Judeo-Christianity and the Constitution

nationalledger.com ^ | Aug 15, 2006 | Thomas E. Brewton

[truth_seeker]

"Absence of religion is being "lorded" over us, which was never part of any of our FF's goals."

I don't get it, how an absence of religion is being imposed.

I am free to go to one of many churches in my town. I can join, or leave any. Or I can not belong to any.

My child can go to public school, or I can send her to private (church based) school.

I can donate to churches, and take tax deductions.

If my faith opposes abortion, my family is free to follow that belief.

I will grant there are some other situations. If a church opposed capital punishment, the state law would over rule that particular religious belief.

I guess civil law can't make everybody happy, all the time. Particularly when religions differ.

So perhaps in cases where it appears the government is imposing "no religion" it is imposing "neutrality" in view of conflicting claims to moral correctness.

[GoLightly]

I don't get it, how an absence of religion is being imposed.

Begin with religious expressions in the public square.

I am free to go to one of many churches in my town. I can join, or leave any. Or I can not belong to any.

Did the first amendment limit itself to form of worship? The church you go to or don't go to is covered under freedom to assemble.

My child can go to public school, or I can send her to private (church based) school.

The simplest establishment test has to do with financially supporting a religion's institutions via taxation. As soon as the state supports every parent's choice of their children's school, we take a step in the direction of disestablishing secular humanism.

I can donate to churches, and take tax deductions.

Can you deduct religious school tuition? I can deduct for local & state taxes. A big chunk of both go to public schools. IOW, public school "tuition" is deductible.

If my faith opposes abortion, my family is free to follow that belief.

SoK though, cuz your tax dollars support others having them, cuz they don't violate the official state church's teachings.

I will grant there are some other situations. If a church opposed capital punishment, the state law would over rule that particular religious belief.

My state outlawed capital punishment in 1853. That happens to be against my religious beliefs. Jes wanted to point out that it does work both ways.

I guess civil law can't make everybody happy, all the time. Particularly when religions differ.

Laws aren't supposed to make any of us happy. Foolish to think they can or should.

So perhaps in cases where it appears the government is imposing "no religion" it is imposing "neutrality" in view of conflicting claims to moral correctness.

No position is neutral & you prolly realized that. Isn't that the reason you put "neutrality" in quotes? We could go with the old, "first do no harm". De-federalizing most local actions would do less harm.