Separation of Church and State

pattygreen · December 23, 2009

Each year at this time, when we are supposed to reflect on peace and good will toward all men, it seems we are bombarded by anti-Christmas. Most of this is brought on by the erroneous belief that there is a separation of church and state. If one truly reads the Constitution and its amendments, one would find no mention of a separation. In a letter to Baptists in Danbury, CT written years after the enactment of the constitution, Thomas Jefferson wrote in support of a "wall of separation" between church and state. This was and still is a personal opinion that never has been written into law. A past supreme court ruled that there is a separation. However, that law and the entire judicial system are living proof this is an error. A courthouse is a state building and a trial is a state procedure. Why is it that when one is about to give a testamony, he must put his hand on the bible and swear to God he will tell the truth? Our judicial system is living a double standard. Why does our congress open in prayer every day if they don't believe in God, or that he should be included in their federal affairs? Hypocrits.

The Constitution does not take God out of society, and the First Amendment restricts only Congress, denying it the power to establish a National Church. The first amendment did not stop America from being a Christian Nation. Allowing religious groups from placing religious symbols on a town green does not establish any church. Therefore it should be allowed.

Go ahead! Wish me a Merry Christmas! The PC (politically correct) Cops worry that a Christmas Party at school will exclude some or make them feel uncomfortable, so they will have a winter-something-or-other party instead. Well, what about those who hate winter? I know I did? Standing in the freezing snow waiting for the bus, shoveling foot after foot. Why don't they care about these summer loving kids? They say the Constitution doesn't protect citizens from frostbite, but it does call for the often quoted "separation of church and state". As anyone who has read the Constitution can tell you, that famous phrase appears exactly zero times. It stops a theocracy from running the country, it doesn't mean Santa can't be in the building. How long before one can't wear a crucuifix or star of David around his neck because it possibly could offend someone? It seems to me that people were alot better off believeing in God. The more we marginalize our faith, the worse our society will become. PC will be the end of us all. If you think this is an exageration, recall the Fort Hood killings. Nidal Malik Hasan raised red flag after red flag, but nobody in power wanted to act and instead remained PC. I can only assume that the families of those he murdered wish the PC took the day off. Those families would still be intact if they did and probably celebrating something greater than Winter!

pattygreen · December 23, 2009

Merry CHRISTmas to everyone!!!

Cleo's Mom · December 23, 2009

The problem is created when somehow we think that government (public places) SHOULD Celebrate religion and only one particular religion at that. First of all, it is not their place to Celebrate or promote any religion, yet alone a specific one.

That being said, there is a whole secular side of both Christmas and Easter. Those can be celebrated in public places without the religious aspects.

And the religious aspects of these holidays can and should be celebrated in places of worship. They can be beautifully decorated with all the religious music to accompany it. And your homes can be similarly decorated. What I don't understand is why isn't that enough?

I don't need or want my government promoting my or anyone else's religion. I and my places of worship are more than capable of doing that.

Besides why would anyone who believes the government can't get anything right want their hand in religion?

Merry Christmas to all and may you all have health and happiness in the New Year.

pattygreen · January 1, 2010

The problem is created when somehow we think that government (public places) SHOULD Celebrate religion and only one particular religion at that.
Government and public places used to celebrate Christmas and did so since the beginning of the formation of this nation. This is a Christian nation, and therefore it should be the faith that gets predominance here.

First of all, it is not their place to celebrate or promote any religion, yet alone a specific one.

That's your opinion. I believe it is their place, because this nation was formed by Christians and for Christians and our declaration of independence deems God as our Creator. The government should not set up any one Christian church as a National or State church. This I agree with. Putting a Manger scene on the Town Green is NOT setting up a National religion that all should adhere to.

That being said, there is a whole secular side of both Christmas and Easter. Those can be celebrated in public places without the religious aspects.

Christmas is Christmas, whether you celebrate it with a manger scene and a play with sheep, or a santa and a tree, It's still celebrating 'Jesus' birth. That's why it is celebrated in this country. That's why it's a NATIONAL holiday.

And the religious aspects of these holidays can and should be celebrated in places of worship. They can be beautifully decorated with all the religious music to accompany it. And your homes can be similarly decorated. What I don't understand is why isn't that enough?

It's not enough for me and plenty of others who feel that the minority has been outspoken and has taken God out of the public arena. This country has always been predominantly Christian, yet this country has not been forceful in demanding that those who live here be of the same faith. (nor should it) They may live here and worship whomever they choose or noone at all for that matter, but understand that this nation is a Christian one and all of the public displays of the Cristian God go along with it. Why can't those of other faiths be accepting of that? Why do they feel that they must move us on out?

I don't need or want my government promoting my or anyone else's religion. I and my places of worship are more than capable of doing that.

On the Capitol building is a scene with Moses and the 10 commandments. We have the bible in the court room for folks to swear upon and the Supreme court has the 10 commandments engraved on their doors and hanging on the wall above the judge. There are scripture verses etched in stone all over the federal buildings and monuments in Washington. Every session of congress begins with prayer by a paid (with our tax dollars) preacher since 1777. The very first Supreme court justice, John Jay, said,"Americans should select and prefer Christians as their rulers." This is obviously a Christian nation. It was from the beginning and still is. If those who are not Christian want to live in America, that is wonderful, all are welcome here in this land of blessings from the Creator, but they need to accept our Heritage and deal with it. So their religion is not foremost and upfront as the Christian faith. So what. They knew this was a Christian nation when they got here. I say live with it. Why should we have to remove little by little over time all aspects of our Christian faith in God from the public arena for the sake of the non- Christians? Why should God be pushed out of the public places for the sake of those who get to live here and have their religious freedom to worship whom they choose? A VERY high majority of Americans believe in Jesus as their God. They should have predominance over other faiths since this is the American heritage that our founding fathers gave to us. (I'm not saying that the government should set up a National church for all to adhere to. That would be wrong, for everyone everywhere should be able to practice any faith they believe in)

Besides why would anyone who believes the government can't get anything right want their hand in religion?

I don't ever want to see the government set up a national denomination for all to follow. You said it. They can't get anything right.

Merry Christmas to all and may you all have health and happiness in the New Year.