I just saw a story on the news about how there is a movement to put religious monuments in front of courthouses. They talked to someone who said that "as a christian nation" and I just thought of this topic. Now I was always under the impression that the nation cannot ever have an official religion, separation of church and state etc. Some of the people interviewed even talked about the founding fathers and there comments concerning god were on the monument. Now in my opinion this is completely ridiculous. The founding fathers who wrote the Constitution believed in the separation of church and state and freedom of religion so this seems out of line to me as what these people are trying to say violates this and the Constitution. What is your view on this, and on the separation of church and state?
There is no direct message of "separation of church and state" but it is interpreted as such, it is just like how we have symbolic speech; even though that is not written in the Constitution, it is interpreted from "freedom of speech" and is respected as such.
With that, we have "congress shall make no law respecting that of a religion, or the free exercise thereof....". So if Congress passes such a law to declare an official religion, it would domino several other acts/laws/bills/amendments.
The United States was founded on christian beliefs, which is why we are considered a Christian Nation. And while people believe the founding fathers were very religious, some in fact stated that they questioned gods existence.
Christianity is the face of the United States as well as the most dominant religion within the nation, whether that makes it the "official" religion is hard to say. But truth of the matter is, it doesn't matter. All religions are welcome, to say otherwise is simply arrogance.
First amendment to the Constitution (from the Bill of Rights): Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion
Actually this is the entire first amendment,
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.
Basically, the government can't interfere in any way with a religion or establish a state church.
Also, what religion would want its followers to be forced to join by the state? That would mean almost no one would choose religion because they like it, they would join to gain favor with the government or the religious leaders.
Give me evidence we are a nation founded on "Christianity."
We are a nation influenced by Christianity. Remember the pilgrims and the Quakers? The Mayflower Compact? Escaped from religious tyranny? A good chunk of the colonists were Christians (though apparently the blasphemous kind, noting the English back then), and, even though the nation was not founded on Christianity, the religion was a major influence. Our political system is not based on lobbying, but it doesn't have to be.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof
Congress shall make no law
respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof
"Congress shall make no law" are the key words here. These words strictly mean what they say. Congress shall make no law. "In God We Trust", being printed on our money, is not a law that establishes religion or prohibits free exercise thereof. The Bill Of Rights does not restrict the government from affiliating itself with religion, as long as it does not force others to practice a certain religion or prevent them from practicing a religion.
Whether the government should be allowed to affiliate itself with religion in any way at all is a different matter.
Give me evidence we are a nation founded on "Christianity."
Maybe the government was not founded in and of itself in Christianity but it was strongly influenced by it. Many of the first European settlers were christians and based their laws on the bible.
Our political system is not based on lobbying, but it doesn't have to be.
That is exactly right frank, it was not founded for it but that is what has resulted over time. My meaning is that things have changed over time into something often completely different from the original.
There was about a hundred years in between the de jure ending of slavery and beginning of equal rights in america and the de facto end of discrimination. Certainly the first had a large impact on what happened later.
As everyone has been saying, it would be unconstitutional to make an official religion, plus, if it were (you guessed it) Christianity, i would freaking move to Canada.( personally, i dislike religions that give you a set of rules to live by so you don't "go to hell". this is why i am aiming to become a Buddhist. I like it when a religion supports you in finding yourself.)
Bah. Off Topic.
In the words of me in MAJOR LEAGUE noob mode: **** CHRISTIANS. YOU SCARY!
The movement itself is to put Christian Religious Monuments in front of courthouses all over the nation. Do you think that this should be allowed to happen or not? Personally I say no, especially since the people doing this said that they think the founding fathers were trying to make a christian nation (or something ridiculous like that) But so you guys can make sure I'm not making things up and you can read it yourselves, here is a link to the story Link
I suppose for somewhere so big its not really possible. And to be honest anywhere its very hard. I mean England is officaily a protetsant country but obviously were not all going to be Protestant i know im not.
