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?

[Spirited Away]

since when can we not speak about religion in school and govt buildings? i'm confused.

[*disco infiltrator*]

Who's twisted in in such a way and when has that ever been law?....

What are you talking about?

[sovietski]

I know teachers can't say God..or speak about things pertaining to God. There have been places where people have been verbally attacked and even arrested for speaking about there faith. This happened in Philadelphia.

I do think its been twisted. Americans have changed, and so hasn't America, the beginning of the 1900's and the beginning of the 2000's are landmarks, the first of when America really found itself, and the last where America changed to something completly different than it is.

When you mention Christ people look at you funny, when you mention Buddah people are all like "whoa whats that"...shallow.

[simx]

There have been numerous supreme court cases where there was a mention of "god" and someone got "offended"... like in some place in the south (I dont' remember the exact place) there was a statue of the ten comandments or something like that in front of the courthouse and they claimed it was unconstitutional... some teachers aren't allowed to wear a cross on a necklace while they're at school... people want to take the word god out of the pledge of allegiance.... yea, things like that.

I think these kinds of things are unnecessary... you can't satisfy everyone. It's understandable if a group of people feel offended by something, then there might be a possibility to change things.. but if it's only one or two people who feel offended then why change it?

The ACLU is supposed to "protect our rights"... people's rights are violated everyday, they can't try to fix everything.

[*disco infiltrator*]

Putting the ten commandments outside of a governmental building is definitely out of line, no question......


And um. It's not only one or two people offended by that. Pretty much anyone who isn't Christian, and obviously that's more people than you think.

[WindSorcerous]

All I know is that we claim we have a separation of church and state, but it is obvious that we don't... religion should never go into politics/government...

[Mulder]

well, no. even at private catholic schools, students can abstain from mass.

so..we do uphold some sense of separation of church and state. unfortunately, they are not being enforced. whatever the president's religion is, that takes precedent in every legal matter.

damn you christianity! (im kidding. i dont mean to offend)

[murderous_though...]

I didn't mean as a law, but in certain parts of the country people can get in trouble and all that stuff you see in the news...Twisted meaning how people interpret the meaning of it, like separation of church and state. It wasnt meant originally for no mention at all, but some people wanted it to be and now theres a huge deal about it. Obviously it was an exaggeration saying we CANT EVEN talk about it, but I was stressing it to make a point.

[*tweeak*]

I know teachers can't say God..or speak about things pertaining to God.  There have been places where people have been verbally attacked and even arrested for speaking about there faith.  This happened in Philadelphia.

I do think its been twisted.  Americans have changed, and so hasn't America, the beginning of the 1900's and the beginning of the 2000's are landmarks, the first of when America really found itself, and the last where America changed to something completly different than it is.

When you mention Christ people look at you funny, when you mention Buddah people are all like "whoa whats that"...shallow.

Uh, since when? God comes up all the time in my classes, and my teachers will even oft mention their faith. However, it's not like they're forcing it on us. To not allow God or religion to be mentioned would be a good deal more of a constitutional violation than talking about Him. Honestly, how do you intend to have a history class? Like it or not, religion has shaped our history. Even in language arts it's hard to avoid, since literature contains things

That's a complete run-on sentence

I don't think that's shallow, just ignorant. Which is why God should be allowed to be mentioned in schools- I completely believe that religions should betaught objectively in school. They have been to me.

[sikdragon]

Putting the ten commandments outside of a governmental building is definitely out of line, no question......
And um. It's not only one or two people offended by that. Pretty much anyone who isn't Christian, and obviously that's more people than you think.

How are non-christians offended?

[*disco infiltrator*]

Because then it seems as if they are living in a Christian country where they must be Christian. This is not a Christian country. This is a country with freedom of religion. If the Ten Commandments is posted all over government buildings, does it not make it seem like Christianity is the only way for Americans? That's how it comes off to me.

[yummy_delight]

I think the mention of "God" in schools really depends on the school. It's alright to mention your personal faith as long as you're not forcing it upon anyone. The frenzy to silence talk of religion in schools is just an extreme and unnecessary precautionary measure to ensure that nobody gets offended. No school wants a lawsuit on their hands.

On the subject of the Ten Commandments on government buildings, it is a clear violation of the separation of church and state.

If the Ten Commandments is posted all over government buildings, does it not make it seem like Christianity is the only way for Americans?

That's exactly what it seems like. Even though no one is telling people to be Christian, it looks like Christianity is being endorsed by the government. If the 10 Commandments can be posted, why can't parts of the Koran(sp?) or the Torah(sp)?

[Spirited Away]

we already have a ten commandments thread and some of the points were covered, if anyone cared to read.

[*digital.fragrance*]

How about this... evolution in schools. The government demands that that is taught as the origin of life. Yet, teachers can't talk about God or any other god as a possible reason.

[*disco infiltrator*]

Evolution is a scientific theory and doesn't have any part in religion, nor is it connected to any religious belief. Therefore, you learn it in science class, because it is science.

[krispy_kreme333]

On the subject of the Ten Commandments on government buildings, it is a clear violation of the separation of church and state.

How is it a violation of seperation of church and state? It was origionally meant to keep the government out of making a country-wide religion and forcing it on everyone, not to take "under God" out of the pledge of alligeance, or taking the 10 Commandments out of courthouses. To be completely honest, our country was formed on Christianity. I'm not saying that everyone has to be a Christian, just that our country was origially based on it, and so it shouldn't be wrong to have the Commandments in a courthouse. We (followers of jesus) respect the fact that not everyone will have the same beliefs as us, so in turn, people should respect us for believing what we do.

[*mipadi*]

We (christians) respect the fact that not everyone will have the same beliefs as us, so in turn, people should respect us for believing what we do.

Is that why Christians are so well-known for supporting gay marriage and the teaching of evolution?

That's not to say I advocate the limiting of rights of expression for any group, but I think it's a pretty big stretch to say that Christians are regularly persecuted for their beliefs, while they are very open towards the beliefs of other individuals and groups.

[krispy_kreme333]

Is that why Christians are so well-known for supporting gay marriage and the teaching of evolution?

Where are you getting that??

Let me rephrase. Not Christians, becasue that name is so abused and twisted. Believers is the correct name. Followers could work too.

[*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.

[*swtcherriipie*]

I never really cared... im like cathiest... lol my moms catholic and im athiest so.. CATHIEST..

[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.

[*mipadi*]

No one's telling Christians they don't have a right to belief what they want. The issue is that, in a secular state, it creates a conflict when it appears that the government is advocating one religion over others.

The US may have been founded by men who espoused Christian ideals, but they certainly advocated religious freedom and, more importantly, religious tolerance, over Christianity. Christians are more than welcome to worship however they wish; however, there is no need to do it in a public space such as a courthouse. That only serves to make non-Christians feel like second-class citizens, which is not what the Founding Fathers would have wanted at all.

[krispy_kreme333]

Putting the 10 Commandments outside a courthouse is not in any way public worship. It is showing respect to the beliefs that our country was formed on.

[*mipadi*]

Putting the 10 Commandments outside a courthouse is not in any way public worship. It is showing respect to the beliefs that our country was formed on.

But it can certainly appear to non-Christians that the government is advocating a particular religion, which is disrespecting the beliefs of our Founding Fathers as well.

I ask: why is it so important that the Ten Commandments be placed in a courthouse? Christians have plenty of places to worship, in public and in private. They are hardly a persecuted group of people in America. Is there a need for Christian symbols to be everywhere?