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To: The_Eaglet
I disagree as it prohibits Congress making laws to fund establishments of religion

You reveal for the nth time that you are unfamiliar with what the Founders meant by the term "establishment" of religion.

Consult the Federalist.

An "establishment" of religion is a scenario in which a specific religion - like the Episcopal Church was in pre-War Of Independence Virginia - is the official religion of the state (known as "The Established Church") and it is supported by direct taxation to the detriment of all other religions.

Creating a common fund which all religions and non-religious interest groups can draw on for charitable purposes is not establishing any specific religion.

215 posted on 05/02/2007 1:04:37 PM PDT by wideawake
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To: wideawake
I did consult The Federalist. In the context of religion, "establishment" indeed refers to pre-existing institutions as well as institutions yet to be created.

Creating a common fund which all religions and non-religious interest groups can draw on for charitable purposes is not establishing any specific religion.

No, but it is a law respecting an establishment of religion. By the way, funds confiscated from taxpayers' income are inherently non-charitable as they are coerced.

216 posted on 05/02/2007 1:17:22 PM PDT by The_Eaglet
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