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The Ten Commandments, display or not?
BeyondElite
post Mar 2 2005, 04:55 PM
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"The US Supreme Court heard arguments on the constitutionality of displaying in public spaces the Ten Commandments, in a case on the officially mandated separation of church and state in US society." Do you agree that the Ten Commandments should be displayed in public spaces? Why or why not?

In my opinion, the Ten Commandments should be displayed in government property to pay tribute to America's religious and legal history. There are three fouths (3/4) of people here in America that are in the religions of Christianity and Judaism that believes in the Ten Commandments and practices this commandment. "These Commandments have an undeniable religious significance, but they also have secular significance as a source of the law, a code of law and a well-recognized historical symbol of the law." Amendment one of the U.S. Bill of Rights clearly says "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion..." However, freedom of Religion depends of freedom from religion. Even though one does not believe in God's existence, they simply can ignore the first, second, third and fourth commandment and simply follow the rest of the commandments which are to respect elders, to forbid murder, to forbid committing adultery, to forbid stealing, to forbid false witness against neighbor, and forbid coveting your neighbor's house (which is really similar to the laws of the United States.) What do you think?
 
sadolakced acid
post Mar 2 2005, 06:22 PM
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The only religious history the United States has is a lack of one.

Most the founding fathers were deists, who did not belive in the church, only in god.

Some commandments have similarities to the laws of this nation. However; these were already laws in other countries at the time the United States was developed. Therefore, the ten commandments is only thought to have play a part in the development of the country. It has not been proven.

the display of the ten commandments in front of government buildings would be the endorsement of the ten commandments.

the first commandment is "thou shalt have no other gods before me".

This phrase is one of the reasons why the ten commandments violate separation of church and state.


first it implies the existance of a god.
second, it orders the readers to worship this god.

clearly this violates the first ammendment, because the government would be endorsing a document that tells readers to worship a certain god.
 
racoons > you
post Mar 2 2005, 06:34 PM
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^^

indeed.

the inclusion of this ocmmandment promotes the idea that the U.S. is exclusively Christian, rather than mostly Christian... which obviously issant the case

and how the hell do you spell issant? isant? isent? issent? none of them look right to me

*EDIT*

lol isn't. i get it. is---not.

heh mind went totally blank there... good old dyslexia

Fae says: It's "isn't".

This post has been edited by uninspiredfae: Mar 3 2005, 01:41 PM
 
OriskybusinessO
post Mar 2 2005, 06:50 PM
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QUOTE(azn_pnoy_boi @ Mar 2 2005, 1:55 PM)
In my opinion, the Ten Commandments should be displayed in government property to pay tribute to America's religious and legal history.  There are three fouths (3/4) people here in America that are in the religions of Christianity and Judaism that believes in the Ten Commandments and practices this commandment.  What do you think?
*


What do you mean 'legal history'

This would not be 'paying tribute' it would be promoting or endorsing the religions that follow these rules (? i dont know if rules would be the right word) Just because the majortity believes in these commandments, there are poeple in our country that strongly oppose god, reliegion, etc. And it would not be fair to them. I know, lifes not always fair, but this is peoples religions (and 'non-religions') that we are talking about, it is a very serious matter to most people. And it does brake the separation of church and state and the 1st ammendmet of the bill of rights (as said before). So it cant be done, can it? Can they put it there? It would be braking the constitution etc.
 
heyyfrankie
post Mar 2 2005, 07:32 PM
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i think that we should be able to have them in public because i don't see a REAL reason why they shouldn't.

people these days. rolleyes.gif
 
redderstarr
post Mar 2 2005, 07:36 PM
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i'm a christian but i dont think they should. it would cause a lot of controversy and it really isn't fair for people of other religions. why put something up from one religion, and not another thing from another religion?
plus, it's not like the whole country is all christian. i mean... i wouldn't really care since i follow those commandments but, i dont think they should allow it.
wait, now i think they should. argh im confused i dont know what im talking about. it's like that thing about the pledge, and how it includes "under God..."
whatever. please don't read my post.
 
ItzOnlySydney
post Mar 2 2005, 07:37 PM
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QUOTE
the first commandment is "thou shalt have no other gods before me".

This phrase is one of the reasons why the ten commandments violate separation of church and state.



exactly what i was thinking. I DO NOT WANT THEM DISPLAYED!
 
*tweeak*
post Mar 2 2005, 07:42 PM
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QUOTE(ItzOnlySydney @ Mar 2 2005, 7:37 PM)
exactly what i was thinking. I DO NOT WANT THEM DISPLAYED!
*

why should you be that adamently against it, though? can they not also be considered as moral guidelines? neverminding the one God bit. but you dont actually have to read them. while i dont think its necessarily appropriate for them to be placed publicly, no one is forcing you to read them
 
OriskybusinessO
post Mar 2 2005, 07:54 PM
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QUOTE(Frankie @ Mar 2 2005, 4:32 PM)
i think that we should be able to have them in public because i don't see a REAL reason why they shouldn't.

people these days. rolleyes.gif
*


A real reason? people these days? Because its unfair to the other religions in this country, theres a reason. what do you mean 'people these days'?
 
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post Mar 2 2005, 08:57 PM
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QUOTE(sadolakced acid @ Mar 2 2005, 6:22 PM)
The only religious history the United States has is a lack of one. 

Most the founding fathers were deists, who did not belive in the church, only in god.
*


God made the Ten Commandements for us, not the Church.

QUOTE
Some commandments have similarities to the laws of this nation.  However; these were already laws in other countries at the time the United States was developed.  Therefore, the ten commandments is only thought to have play a part in the development of the country.  It has not been proven.

the display of the ten commandments in front of government buildings would be the endorsement of the ten commandments.


And...?

QUOTE
the first commandment is "thou shalt have no other gods before me". 

This phrase is one of the reasons why the ten commandments violate separation of church and state.
first it implies the existance of a god.
second, it orders the readers to worship this god. 

clearly this violates the first ammendment, because the government would be endorsing a document that tells readers to worship a certain god.


What Justice Scalia says:

QUOTE
"It is a symbol that government derives its authority from God, and that's appropriate," said Scalia. He estimated that 90 percent of Americans agree with the message -- even if, as he joked, "85 percent couldn't tell you what the Ten Commandments are."


This is a good point. I heard about a book (i forgot the title), where it argues in favor of display of ten commandments. Recognizing the ten commandments recognizes that God is who grants rights, therefore government cannot take them away. If you don't recognize this, then government is who gives rights, and therefore, they can take them away.

QUOTE
A real reason? people these days? Because its unfair to the other religions in this country, theres a reason. what do you mean 'people these days'?


how is it unfair? those religions didn't play a part in the development of this country, why should their documents be placed in legal centers?
 
sadolakced acid
post Mar 2 2005, 10:57 PM
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QUOTE(tweeak @ Mar 2 2005, 6:42 PM)
why should you be that adamently against it, though? can they not also be considered as moral guidelines? neverminding the one God bit. but you dont actually have to read them. while i dont think its necessarily appropriate for them to be placed publicly, no one is forcing you to read them
*



they are moral guidelines. with religion too, as the first commandment states.


QUOTE(kryogenix @ Mar 2 2005, 7:57 PM)
God made the Ten Commandements for us, not the Church.
And...?

What Justice Scalia says:
This is a good point. I heard about a book (i forgot the title), where it argues in favor of display of ten commandments. Recognizing the ten commandments recognizes that God is who grants rights, therefore government cannot take them away. If you don't recognize this, then government is who gives rights, and therefore, they can take them away.
how is it unfair? those religions didn't play a part in the development of this country, why should their documents be placed in legal centers?
*


god made the ten commandments? or did moses take them out of the sianie mountains? i personally think he had some good ideas for moral laws and carved them himself...



i ask you, who belives that religions played a part in the shaping of the United States of America, where in the consitution, the declaration or independence, or any subsequent document by the fonding fathers stating that the ten commandments directly influenced the founding of the United States of America.

god does not give me freedom. if god were to 'give me freedom' i would have none. it is the constitution that gives me freedom. never in the consitution does it say my freedom is given to me by god.

In fact, it no document by the founding fathers even mention god. they mention a creator. this does not mean god. this means a creator. and that's that.

the United States of America is explicitly, NOT a christian nation. it doesn't matter what the founding fathers were. no document states they intended it to be a christian country.
 
racoons > you
post Mar 3 2005, 11:55 AM
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Frankie, theres a difference between having them in public, say on a t-shirt, and hanging them on governmnet buildings

if the ten commandments are the basis of the laws of the country, then this doesn't negate the fact that they have a specific religious origin, and that by displaying them, you are elevating those who follow them, and belittling those who do not.

it will promote the idea that to be truly american, you have to believe in the Bible or God as a source of guidance, when many people do not.

as sadolekced said, (go vote for him as best debater, by the way), the US is not a christin nation, AND THEREFORE it is extremely inappropriate for the governemtn to specifically endorse one religion in that manner
 
*kryogenix*
post Mar 3 2005, 04:03 PM
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QUOTE(sadolakced acid @ Mar 2 2005, 10:57 PM)
god made the ten commandments?  or did moses take them out of the sianie mountains?  i personally think he had some good ideas for moral laws and carved them himself...
i ask you, who belives that religions played a part in the shaping of the United States of America, where in the consitution, the declaration or independence, or any subsequent document by the fonding fathers stating that the ten commandments directly influenced the founding of the United States of America. 

god does not give me freedom.  if god were to 'give me freedom' i would have none.  it is the constitution that gives me freedom.  never in the consitution does it say my freedom is given to me by god. 

In fact, it no document by the founding fathers even mention god.  they mention a creator.  this does not mean god.  this means a creator.  and that's that.

the United States of America is explicitly, NOT a christian nation.  it doesn't matter what the founding fathers were.  no document states they intended it to be a christian country.
*


No, God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses.

Yes, it does mention a creator, not specifically God, but many interpret God as their creator.

However, in no founding document do we find the seperation of church and state either.

Go figure.

Busy right now, will reply later.
 
highly_evolved
post Mar 3 2005, 05:42 PM
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um no.

it would strike up too much controversy between other religions in the country.
 
sadolakced acid
post Mar 3 2005, 06:38 PM
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QUOTE(kryogenix @ Mar 3 2005, 3:03 PM)
No, God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses.

Yes, it does mention a creator, not specifically God, but many interpret God as their creator.

However, in no founding document do we find the seperation of church and state either.

Go figure.

Busy right now, will reply later.
*

i know 'god gave moses the ten commandments. ' i was just saying what i personally believe...


a creator is a creator. i don't give a d--- about what other people interpret a creator as. to me a creator is a creator- if they ment god then they could have put god in there.

No, but we find freedom of religion. And having the government endorse a documents ordering people to only believe in god is not freedom.

note that i did not refer to separation of church and state- howeverl; that is is found on the state level; virginia stature for the separation of church and state or something like that, from thomas jefferson.

this is FROM jefferson, the major writer of the declaration of independece.

therefore; i have a document saying that the founding fathers (at least one) supported the separation of church and state, and no documents have been presented that say the founding fathers supported only christianity, or that they were inspired by the ten commandments.

anyways: my state is wanting to require all schools to place the ten commandments (along with dec. of ind. , const. magna carta) in thier entryways.

however; that legislation provides no money for schools to do this.

and my school will find they will have a problem keeping the ten commandments spraypaint free...

oh the possiblilities...

"11. thou shalt do what the priest says, little boy."

hahaha... ok sorry. that didn't really contribute to the debate...
 
OriskybusinessO
post Mar 3 2005, 07:30 PM
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QUOTE
how is it unfair? those religions didn't play a part in the development of this country, why should their documents be placed in legal centers?


its not about which religion played a part in the development in this country. Anyway, hoe did christianity or whatever play a part in the development of our contry? Because the founding fathers were christain? And i didnt ask fo the other religions documents to be displayed in public, that too would be unfair.
 
Spirited Away
post Mar 3 2005, 08:12 PM
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QUOTE(kryogenix @ Mar 2 2005, 8:57 PM)
how is it unfair? those religions didn't play a part in the development of this country, why should their documents be placed in legal centers?
*


One of the most important foundations of which this nation was built upon is freedom; this neccessarily includes religious freedom. Though other major religions did not partake in the creation of America, they have become a key ingredient in this country's melting pot, and perhaps, have come to represent the image that America is famed for: diversity.

Diversity is America and America is diversity. One cannot be the same without the other and America cannot hope to uphold the ideals of its Founding Fathers without diversity.

Fairness, in this case, is diversity; it is not choosing one over the others.
 
*tweeak*
post Mar 3 2005, 08:19 PM
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QUOTE(sadolakced acid @ Mar 2 2005, 10:57 PM)
they are moral guidelines.  with religion too, as the first commandment states. 
*

it was a rhetorical question. i meant, they could be shown as a reminder to behave morally as they being shown in a court house oh nevermind, thats a local debate that i got this mixed up with.
 
sadolakced acid
post Mar 3 2005, 10:57 PM
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ah... ok.

but they shouldn't be shown in a court house...

if i ever went to one of those courts i'd appeal it and say the judge was biased becasue i was not christian, and he was.

so even if i was utterly guilty, i could get a retrial.

and; the justic system is suppost to be impartial, and not endorse anything.
 
inthemudhole
post Mar 4 2005, 12:06 AM
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I think that they should be displayed.
I personally don't see how it's wrong or doing damage to anyone or anything.
If you don't appreciate it or if you don't believe in it, then don't look at it. It's as simple as that.

I don't have anything intelligent to say about it, but that is what I think.
When it comes to incidents like this, I just say that if you don't like it, then don't look at it or believe in it. I don't see how it's hurting anyone.
 
highly_evolved
post Mar 4 2005, 06:43 AM
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QUOTE(Despise @ Mar 4 2005, 12:06 AM)
I think that they should be displayed.
I personally don't see how it's wrong or doing damage to anyone or anything.
If you don't appreciate it or if you don't believe in it, then don't look at it. It's as simple as that.

I don't have anything intelligent to say about it, but that is what I think.
When it comes to incidents like this, I just say that if you don't like it, then don't look at it or believe in it. I don't see how it's hurting anyone.

*


its not hurting anyone its the fact that it will make the country seem like a catholic/christian/jewish country and other religions that do not follow the ten commandments are not welcomed. its not as eays as "if you dont like it dont look at it", somebody will find offence to it and strike up something. if the ten comandments are displayed y not buddha? and etc..
 
sadolakced acid
post Mar 4 2005, 05:23 PM
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QUOTE(Despise @ Mar 3 2005, 11:06 PM)
I think that they should be displayed.
I personally don't see how it's wrong or doing damage to anyone or anything.
If you don't appreciate it or if you don't believe in it, then don't look at it. It's as simple as that.

I don't have anything intelligent to say about it, but that is what I think.
When it comes to incidents like this, I just say that if you don't like it, then don't look at it or believe in it. I don't see how it's hurting anyone.

*



it hurts me.

i am one of the "anti-christ"*.
i utterly hate jesus when it is pushed into my face.
having it in front of government buildings is pushing it into my face.

*anti-christ in the sense that i'm not a christian. (i'm friends with christians and all that- unless they try to convert me.)

it's destorying my civil rights, becuase i have the right to have a government that is in NO way biased towards a religion.

and displaying a religous relic is bias towards another religion.

if it doesn't hurt anyone, could i display my ten commandments? i have just as much proof these influenced the founding fathers.


1. thou shalt kill christians
2. thou shalt worship the devil
3. thou shalt covet thy neighbor's wife.
4. thou shalt kidnap her.
5. thou shalt preform sacrafices
6. thou shalt drink blood twice a week
7. thou shalt not lie, but when thou lies, lie well.
8. thou shalt not steal if thou will get caught.
9. thou shalt not be nice to furry animals. they are sacrafices
10. thou shalt not attend any church. ever.

hey, it doens't hurt anyone!

you can just look away.

(note: i don't really belive that. sorry for any offense done- it's to show what i feel about the ten commandments. that's what it's like to me. )
 
*tweeak*
post Mar 4 2005, 05:26 PM
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QUOTE(sadolakced acid @ Mar 3 2005, 10:57 PM)
ah...  ok. 

but they shouldn't be shown in a court house... 

if i ever went to one of those courts i'd appeal it and say the judge was biased becasue i was not christian, and he was. 

so even if i was utterly guilty, i could get a retrial.

and;  the justic system is suppost to be impartial, and not endorse anything.
*

im not saying they should, im providing reasons why it might make sense for them to be. there was some big ordeal recently about a nearby county's courthouse where they refused to take them down, so someone got arrested, or something similar. i dont remember the whole story
 
Teesa
post Mar 4 2005, 11:24 PM
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QUOTE(sadolakced acid @ Mar 4 2005, 5:23 PM)
it hurts me.

i am one of the "anti-christ"*.
i utterly hate jesus when it is pushed into my face. 
having it in front of government buildings is pushing it into my face.

*anti-christ in the sense that i'm not a christian. (i'm friends with christians and all that- unless they try to convert me.) 

it's destorying my civil rights, becuase i have the right to have a government that is in NO way biased towards a religion.

and displaying a religous relic is bias towards another religion. 

if it doesn't hurt anyone, could i display my ten commandments?  i have just as much proof these influenced the founding fathers.
1. thou shalt kill christians
2. thou shalt worship the devil
3. thou shalt covet thy neighbor's wife.
4. thou shalt kidnap her.
5. thou shalt preform sacrafices
6. thou shalt drink blood twice a week
7. thou shalt not lie, but when thou lies, lie well.
8. thou shalt not steal if thou will get caught.
9. thou shalt not be nice to furry animals.  they are sacrafices
10. thou shalt not attend any church. ever.

hey, it doens't hurt anyone!

you can just look away.

(note: i don't really belive that.  sorry for any offense done-  it's to show what i feel about the ten commandments.  that's what it's like to me. )
*

wow, I completely agree with you.
I'm Indian, should I display India's list of commandments as well? If they display ours, then other cultures should be recognized as well. separation of church and state, come on people.
 
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post Mar 5 2005, 03:07 PM
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QUOTE(uninspiredfae @ Mar 3 2005, 8:12 PM)
One of the most important foundations of which this nation was built upon is freedom; this neccessarily includes religious freedom. Though other major religions did not partake in the creation of America, they have become a key ingredient in this country's melting pot, and perhaps, have come to represent the image that America is famed for: diversity.

Diversity is America and America is diversity. One cannot be the same without the other and America cannot hope to uphold the ideals of its Founding Fathers without diversity.

Fairness, in this case, is diversity; it is not choosing one over the others.
*


It's not choosing one over the others, it's recognizing the historical impact of that document on our nation's history.

I fail to see how the presentation of the Ten Commandments hurts diversity or promotes one religion over the other.

QUOTE
its not hurting anyone its the fact that it will make the country seem like a catholic/christian/jewish country and other religions that do not follow the ten commandments are not welcomed. its not as eays as "if you dont like it dont look at it", somebody will find offence to it and strike up something. if the ten comandments are displayed y not buddha? and etc..


Again, the reason why the Ten Commandments were put up is their historical impact. Buddha had nothing to do with the founding of our country.

QUOTE
i don't really belive that. sorry for any offense done- it's to show what i feel about the ten commandments. that's what it's like to me.


I don't see how the display of a historical document makes our government biased.

QUOTE
wow, I completely agree with you.
I'm Indian, should I display India's list of commandments as well? If they display ours, then other cultures should be recognized as well. separation of church and state, come on people.


The same reason why we don't display the laws of Cuba, Thailand or Canada in our courts. It's completely irrelevent.
 
sadolakced acid
post Mar 5 2005, 10:15 PM
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please show me proof that the founding fathers were influenced by the ten commandments.

you can't. because they weren't.

but please, since you insist the ten commandments were influential in the founding of this country, show me the proof .

and here; proof that the US was not a christian nation, was not intended to be a christian nation:

QUOTE
Convinced that religious liberty must, most assuredly, be built into the structural frame of the new [state] government, Jefferson proposed this language [for the new Virginia constitution]: "All persons shall have full and free liberty of religious opinion; nor shall any be compelled to frequent or maintain any religious institution": freedom for religion, but also freedom from religion. (Edwin S. Gaustad, Faith of Our Fathers: Religion and the New Nation, San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1987, p. 38. Jefferson proposed his language in 1776.)


QUOTE
I am for freedom of religion and against all maneuvers to bring about a legal ascendancy of one sect over another. (Thomas Jefferson, letter to Elbridge Gerry, January 26, 1799. From Gorton Carruth and Eugene Ehrlich, eds., The Harper Book of American Quotations, New York: Harper & Row, 1988, p. 499.)


there are more well documented quotes from here:
http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/ed_...quotations.html

Thomas jefferson, the main author of the declaration of independece, did not support christianity, and christianity did not influence him. He campaigned for the separation of church and state, in entirety.

QUOTE
The same reason why we don't display the laws of Cuba, Thailand or Canada in our courts. It's completely irrelevent.


oh, but it is relevant. If we're displaying the laws of christians, why not the laws of the antichrist?

the ten commandments are the laws of christians, muslims, and jews. They are not the laws of any others.




(bleh. i don't know if this will show up as a double post. servers are screwwy right now... i'll delete this if it comes out double. )
 
Spirited Away
post Mar 5 2005, 10:37 PM
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QUOTE(kryogenix @ Mar 5 2005, 3:07 PM)
It's not choosing one over the others, it's recognizing the historical impact of that document on our nation's history.
*


Very well, lets take a religious historical approach. For the sake of relevancy, lets keep out other reasons why people migrate to America.

Why did the religious feel a need to come to America? Was it not for relgious freedom? Was it not to get away from those who would persecute them for practicing their faith different from what the King or the Church decree?

There is no doubt in my mind that religious belief played a major part in the history and founding of America. But why did people come to the Americas to practice religion? Would you agree with me if I say that it was because they have more spiritual freedom?

Christianity was the smaller picture. Religious freedom was, and still is, the bigger picture. Christianity was simply the faith of those who wished for religious freedom in America. They believed in Christianity but they SOUGHT FREEDOM of RELIGIOUS PRACTICE.

So to respond to your comment, the historical impact is not Christianity, it is the finding of religious freedom. Thus, our First Amendment does NOT say that we have freedom to practice Christianity, it says we simply have religious freedom.

QUOTE
I fail to see how the presentation of the Ten Commandments hurts diversity or...


Does the Ten Commandments promote religous freedom and seperation of Church and State to you? If so, tell me how.

QUOTE
promotes one religion over the other


If your school puts up DARE signs, is the school not promoting anti-drugs? If super markets put up ads for $0.35/lb bananas are they not promoting the buying of bananas? If your DPS puts up a "DRUNK DRIVING KILLS" sign, are they not promoting a neg. consequence of drunk driving?

More examples:
If your neighborhood have a "neighborhood watch" sign, is your neigborhood not promoting safety, awareness, and cooperation between neighbors?

Does not "Don't Mess With Texas" not promote the stop to litering?

When the bumper sticker on your car says "Pray for our troops", does that not promote support of our army?

You get the idea.

So now, if our government decides to engrave the Ten Commandments into its facilities they ARE promoting Christianity over other religions.
 
racoons > you
post Mar 7 2005, 03:30 PM
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QUOTE
Again, the reason why the Ten Commandments were put up is their historical impact. Buddha had nothing to do with the founding of our country.

oh... did moses sign the declaration of independence?

im just a simple english boy, so do correct me if he did, but i have to say that im not so sure

QUOTE
I don't see how the display of a historical document makes our government biased.


because this form of document , where it says you shall have no ther god bu tme, or whatever it is exaclty, alienates those who choose not to worship that god, or any god.

i would hardly like to be condemned every time i wlaked past a government establishment, would you?
 
OriskybusinessO
post Mar 11 2005, 07:15 PM
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QUOTE(uninspiredfae @ Mar 5 2005, 7:37 PM)
When the bumper sticker on your car says "Pray for our troops", does that not promote support of our army?
*


That is also promoting beliving in God, but that would be a personal choice right?
 
Spirited Away
post Mar 22 2005, 06:55 PM
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QUOTE(OriskybusinessO @ Mar 11 2005, 7:15 PM)
That is also promoting beliving in God, but that would be a personal choice right?
*


I can pray to Satan, to the Sun god, or my dead ancestors. Yes, it is a personal choice to relate the word "pray" to Christianity.
 
avalon*
post Mar 22 2005, 08:06 PM
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i am a christian, and i support the ten commandments, but i don't think it's necessary to display the ten commandments in public. we don't display statues of buddha in public, or other symbols of religion. they could display it outside a church though; that would definitely be more appropriate.
 
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post Mar 22 2005, 08:52 PM
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Yes, people of the Jewish and Christian faiths aren't the only inhabitants of the country, however, if these moral guidelines were the foundation of the legal decisions made by our forefathers, then why not honor them in such a way?

On the contrary, doing so would be unfair to those that oppose Christianity. Here the options, offend someone by taking away their rights, or offend someone by not giving their religion top priority.
 
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post Mar 22 2005, 11:57 PM
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QUOTE(BrandonSaunders @ Mar 22 2005, 8:52 PM)
Yes, people of the Jewish and Christian faiths aren't the only inhabitants of the country, however, if these moral guidelines were the foundation of the legal decisions made by our forefathers, then why not honor them in such a way?

On the contrary, doing so would be unfair to those that oppose Christianity. Here the options, offend someone by taking away their rights, or offend someone by not giving their religion top priority.
*



Mr. Acid said "please show me proof that the founding fathers were influenced by the ten commandments. you can't. because they weren't"

And I said "Christianity was the smaller picture. Religious freedom was, and still is, the bigger picture. Christianity was simply the faith of those who wished for religious freedom in America. They believed in Christianity but they SOUGHT FREEDOM of RELIGIOUS PRACTICE.

So to respond to your comment, the historical impact is not Christianity, it is the finding of religious freedom. Thus, our First Amendment does NOT say that we have freedom to practice Christianity, it says we simply have religious freedom."



So, it offends Christianity to not have their Ten Commandments put up there... what about how I, and other believers feel? Why does it matter more that Christians are offended?

You can't please everyone, but you don't have to pick favorites either.
 
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post Mar 23 2005, 12:54 AM
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QUOTE(uninspiredfae @ Mar 22 2005, 10:57 PM)
Mr. Acid said "please show me proof that the founding fathers were influenced by the ten commandments. you can't. because they weren't"

And I said "Christianity was the smaller picture. Religious freedom was, and still is, the bigger picture. Christianity was simply the faith of those who wished for religious freedom in America. They believed in Christianity but they SOUGHT FREEDOM of RELIGIOUS PRACTICE.

So to respond to your comment, the historical impact is not Christianity, it is the finding of religious freedom. Thus, our First Amendment does NOT say that we have freedom to practice Christianity, it says we simply have religious freedom."
So, it offends Christianity to not have their Ten Commandments put up there... what about how I, and other believers feel? Why does it matter more that Christians are offended?

You can't please everyone, but you don't have to pick favorites either.
*


You can't please everyone, thats the point I was getting at. Someone is going to feel as though their "rights" have been trampled on whether the commandments are displayed or not. You're offended by the commandments being posted, and most Christians are offended by them not.

I, honestly, don't care either way. Putting moral guidelines on the side of a historic building won't fix the bad in our society.
 
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post Mar 23 2005, 01:06 AM
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QUOTE(BrandonSaunders @ Mar 23 2005, 12:54 AM)
You can't please everyone, thats the point I was getting at. Someone is going to feel as though their "rights" have been trampled on whether the commandments are displayed or not. You're offended by the commandments being posted, and most Christians are offended by them not.
*


Once again, you can't please everyone, but you DO NOT have to pick favorites either. Picking favorites in this case makes the situation worse.

What reason would justify a Christian being offended by not having the Ten Commandments posted? I would like to know.
 
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post Mar 23 2005, 01:37 AM
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Just because one Christian is offended, doesn't mean all of us are.

Ask someone who is bothered by it.
 
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post Mar 23 2005, 02:06 AM
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Thus I asked for a reason that can justify a Christian's offense, make that any Christian. You said Christians would be offended and I thought you could tell me why.
 
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post Mar 23 2005, 12:47 PM
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^^

he cant, because it was a ludicrous thing to say. why on earth would anyone be offended because a government which proclaims itself secular chooses not to display the creed pf a particular religious faith?

no onewith an ounc eof logic would be
 
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post Mar 23 2005, 02:57 PM
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QUOTE(MarchHare2UrAlice @ Mar 23 2005, 12:47 PM)
^^

he cant, because it was a ludicrous thing to say. why on earth would anyone be offended because a government which proclaims itself secular chooses not to display the creed pf a particular religious faith?

no onewith an ounc eof logic would be
*


Thank you. I just really wanted at least one person to admit the truth of this whole charade.
 
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post Mar 23 2005, 04:41 PM
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god james you cannot type.
 
dahalfkoreanstyl
post Mar 23 2005, 07:33 PM
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if i had it my way, the commandments would be displayed in government institutions, but this is america so obviously people are going to get pissed so it's not a possibility, but you can't stop from having it displayed in private places
 
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post Mar 24 2005, 01:00 AM
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QUOTE(dahalfkoreanstyl @ Mar 23 2005, 7:33 PM)
if i had it my way, the commandments would be displayed in government institutions, but this is america so obviously people are going to get pissed so it's not a possibility, but you can't stop from having it displayed in private places
*



If I had it my way, religion would be completely seperated from the state (j.k, only trying to prove a point). However, this is America so obviously the religious mass is going to get pissed off so it's not a possibility.
 
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post Mar 24 2005, 08:48 AM
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god james you cannot type.


no... i cant

lol.

ive come to terms with it... now you have to too wink.gif
 

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