That's fine and I don't disagree with your conclusions about what happens, and has happened, in the name of religion. God knows I've been trying to get people to understand and believe that we are, in fact, at war with Islam whether we like it or not, because the vast and overwhelming majority of Islamists believe their religion requires them to convert us all, or kill us all, or die trying.

My only opposition to the anti-religionists is their attempting to ban me or anyone else from exercising our religion in any venue we please at point of "law" as was granted and guarantied me by the Constitution of the United States and the blood of our forefathers.

You may disagree or disapprove of how some people pursue their religious beliefs, and you have every right to show your displeasure and even protest their religious actions, BUT NOT WITH THE POWER OF THE LAW.

I thought that the separation of church and state was a fact.
 

I don't know much about this, but it doesn't seem to hold anyone back here...

I think that the separation of church and state is good...although on the surface it doesn't seem to be. When my children went to school and then my grandchildren too, I wouldn't have argued if there was something taught about religion or prayers prayed if it agreed with the religion our family followed. BUT, I wouldn't have liked it at all if the religion taught and the prayers prayed were not what we believed. I would say the same thing about creationism being taught in schools. Who is to stop a lot of different theories of origin taught that are religious. Some of us would agree with them completely and some of us wouldn't. We can choose if our children get sex education. It makes me feel bad that our kids aren't really allowed to be taught values the way we were as kids, but unfortunately not everyone agrees about values.

I like it a lot to see the Christmas lights at our local police station in West Chester. But, I kinda wonder if my Jewish friends feel a little hurt by that.

This is not an easy question and there are no easy answers.

Ok, RichieLion, I think we're getting somewhere here. You said you didn't want any law preventing you from practicing your religion "in any venue (you) please"

Can you expand on that? Where is it that you want to practice your religion where you are not allowed to (or are under threat of proposed/pending legislation that WOULD prevent it)?

It's not really a matter of what I want. It the point of what is and has been prohibited because of the deconstruction of the intent of the first Amendment.

The Bible, and Christian principles in general, are being censored from our public schools and, in fact, from the whole “public square.” Under the guise of adhering to the “separation of church and state doctrine,” judges and other government officials are disallowing Christianity in all venues administered by the United States government. Now, many people believe that the American government was designed to include “a wall of separation” between church and state.

Robert L. Cord, a professor of political science a Northeastern University writes in his book, Separation of Church and State: Historical Fact and Current Fiction,

“Regarding religion, the First Amendment was intended to accomplish three purposes. First, it was intended to prevent the establishment of a national church or religion, or the giving of any religious sect or denomination a preferred status. Second, it was designed to safeguard the right of freedom of conscience in religious beliefs against invasion solely by the national Government. Third, it was so constructed in order to allow the States, unimpeded, to deal with religious establishments and aid to religious institutions as they saw fit."

This appears to be a reasonable understanding of the First Amendment; far more reasonable than asserting that it erected an wall of separation. And it becomes even more reasonable when one considers the words and actions of America's settlers, founders and leaders.

It doesn't seem likely that the founding fathers included the First Amendment in the Constitution to prevent Christianity from influencing state-established institutions; but in fact, America's founding fathers expected our nation to be, on the whole, Christian, and our government to reflect that. This is evident by the fact that the first act of the United States Congress was to authorize the printing of 20,000 Bibles for the Indians.
When you look at our history, you cannot avoid the conclusion that America was founded on Christian principles and with the assumption that her citizenry would adhere to those same principles. When George Washington, under the new Constitution, received the request of both Houses of Congress concerning a national declaration of a public day of Thanksgiving and Prayer, our first President issued a "National Thanksgiving Proclamation" without any apparent concern that he might be mixing government and religion. I think if they were alive today our founding fathers would be considered extreme right wing zealots.

The moral framework of the world pretty much guarantees terrible disaster for the country that grants sovereignty to something other than God, because in such circumstances sovereignty ultimately becomes the property of the state. When the state holds ultimate authority, government officials may commit whatever atrocities they like upon their subjects, because only the state may determine what is right and wrong. America's religious liberty is based on the founding father's declaration that our rights were inalienably bestowed by the Creator. If our freedoms are now instead granted by the state, then the state may take them away at any time. If we no long recognize the Creator in our public discussions, we have surrendered our rights to the power of the state.

I'm getting a little long winded, but I hope I've expanded to your satisfaction. I really am enjoying this DJ.

I can only find one real hole in what you wrote - any other differences I have with your position are minor. But you said:

It is simply not true. What *is* true is that *if* you allow (to take a classic case) a nativity scene on the common, you *have* to allow a menorah or other religiouse symbols. You cannot show preference for one over the other.

Schools *are* allowed to talk about the Bible - *and* other religions.

HOWEVER - gutless and lilly-livered politicians don't want to step into waters where they actually have to THINK or perhaps defend an unpopular position (like if a pagan group wanted a Yule display in a more conservative community) so they take the "no tolerance" approach (which I equate to 'no thinking').

Yes, we were founded by Deists who where *greatly* influenced by Christian (many say judeo-Christian) principals. But they were smart enough to know the dangers of "one sect versus another" and said none could appear to be akin to the Teacher's Pet.

223 years of challenges has meant a lot of analysis and legal hair-splitting has happened over the years. It's easy to see where that can cause a lot of frustration. I mean, having a high-school football team say a prayer before a game doesn't seem like much (and if it's a Catholic high-school, there's no problem with that). But if it's a public school, what happens when the first Jewish kid in on that team and gets beaten up because he doesn't "accept Christ as his Lord and Saviour" (as happened in Texas, if memory serves)?

By the same token, *nobody* should be able to tell you me or anyone else how to worship behind closed doors, on private property or anywhere else that isn't on public land so long as nobody's rights are being violated (i.e. sharia law, the Catholic priest scandal, Bakker's fraud, etc).

And, Richie, I can't tell you how much I appreciate your willingness to expand upon your views. Too often, these days, we're influenced by sound-bite mania. You'd think that with a half-dozen 24/7 news channels, they'd have time for REAL news, not just reporting what was in Paris Hilton's purse during her last arrest or which rehab facility Lindsay Lohan has checked into.

I actually do have a little problem of the politically-correct reasons for the dominant Christian community to have to hide their religion in the public square to protect those that might be offended. If they are merely offended and not harassed, or beaten up as you said, I say it's a small price to pay to live in the freest greatest nation ever given man by God.

If a bunch of players want to get together to say a prayer before a game, in any venue, it should not be looked at as anything but a good thing. The non-Christian could merely stand aside or say his own prayer in his own way if he wishes.

Our money says "In God we trust." and the U.S. Congress starts its daily session with a prayer. The same U.S. Supreme Court that has consistently struck down organized prayer in public schools as unconstitutional opens its public sessions by asking for the blessings of God.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals declared the Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional for including "under God" on June 26th 2002, and then one day later, the Supreme Court rules that tax-supported vouchers can be used to help parents pay tuitions to religious schools.

Is saying "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance "an establishment of religion?" Does prohibiting a teacher or coach from leading their class or team in a voluntary prayer "prohibit the free exercise" of religion? Is there any point of compromise at which religion and government can co-exist?

I believe that anyone who lives in this Christian created and still Christian dominated country where, by law, they are not discriminated against in regard to their own religion or religious practices, should be encouraged and thankful for people who are trying to live a good modern Christian way of life. If everyone behaved as a good Christian, in an ideal sense, the problems of the world would be mostly solved. Of course, this is all idealistic as Christians are still human and therefore very fallible. Of this, based on your posts, I know you are quite aware of.

I'll take your examples for response..

The players before a game? Tough call. It's supposed to be about teamwork but the Jewish kid is left out of that. Until said kid starts getting harassed, though, it's a gray area that might do well to consider another solution (see *)

The money? It says God (common to almost every religion), not "Jesus our Lord and Savior" (much more specific). I don't have a problem with that.

Congress starting with a prayer - is it forced participation? In addition, it's not a law.

The USSC? I think one of the jsutices would have to challenge that as other don't have legal standing.

The Pledge? "Under God" was added in 1954 in reaction to the "godless communist" threat.

Vouchers for religious schools? I'm kinda neutral there so long as religious indoctrination isn't part of the curriculum.

As far as leading in a voluntary prayer, it saddens me that the solution isn't self-evident. I moved to NH in 1974. The school day was started, after the announcements over the PA with a "moment for silent meditation". If you wanted to pray, you could. If you didn't want to, that was fine. Everbody happy.