What I am saying is O`donnell was correct in what she said. Strict interpretation of the 1st amendment says not about separation of church and state. That came latter via a supreme court decision and they used the Jefferson letters to support their decision. This makes me think that the decision of kicking prayer out of the schools violates this clause "or prohibiting the free exercise thereof" of the appendment. O`donnell was vilified by the news media about a statement she made that was correct.


>I think you misunderstand the 1st Amendment as it pertains to religion. It establishes a freedom FROM religion. It explicitly states this country will not be affiliated with any particular religion. None is forbidden but none governs this country. In short, church and state are separated. It's a private matter.
>
>>McDonnell was correct. Here is the wording.
>>
>>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.
>>
>>If you remember your history, immigrants came to this country because England required citizens to join their church. The separation language came from one of the letters written by, if memory serves me correctly, Jefferson.
>>