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To: hellinahandcart
Not at all. The meaning of "shall not respect" is not the same as "shall disrespect". It merely constructs a neutral, silent position.
347 posted on 08/12/2003 6:35:08 PM PDT by DrMartinVonNostrand
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To: DrMartinVonNostrand
The meaning of "shall not respect" is not the same as "shall disrespect".

That is completely beside the point, since the phrase "shall not respect/disprespect" does not appear in the first amendment.

It is "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion". In this sentence "respecting an establishment of religion" refers to the law, not the Congress. A law can do many things, but it cannot respect in the sense that you meant it. It can only respect as in pertain to, as regards, concern, etc.

Basically, Congress----->no law----->establishment of religion. It's so easy when you stick with the original meaning and not try to make it mean something else two centuries later.

358 posted on 08/12/2003 6:49:05 PM PDT by hellinahandcart
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