Governor of Alabama wants to be your brother...by blurring the line

[sirkickyass]

The establishment part does not mean that everyone is guaranteed to be free from any particular religion, it means that the state shall not officially sponsor a religion and require people to be members of said religion. That is the definition of establish. It does not mean that no religion of any kind will ever be in evidence in public places. Is allowing a cross on a public road to commemorate a fallen policeman an "establishment of religion"? Some say yes, others say no. By the wording of the amendment then no, since it is not an officially announced establishment of a religion as the state religion of the United States.

But, of course, therein lies the debate.

Immediately there are lines though. What if they allow crosses by the roads but not stars of david or crescents? What if they mandate prayer in schools but don't allow Muslim students to cease their learning at appointed times to face Mecca? At what point does it constitute "establishment" of a particular sponsored viewpoint?

Best to avoid the debate entirely.

For the record, present Supreme Court rules on this are pretty mixed. They seem to be in favor of keeping previously established government religious sites but prevent the creation of new ones. A moratorium if you will.

I remember I got yelled at in fourth grade when I asked my music teacher (in Utah) why the class was told to sing "Away in a Manger" during the holidays. In retrospect I was being a nine-year-old smartass, but there's no way that would fly some 18 years later.

 

[Scat]

When our Founding Fathers passed the First Amendment, they sought to protect churches from government interference. They never intended to construct a wall of hostility between government and the concept of religious belief itself.

~ Ronald Reagan

 

[sirkickyass]

~ Ronald Reagan

I love this game.

Every country and every people has a stake in the Afghan resistance, for the freedom fighters of Afghanistan are defending principles of independence and freedom that form the basis of global security and stability.

I am not worried about the deficit. It is big enough to take care of itself.

-Reagan

 

[LogGrad98]

Immediately there are lines though. What if they allow crosses by the roads but not stars of david or crescents? What if they mandate prayer in schools but don't allow Muslim students to cease their learning at appointed times to face Mecca? At what point does it constitute "establishment" of a particular sponsored viewpoint?

Best to avoid the debate entirely.

For the record, present Supreme Court rules on this are pretty mixed. They seem to be in favor of keeping previously established government religious sites but prevent the creation of new ones. A moratorium if you will.

I remember I got yelled at in fourth grade when I asked my music teacher (in Utah) why the class was told to sing "Away in a Manger" during the holidays. In retrospect I was being a nine-year-old smartass, but there's no way that would fly some 18 years later.

Actually the lines are assumptions and what-ifs. What if they allow one and not the other. What if they MANDATE prayer in school. Obviously anything mandated or discriminatory is over the line. However, so far the loudest outcries have revolved around ANY show of any religion at any time in public view (hyperbole I know but still).

 

[VINYLONE]

**** that guy from Alabama and **** Bush Sr. Oh, also **** theocratic garbage.

 

[VINYLONE]

Let it go, kicky. You've lost. I've gained about 50 rep points from this thread, all in which are mocking you.

Wow. You are absolutely the weirdest person I have encountered on the internet.

 

[Archie Moses]

Wow. You are absolutely the weirdest person I have encountered on the internet.

+8.

You think I'm weird online, you should meet me in real life.

 

[Scat]

I love this game.

Your quote has absolutely nothing to do with the first ammendment. Try again but please stay on topic.