Full Version: What are your opinions on the phrase,
Just that. What are your opinions on the First Amendment and the "separation of church and state".
What do you think that phrase, and what is actually said in the first amendment, actually mean?
Do you think that recent events, such as the Alabama court house episode, have just been going too far?
I myself am a devout Christian. I believe, with plenty of evidence, that the First amendment was meant to protect the church from the government, not the other way around. In other words, I believe that it means exactly what it says--"Congress(government) shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion"--that the government is not allowed to 'favor' one certain church over another, or to have an 'established' (official) church.
This also means, in my opinion, that people aren't allowed to be discriminated against religion-wise. Heard of the recent controversy in France over their ban on religious head-coverings?
An other thing that is commonly mistaken about it. I think that--contrary to what others may think--this does not mean that having a ten commandments display in a public area is 'unconstitutional'. Quite the contrary, actually. Many of the founding fathers used biblical references. Even Thomas Jefferson, the person ACLU and others honor for starting the phrase 'separation of church and state', had many biblical ties. (http://www.contenderministries.org/articles/separationmyth.php)
Anyways, you know what I think. What about you? Come on, this is a debate.
[PM]
QUOTE(First Amendment)
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
What do you think that phrase, and what is actually said in the first amendment, actually mean?
Do you think that recent events, such as the Alabama court house episode, have just been going too far?
I myself am a devout Christian. I believe, with plenty of evidence, that the First amendment was meant to protect the church from the government, not the other way around. In other words, I believe that it means exactly what it says--"Congress(government) shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion"--that the government is not allowed to 'favor' one certain church over another, or to have an 'established' (official) church.
This also means, in my opinion, that people aren't allowed to be discriminated against religion-wise. Heard of the recent controversy in France over their ban on religious head-coverings?
An other thing that is commonly mistaken about it. I think that--contrary to what others may think--this does not mean that having a ten commandments display in a public area is 'unconstitutional'. Quite the contrary, actually. Many of the founding fathers used biblical references. Even Thomas Jefferson, the person ACLU and others honor for starting the phrase 'separation of church and state', had many biblical ties. (http://www.contenderministries.org/articles/separationmyth.php)
Anyways, you know what I think. What about you? Come on, this is a debate.
[PM]
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Topic closed...</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>Reason: Question to debate too vague.<br /><br />Recommended action: If you started this topic, please contact the staff member who closed it by clicking the PM button below this post with a clear question to debate.<br /><br />Helpful links:<br />- Starting New Topics<br />- Survival Guide<br />- The Rules<br />- Staff Directory</td></tr><tr><td class='darkrow1'><div align='center'>Note: This is an automated response.</div></td></tr></table></div>
Topic closed...</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>Reason: Question to debate too vague.<br /><br />Recommended action: If you started this topic, please contact the staff member who closed it by clicking the PM button below this post with a clear question to debate.<br /><br />Helpful links:<br />- Starting New Topics<br />- Survival Guide<br />- The Rules<br />- Staff Directory</td></tr><tr><td class='darkrow1'><div align='center'>Note: This is an automated response.</div></td></tr></table></div>
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