I need a good response

[Lil_Lamb_11]

Okay, I posted this question in a very long and drawn out way earlier, now I'm just gonna change this whole thread question.

Whats your opinions on seperation of church and state? Why do you think 'In God we trust' should stay on the dollar bill? Why should the ten commandments be on display and why should 'under God' stay in the pledge of allegience? Or explain if you don't agree with any of this.

 

[Dream]

If the government decides that the "Ten Commandments" are not to be used in or on a government installation and if the US government deterimes that it is against the law for the words 'under God' to be on our money, then some other things should take place. I don't believe the Government and it's employees should participate in the Easter and Christmas celebrations which honor the God that our government is eliminating from many facets of American life. I'd like my mail delivered on Christmas, Good Friday, Thanksgiving & Easter. After all, it's just another day. I think that our government should work on Sundays (initially set aside for worshipping God...) because, after all, our government says that it should be just another day....

To be honest, I think that your mother's e-mail is not really the best way of getting her point across. She thinks of the government more of one person. "The government do not want to post the Ten Commandments, so the government should have to work Sundays."

This thinking is flawed because it's assuming every bureaucrat feels the same way. Laws are only made by a select few in this country; we can't say that because of some high ranking goverment official's view, every government employee feels the same way. This just is not fair.

Also, the US postal system is not government run. If you want mail delivered on Sunday, you'd have to take it up with your post office and not blame the government for it. (just like you can't blame the government for banks being closed on Sunday)

 

[Lil_Lamb_11]

To be honest, I think that your mother's e-mail is not really the best way of getting her point across. She thinks of the government more of one person.

Well my mom didn't write it, it was a forward (as I mentioned in my first post). But I'm sorry, I didn't post the entire email as it was rather lengthy, but I assumed that the points I left out were sort of obvious. Understand, this is regarding the politicians and other government officials and the public who are pressing for such changes. It wasn't supposed to be about the people who are religious or believe that 'In God we trust' is a good thing. Actually, the woman who sent it to my mom works for the government (and I'm sure she wasn't speaking of herself. lol. ) Your whole response was pretty much about that, so I hope I cleared it up. If you have some informations regarding this issue I would appreciate it. Thanks (sorry again for the misunderstanding)

 

[AMDG]

Of course you know that the phrase "separation of church and state" is NOT in the constitution. The Amendment is "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof". Wasn't a STATE still allowed to establish a religion, and, in fact, weren't there back then?

 

[Dream]

Of course you know that the phrase "separation of church and state" is NOT in the constitution. The Amendment is "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof". Wasn't a STATE still allowed to establish a religion, and, in fact, weren't there back then?

Probablly depends on the State Constitution.

 

[Lil_Lamb_11]

Of course you know that the phrase "separation of church and state" is NOT in the constitution. The Amendment is "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof". Wasn't a STATE still allowed to establish a religion, and, in fact, weren't there back then?

really? That would actually be a really good point to add. I didn't realize that is was quoted that way, 'free exercise thereof' gives the impression to me that prayer shouldn't be prohibited in schools. But I suppose there are many different interpretations. I will just have to find a good source for all this. I'm sure there are plenty of articles on the issue. Considering that it has been a large debate in most areas.

Thanks for the input. I think it could swing both ways.

 

[Maggie893]

really? That would actually be a really good point to add. I didn't realize that is was quoted that way, 'free exercise thereof' gives the impression to me that prayer shouldn't be prohibited in schools. But I suppose there are many different interpretations. I will just have to find a good source for all this. I'm sure there are plenty of articles on the issue. Considering that it has been a large debate in most areas.

Thanks for the input. I think it could swing both ways.

I understand what your mother was doing sending that message. The point being that if each action was taken to it's end result it would result in actions that none of the people in government want. The response she received was clearly someone who dislikes authority and wants to be able to do what she wants without conscience.

I think the summation from AMDG is useful for clarifying the object of the "separation of Church and state" issue and I would also ask the responder, where do the boundries begin and end. How do we protect the rights of the "religious" (I am purposely not designating any particular religion) while protecting society as a whole from those without a moral compass? And if those without a moral compass continue to inflict pain on others then how do we establish laws to prohibit their actions without implementing some manner of moral prescription.