[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."

-- The First Amendment


The right to freedom of religion is so central to American democracy that it was enshrined in the First Amendment to the Constitution along with other fundamental rights such as freedom of speech and freedom of the press.


In order to guarantee an atmosphere of absolute religious liberty, this country's founders also mandated the strict separation of church and state. Largely because of this prohibition against government regulation or endorsement of religion, diverse faiths have flourished and thrived in America since the founding of the republic. Indeed, James Madison, the father of the United States Constitution, once observed that "the [religious] devotion of the people has been manifestly increased by the total separation of the church from the state."

Americans are still among the most religious people in the world. Yet the government plays almost no role in promoting, endorsing or funding religious institutions or religious beliefs. Free from government control -- and without government assistance -- religious values, literature, traditions and holidays permeate the lives of our citizens and, in their diverse ways, form an integral part of our national culture. By maintaining the wall separating church and state, we can guarantee the continued vitality of religion in American life.

[thtr]

Very perceptive and articulate!

[rwfromkansas]

Well said.

But, I disagree that there is a total separation.

Jefferson went to church in Congress 2 days after mentioning the wall between church and state. He also signed at least one bill as President giving federal funds to missionaries, including some intended for the raising of a church.

Now, Madison appears to be much stronger in his separationist views. I don't find such promotion of religion like Jefferson in Madison's actions. However, even he introduced and pushed for (along with Jefferson) a bill to punish Sabbath breakers while a Virginia legislator. In the official debate on the First Amendment, he describes a very narow intent for the First Amendment and what "establishment" means, not the broad way it is currently viewed. However, I do note that his personal view of establishment is much broader in the Detached Memoranda. Madison calls chaplains an establishment of religion there.

However, the official debates in the Congressional records are what take precedence and Madison said the amendment had a limited purpose.

Ultimately, while I think Moore goes too far in saying basically that non-Christians are lesser citizens, he is correct that the current separation between church and state is too far. After all, this view didn't get started in the courts until the early 1900's (bigtime with FDR).

[tet68]

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."



The way I see it is that Judge moore is engaged in the free exercise of his religion.

Neither Congress, nor the state legislature has mandated
that the ten commandments be placed in court houses across the county or Alabama. (make no law respecting an establisment of religion) But they sure have prohibited the
free exercise thereof.

Any way the whole idea that it would be ok if it was in some "private" area of the courthouse is ludicris, how about the basement? If it's ok in the basement then.......