Question:
The constitution does not say anywhere
that separation of church and state is a law. In addition, since
the First Amendment states that "congress" shall not make laws regarding
establishment of religion, then the prohibition does not apply to the states.
Reply:
You are wrong
on both points. As to your
first point: the US Supreme Court
has reaffirmed several times the separation as law. For example, in the
1947 case of Everson v. Board of Education of Ewing, the Supreme
Court stated, "In the words of Jefferson, the clause against establishment
of religion by law was intended to erect a wall of separation between church
and state" That clearly made such separation a constitutional
requirement. On your
second point: The Fourteenth Amendment,
ratified in 1868, prohibits states from passing any laws contrary to the
Bill of Rights, which includes the First Amendment's requirement of church-state
separation.
Question:
Prayer is common in many settings,
including Congress and the Senate. President Bush encourages prayer in
many situations. So what is wrong with keeping this tradition?
Reply:
Just because
some of our government officials have blatantly disregarded their oath
to uphold the Constitution, and because it may be accepted in other settings,
does not mean its right or legal. Politicians are easily coerced
by their colleagues. Intimidation works wonders. Sure, there are many setting
where it is proper. Non-government settings in which everyone has
voluntarily attended. Prayer in government functions is wrong and
constitutionally illegal. Look at it this way... just because slavery
was practiced for 100 years, did that make it right? Just because
discrimination based on skin color was practiced for 100 years did that
make it right? Just because women were denied the right to vote for
150 years, did that make it right? I'm sure some would have claimed
that it was "political correctness carried to extremes" to ask for
a women's right to vote!
Question:
I have never heard of anyone complaining
at Town Meetings about this before. Don't the majority of us have the right
to pray before the town meeting? Don't you believe in majority rule?
Reply:
We are aware
of at least 5 TM members who are opposed to the opening prayer. The fact
that they have kept silent about it is an indication of the degree of intimidation
generated by Mr Sullivan's actions.
Yes.... we
believe in majority rule, but religion holds a special place in this country.
We have majority rule in deciding political issues, not religious
issues, and not under the authority of the government. This is exactly
what the constitution was designed to prohibit. NO... the majority
does NOT have the right to force their religious beliefs or rituals on
any minority even a minority of one. That's what America is all about.
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