We need a stronger set of regulations and public transparency regarding the separation of church and state.
Ones religious beliefs should be private and should not be included in the affairs of the state. More importantly, religious views should not be the motivating factors behind policy.
Rumsfeld would deliver war briefings to President Bush with a quote from the Bible on the cover. That should never have been allowed.
The freedom of religion is important in this country; but, the freedom FROM religion is important in our government.
Comments (9)
This would require us to recognize that Atheism is also a faith based religion
If you want freedom from religion, America is a free nation and you are free to depart. Otherwise realize that people are human and will bring their beliefs into government.
Even the issue of lying has a religious basis. Do you believe that it is OK to lie?
So now we are getting the "politically correct" Koran shoved down our throats and being touted as a "Muslim nation" by B.O. (the Muslim) as he runs around the world kowtowing to the Arabs.
Truth is, that the Founding Fathers established a Nation wherein ALL religions could be practiced and tolerated, but that does not happen unless those practicing their own faith believe that other faiths are just as valid as their own.
Per history...recent and ancient, the Muslim followers are not tolerant of others, thus the dilemma.
Common misconception, there is nothing in the Constitution or the Amendments about the "Separation of Church and State".
1st Amendment: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; ..."
Which is to say: 1st Amendment prohibits the establishment of a national religion by the Congress or the preference of one religion over another.
T. Jefferson document:
http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=22345
Samuel Chase document:
http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=22348
The mis-construed source of the separation myth:
http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=65
Arthur W. Mielke was my minister ears ago. I knew he was a very intelligent man. His sermons were memorable and educational. He graduated from Yale Divinity School. I remember him speaking of the danger of government destroying religious freedom. There must be separation. The congregation loved this gentle, intelligent man.
How different this is today with X-Prime Minister Blair (just turned Catholic) teaching religion and globalism at Yale? Apparently a coup has happened to the religious school at Yale? They have taken over the agenda of the school as a divinity university to make it a global agenda one mixing religion and government (Fascism)?
Our leaders have allowed these large religious groups power and our tax dollars. They have become "sacred cash cows" demanding tax exemption and government agenda (candidates for public office). They want rule and power on our backs. We left this is old Europe.
The Catholic church is allowed on CSPAN,along with Afro American clergy like Jessie Jackson, etc., but not separation religious groups such as Presbyterians. Why is that?
The Presbyterian church was formed in Scotland as the state church (to negate the Anglican Church rule of England). Separation was important. Our founding fathers wanted that type of religious freedom for themselves here in America. They did not set up a state church but a clause to insure religious freedom.
The documents from Scotland sent to the British for freedom was copied in our Declaration of Independence. As we set up our democracy we demanded freedoms from the British royals. It lead to a revolution resulting in the greatest democracy in the world.
Tartan Day, April 6th is now an official US holiday celebrating the contributions of Scottish ancestry founders, citizens, etc. to our country.
How can we allow our democracy to disappear and churches rule? It is not progress but back to the Dark Ages.
Studies have shown non-religious people in this country are 15-20%. They are not a "faith based" group.
We have a group of citizens who have no representation or acknowledgement in our society.
They are as large as the number of Afro-Americans or Hispanics in this country yet no one "appeals" to them for votes.
I have an idea change 'In God We Trust' to 'Trust Truth, Freedom, Love.' go to debdaveandpets posted ideas to check on it.
I want to see list of all funds to Faith Based organizations...who got what and why. They too are at the kitty.
They wonder why the young aren't going to church? Why go to church when it is run by thugs who hate your democracy? They aren't good examples which the young want to emulate.
If this is as Obama says, a open government which one can get needed government information, then this should be an easy thing. He also stated open government when it is as closed as the Bush administration regarding funding, etc.
When the Atheists met with Obama's WH representative they asked about the military being forced into religious agenda. Why not demand that Faith Based funding be stopped? Are we the tax payers paying for the directors of these grants, departments, etc.? Are they Civil Service or Congress approved?
15-20% of the country are Atheists or Non-Believers. That's as many as the whole Afro American or Hispanic groups. Why are they ignored?
This tax payer wants to know.