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Politics : Sharks in the Septic Tank -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: TimF who wrote (52723)	7/8/2002 5:49:41 PM
From: Lane3	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 82486

What would be your definition of "establishment of religion"? Put simply, I would consider a religion established when Federal officialdom treats it as the country's religion in the course of official business. When my last employer, a branch of Uncle Sam, held a awards ceremony, there was frequently a flap when the agenda included some Christian choral numbers. The folks who put together the agenda just assume that some gospel numbers are appropriate for the occasion.

To: TimF who wrote (52723)	7/8/2002 6:30:25 PM
From: J. C. Dithers	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 82486

What would be your definition of "establishment of religion"? If you don't mind my answering your question (addressed to Karen)... In the the first place, the original U.S. Constitution mentioned nothing about such establishment. The famous (or infamous) mention came in an Amendment to the Constitution (the First one) That mention is: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; ... Note that the Amendment does NOT say, "Congress shall make no establishment of religion." It says, Congress shall make no LAW respecting the establishment of religion. Shouldn't we think that is an important distinction? If school children recite the words, " ... Under God ..." --- How is that making a LAW respecting religion? And what does it have to do with Congress? If President Bush says, "Thank God Laura and the kids got home safely" .... Are we going to claim that is the equivalent of Congress establishing a law respecting religion ??? This whole matter has gone from the ridiculous to the sublime. Why don't WE start respecting what our Constitution actually SAYS ??? I am not directing this at you personally, Tim. And I guess the question I am answering is more like, "What is NOT the definition of 'establishment of religion?'" And even then, the real and pertinent issue is, "What is NOT making a LAW respecting an establishment of religion?" SHEEEEESH !