Originally posted by BOFH:
Originally posted by 96RedSE5Sp:
Originally posted by PackRat:
Originally posted by 99MystiqueATX:


What happened to separation of church and state??



It never existed as a law.



No, not unless you count the United States CONSTITUTION (specifically the 1st Amendment)as law - as well as dozens and dozens of judicial opinions (otherwise known as the "common law").



Ok, show me the phrase separation of church and state in the constitution or amendments.

I'll save you the trouble, you cannot.

You may quote the "establishment clause" however, that by no way precludes elected officials, nor those appointed or hired bureaucrats from espousing a religious belief or even making policy based on those beliefs.

There is not constitutional requirement for the seperation of religious thought from government activity, period.

TB


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Wrong, wrong, wrong.

If you would read the Constitution (and the famous case of Marbury v. Madison), you would know that the United States Supreme Court is given the final authority to interpret the Constitution. One of the primary means which the Supreme Court uses in interpreting the Constitution is to refer to the writings of our founding fathers.

According to Thomas Jefferson (you may have heard of him), the clause against establishment of religion by law was intended to "erect a wall of separation between Church and State". If you are interested, check out the 1947 US Supreme Court case of Everson v. Board of Education, 330 U.S. 1.

Depending on the circumstances, the First Amendment generally prohibits ANY govt action which endorses or promotes religion or a religion.