? Yes. Why do I think this? Because it prohibits the free exercise thereof. I think it means exactly what it says; church and state should stay separate affairs. One of the main reasons people moved to "The New World" was to escape religious persecution. Our right to believe in whatever we want to is very important and should not be messed with. That being said, no one should be able to force their religious views on anyone, either. I'll use a much talked about example. Look at the gay marriage debate. I'd be willing to say the most used opposition is based on a religious belief. Those people using their religion as a reason NOT to support it are very much within their rights to do so. It doesn't make them a bad person, or ignorant, or petty. It makes them a strong believer in their faith. But that's the key word. THEIR faith. Not everyone's. when we start forcing the views of some on the views of all through laws, that is when the red line is crossed. Making laws based on a specific religion, in my humble opinion, is wrong. |
