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2001 Soap Box Archives Separation of Church and State There is a lot being said these days about the separation of church and state. People tend to think that the constitution has this provision to keep the church from exerting influence over the affairs of government. I wonder how many people know what the constitution actually says about separation of church and state. Well let me enlighten you. “Congress shall pass 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.” Let’s break it down. Congress shall pass no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. In other words, the government cannot tell us how, when or where to worship. Or abridging the freedom of speech, or the press. How can the government tell schools that they cannot have a prayer before a ball game or any other time as long as it’s student initiated? How can they ban Bibles or any other book for that matter? Isn’t the written word a form of freedom of speech? The media can say anything it wants and no politician would dare try to limit what they say, but the rights of individuals to speak their minds is guaranteed just as strongly as the rights of the press. Or the right of the people peaceably to assemble. The state cannot deny the rights of any group whatever their beliefs to get together and discuss, criticize or anything else they want to do. And to petition the government for the redress of grievances. We have a right to go to Washington and walk the halls of congress and let our legislators know what we think about what they’re doing or try to persuade them to take a favorable stand on some issue which interests us. Does it say anywhere that religious groups should not be included in petitioning the government? Why then does Norman Lear and the people for the American Way get apoplexy when the Christian Coalition or some other religious group lets their wishes be known to congress? Isn't this not specifically guaranteed by the constitution? Does it say that the name of God should be stricken from every official document and every public place, as the A.C.L.U. wants to do? Can somebody tell me where that is in the constitution? It’s not in my copy. What do you think? God
Bless America
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