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Originally Posted by RichieLion
You have to go through many machinations and pointing to alternate and separate writings to get to your idea of "separation" of church and state and the attendant eradication of all things related to God in the public square that those with your analysis aspire to.
All I have to do is READ the Constitution and it's as plain on the nose my face that there is no "separation" of church and state written into said document or in any amendment to it. All there is, is a sentence stating that the government shall not "establish" a national religion.
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1) You misinterperete me. It's not an "eradication" of "all things God". Time and time again courts have upheld the rights of citizens to put up nativity scenes AS LONG AS, for example, Jewish groups are allowed to put up a menorah, etc. It is showing PREFERENCE for one religion over another that is against the law. Now, you might argue (successfully) that some towns are lilly-livered (or pick your own put-down) and simply put a "no tolerance" policy of religion into effect.
2) Read it:
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Congress shall pass no law respecting an establishment of religion
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Again, it does not say "establishment of A religion". "Establishment" is a NOUN, not a verb and the later writings of the founders repeat that intention.
In the same manner that, in 1783, "a well-regulated milita" meant every able-bodied person in the town (militia) who knew how to use a gun ('well-regulated' being sysnonymous with 'well-trained'). Yes, today, colloquial english and society have changed the meaning of the word "militia" to be equivalent to today's "National Guard" but that wasn't the intent back then (no matter how much gun-control advocates WISH it were that way).