Mark;

If you look at the historical perspective of what brought about the separation of church and state you will note a condition very unlike today. At the time of the founding of our nation and for some years thereafter state laws indicated that the religious liberties enjoyed by the individual or a group of individuals were not seen as immutable rights, but as privileges granted by the legislature - as "favors granted."

The First Admendment of the Constitution was approved in 1791 and addresses Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression.

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.

The First Admendment resolved the issue of state laws reguolation religious beliefs and practices. As our nation “matured” the courts have ruled on many indicents brought before it concerning the First Admandment. Over time the intent of the Admendment has been reintrupretated by those who sit as judges, to mean something very different.

One of the rationalizations I have heard during my lifetime about why the court changes the intent and meaning of a law is that, “This is what our founding fathers wanted”! I would suggest that the court is not intrested in what the founding fathers wanted. It seems mote likely that the court is using todays values to define a”perfect world”! Never fear – the next court will overrule whatever decision is made today.

Tom



>Tom,
>can i ask where is the seperation of church and state that is often talked about. god is mentioned on money, in the courts, classroom (in the pledge), and these are only the places i have experienced, i am sure that there are more.
>Slán
>~M
>
>>>If they keep on pushing to remove God from Schools, from the courts, from Governement, then I fear they are going to get what they ask for.
>>>
>>
>>Amen!
>>
>>>>Why? What next? Please do not tell me!
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1125767