<<--- the Establishment Clause forbids the Federal Government from engaging in any question of religion in the states.
If the Federal Courts get involved, it is a violation of the I Amendment. But if the XIV Amendment allows the Court to violate the I Amendment by getting involved, then the I Amendment no longer stands, and by what basis do you use the Establishment Clause?
Either way the Establishment Clause cannot be applied to a state or locality.
Article VI clearly says that: "-- This Constitution, ---- shall be the supreme Law of the Land; ---- any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any state to the Contrary notwithstanding. --"
Thus, if a States law "respects an establishment of religion", -- or contradicts any other provision of the constitution, -- it can be found unconstitutional under Article VI.
The fact that Congress is expressly forbidden in the 1st from "respecting an establishment of religion" does not allow State or local government [legislative] officials to violate their own oaths to "-- support this Constitution --" by writing laws "respecting an establishment of religion". ----- Just as they can't write valid laws infringing on our right to keep and bear arms.
This same principle applies to all levels of gov't in the USA. -- None of them can write infringements on our supreme Law of the Land.>>
And each state has a state Supreme Court to determine whether a violation has been committed. The law of this land, as you put it, forbids the Federal Government from iterfering in these matters, so if you have respect for the laws of this land, you will oppose said interferrence.
Thus, if a States law "respects an establishment of religion", -- or contradicts any other provision of the constitution, -- it can be found unconstitutional under Article VI.
The fact that Congress is expressly forbidden in the 1st from "respecting an establishment of religion" does not allow State or local government [legislative] officials to violate their own oaths to "-- support this Constitution --" by writing laws "respecting an establishment of religion". ----- Just as they can't write valid laws infringing on our right to keep and bear arms.
This same principle applies to all levels of gov't in the USA. -- None of them can write infringements on our supreme Law of the Land.
the Establishment Clause forbids the Federal Government from engaging in any question of religion in the states. If the Federal Courts get involved, it is a violation of the I Amendment. But if the XIV Amendment allows the Court to violate the I Amendment by getting involved, then the I Amendment no longer stands, and by what basis do you use the Establishment Clause?
Either way the Establishment Clause cannot be applied to a state or locality.
"-- Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion; --" is exactly what the clause says, no more.
-- States also 'shall make no laws' that violate the clauses in the 1st, -- as they apply to the State legislatures via the Supremacy clause and 10th Amendment.
And each state has a state Supreme Court to determine whether a violation has been committed.
State Supreme Courts have no jurisdiction to decide whether the US Constitution has been violated. The USSC makes such decisions as per Article III.
The law of this land, as you put it, forbids the Federal Government from iterfering in these matters, so if you have respect for the laws of this land, you will oppose said interferrence.
I do respect our Constitution. -- Congress has made no law respecting an establishment of religion, -- and neither should States.