Originally posted by: dartworth
There are those who say that the phrase "separation of church and state" does not appear in the Constitution. They are correct. The words "a wall of separation between church and state" are not found in our Constitution. Neither are the words "separation of powers"; "right to travel"; "freedom of association": or "religious liberty" found in our Constitution. This does not mean that those concepts are not embodied in our Constitution. The words "wall of separation between church and state" are the words of Thomas Jefferson.
The First Amendment to the Constitution reads: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion [government neutrality toward religion], or prohibiting the free exercise thereof [religious freedom]." The 14th Amendment extended this requirement beyond the Federal government to all the state governments.
In Reynolds v. United States (1878), 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.'" This was further emphasized in Everson v. Board of Education (1947), as expressed in the opinion for the majority written by Associate Justice Hugo Black. He wrote, "The First Amendment has erected a wall between church and state. That wall must be kept high and impregnable. We could not approve the slightest breach."
In Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971), the Court established a three-prong test to determine if a governmental action is neutral toward religion. First, government institutions or legislation must have a secular purpose; second, the primary effect must be one that neither advances nor inhibits religion; and third, there must not be an excessive government entanglement with religion. This principle was further clarified by Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor in Lynch v. Donnelly (1984). She said, "What is crucial is that a governmental practice not have the effect of communicating a message of government endorsement or disapproval of religion."
The Supreme Court decisions provide an explanation of the rights and responsibilities granted by our Constitution. "Separation of church and state" is a constitutional principle that has been embraced by Supreme Court jurisprudence for more than one hundred years.
Those who insist upon denying the constitutional principle of "separation of church and state" are engaging in revisionist history. "Separation of church and state" is the prerequisite for religious and political liberty.
Originally posted by: BouZouki
In my Library at my school, there is one of those fake Christmas trees near the window where people walk by in the hallway.
It is not however decorated, just a plain tree, I don't know if they plan on decorating it or not..
As I was walking by it one day, I said to my friend, "look, theres the tree I was telling you about, that's wrong, what if I was jewish."
Then some a-hole teacher that was previously walking in the other direction says "What if you were Jewish, we can't have a tree!?"
Originally posted by: BouZouki
Originally posted by: Vegitto
If you plan to sue anyone for this, please end yourself.
I'm not gonna sue anyone, I just think it's wrong.
Originally posted by: moshquerade
Here's what's next:Originally posted by: KillyKillall
What's next? Forcing a student to take a cross off from around their neck because it's "religious?" Come on....
(CNSNews.com) - A Christmas-themed event to raise money at a public elementary school in Warwick, N.Y., has been altered to accommodate a parent's complaints that the program would illegally spotlight a "religious" figure - Santa Claus.Santa Claus Deemed Too 'Religious' for School Fundraiser
"Breakfast With Santa" has since been changed to "Winter Wonderland Breakfast," and -- in an effort to be inclusive of all beliefs -- the bearded one will now be joined at the Dec. 9 event by Frosty the Snowman.
Organizers made the changes after one parent charged that she and others in the community were offended that the Parent Teacher Association at the Sanfordville Elementary School was sponsoring a program geared toward one religion.
That parent, who did not wish to have her name used, wrote a letter to the school board asserting that Santa represents Christmas -- a Christian holiday -- and by law, a public school is not allowed to promote religion.
According to the Warwick Advertiser, the PTA offered to include Hanukkah traditions in the event, but the parent said she felt this still wasn't fair because it included religious activities.
"I look forward to sponsoring an event that is within the law and inclusive of all," the parent wrote in a letter to the school superintendent, Dr. Frank Greenhall. "This is not an argument about religion; it is about the law of our land. Discrimination is simply detestable."
Greenhall then contacted an attorney, who advised him in a letter that the district "should, at a minimum, modify the events to avoid potential litigation."
http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewCulture.asp?...lture/archive/200611/CUL20061130e.html
Originally posted by: BouZouki
In my Library at my school, there is one of those fake Christmas trees near the window where people walk by in the hallway.
It is not however decorated, just a plain tree, I don't know if they plan on decorating it or not..
As I was walking by it one day, I said to my friend, "look, theres the tree I was telling you about, that's wrong, what if I was jewish."
Then some a-hole teacher that was previously walking in the other direction says "What if you were Jewish, we can't have a tree!?"
Originally posted by: PaulNEPats
Originally posted by: BouZouki
Originally posted by: Vegitto
If you plan to sue anyone for this, please end yourself.
I'm not gonna sue anyone, I just think it's wrong.
Punch yourself in the face
Originally posted by: moshquerade
why can't we have any religious symbols in our schools? do you think our forefathers forbade them? we have become so afraid of offending the minority that what the majority thinks doesn't mean crap.Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
The tree is not a Christian symbol. It's a symbol of long dead religions, and is now secular. Moshquerade, he isn't part of the problem- religious symbols have no place in a public school. It's just that a tree is not a religious symbol.
i think the majority has become the new minority.
Originally posted by: mugs
Originally posted by: moshquerade
why can't we have any religious symbols in our schools? do you think our forefathers forbade them? we have become so afraid of offending the minority that what the majority thinks doesn't mean crap.Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
The tree is not a Christian symbol. It's a symbol of long dead religions, and is now secular. Moshquerade, he isn't part of the problem- religious symbols have no place in a public school. It's just that a tree is not a religious symbol.
i think the majority has become the new minority.
Our government was designed to prevent the majority from forcing their will on the minority.
Sure it is. Granted it's a Germanic Pagan religious symbol and not a Christian one...Originally posted by: mugs
a christmas tree is not a religious symbol.
Originally posted by: BouZouki
In my Library at my school, there is one of those fake Christmas trees near the window where people walk by in the hallway.
It is not however decorated, just a plain tree, I don't know if they plan on decorating it or not..
As I was walking by it one day, I said to my friend, "look, theres the tree I was telling you about, that's wrong, what if I was jewish."
Then some a-hole teacher that was previously walking in the other direction says "What if you were Jewish, we can't have a tree!?"
Originally posted by: Quasmo
They're "Holiday" Trees and "Holiday Man"
Originally posted by: Atheus
Originally posted by: mugs
Originally posted by: moshquerade
why can't we have any religious symbols in our schools? do you think our forefathers forbade them? we have become so afraid of offending the minority that what the majority thinks doesn't mean crap.Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
The tree is not a Christian symbol. It's a symbol of long dead religions, and is now secular. Moshquerade, he isn't part of the problem- religious symbols have no place in a public school. It's just that a tree is not a religious symbol.
i think the majority has become the new minority.
Our government was designed to prevent the majority from forcing their will on the minority.
I thought it was designed to unify the states and piss off the British?