American Constitution, Was it twisted? Options

[murderous_though...]

The American Constitution, ratified in the 1780s, is a set of laws that make sure the people have certain rights and protections. The first ammendment, part of which includes the freedom of religion has been twisted into a supression of religion. It says that the government will not establish any specific religion, meaning nationally. It also encompasses the fact that the government will not punish someone because of their religion, but certain people have twisted it into now we cant even speak about religion in schools or government buildings...do you think this is right? or should we be able to talk about God (whoever yours may be) and Christmas instead of X-mas?

[*disco infiltrator*]

How would you feel that instead of posting the Ten Commandments, we posted passages from the Torah? Or maybe, atheist reasonings outside government facilities?

And, as a matter of fact, our country was not founded by Christians. They went away from England to get away from religious persectuion. They were Deists, meaning they believed in a higher power, but not Christians.

[krispy_kreme333]

How would you feel that instead of posting the Ten Commandments, we posted passages from the Torah? Or maybe, atheist reasonings outside government facilities?

And, as a matter of fact, our country was not founded by Christians. They went away from England to get away from religious persectuion. They were Deists, meaning they believed in a higher power, but not Christians.

True, they were Deists, but that higher power that you are talking aobut was God, they didn't believe in the same things as modern Chrsitians do, but they still believed in God, just not the same way. They still based everything on the bible. Where do you think our government got some of our laws from? They got them from the 10 Commandments. Therefore, our country or laws are based on the bible.

[Spirited Away]

True, they were Deists, but that higher power that you are talking aobut was God, they didn't believe in the same things as modern Chrsitians do, but they still believed in God, just not the same way. They still based everything on the bible. Where do you think our government got some of our laws from? They got them from the 10 Commandments. Therefore, our country or laws are based on the bible.

No. Wrong. This is what I posted in the Ten Commandments thread. Basically, they based everything on the hope for religious freedom. Have fun.

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

edit> Late to realize debate was already over.

This post has been edited by Spirited Away: Oct 28 2005, 07:38 PM