To: lugsoul
He didn't say it would be a challenge for the Court. He said it would be a challenge for future generations. And if you don't think it will be, just consider the implications of differences between Supreme Court rulings on copyright law and the way the rest of the world views copyrights. Do you think intellectual property recognizes national boundaries? Once you toss original intent as the SCOTUS did long ago (and I can cite numerous cases that produced phantom rights out of thin air and perverted the Free Exercise Clause), then the door is open to ANY rationale for interpretation, isn't it? One relativized and subjected to ideological preferences, then ANY ideological precedent can be introduced, even an international one. The Everson case in 1947 introduced the cockamamey "Wall of separation" doctrine (TOTALLY BOGUS HISTORICALLY), and look at what has happened since - ruling after ruling restricting prayer and posting of the 10 commandments. I have no doubt that eventually the SCOTUS will see to it that Christians are ARRESTED for preaching the gospel! (unless they are stopped now).
To: exmarine
Now you are just veering off into hyperbole. Christians will be arrested for preaching? Okay - I understand your concern and want to give it a chance, so - please cite to a single decision by SCOTUS - ever - which has upheld state action (not Congressional law, as you have argued the 1st Amendment must be read, but state action) infringing on the free exercise of religion by any citizen of the United States. My only caveat is that I am sure you will cite cases where the GOVERNMENT was restricted from taking some action or another, based on the Establishment Clause, and we have already disagreed at length over whether the Government has religious beliefs or a Constitutional right to have a faith preference. But, outside of cases restricting the GOVERNMENT from expressing a faith preference, I challenge you to post a SCOTUS case finding that any citizen cannot freely exercise the religion of their choice. (Here's a hint: the only ones you are likely to find relate to Native American animist religions which *GASP* use illegal drugs in their religious rituals.)
529 posted on
07/08/2003 12:03:14 PM PDT by
lugsoul
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