Originally posted by 96RedSE5Sp:
Wow, is there anyone here is has less understanding of the separation of powers and how our judiciary works? Not only is the Supreme Court empowered to interpret our constitution, on scores of occasions, they have struck down laws and state actions as being in violation of our constitution. Our US SUpreme Court has on numerous occassions, struck down laws and state actions as unconstitutionally violating the separation of church and state.



Interpretation is different than rewriting and chipping away at an understood cornerstone of American philosophy and doctrine that has been a part of it since it's founding. There are a number of Christian principles that serve as a basis for the framework that the Constitution was formed under. Care to deny that?

Originally posted by 96RedSE5Sp:
The very first amendment of the constitution states:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"

"You can't understand a phrase such as "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion" by syllogistic reasoning. Words take their meaning from social as well as textual contexts, which is why "a page of history is worth a volume of logic." New York Trust Co. v. Eisner, 256 U.S. 345 (1923) (Holmes, J.)...



Since when does the pledge (which is NOT mandated that every schoolchild recite) and/or phrase "In God We Trust" represent a LAW that respects or SPECIFICALLY endorses Christianity? Tell me the legal penalty in the US legal code for NOT respecting these so-called laws...

How does either of these prohibit the free excercise of ANY religion, or NO religion?

In any case, here's a dictionary definition to play with:

God
a. A being conceived as the perfect, omnipotent, omniscient originator and ruler of the universe, the principal object of faith and worship in monotheistic religions.
b. The force, effect, or a manifestation or aspect of this being.
c. A being of supernatural powers or attributes, believed in and worshiped by a people, especially a male deity thought to control some part of nature or reality.
d. An image of a supernatural being; an idol.
e. One that is worshiped, idealized, or followed: Money was their god.
f. A very handsome man.
g. A powerful ruler or despot.

Where in that definition or ANY use of it in the pledge or on currency would SPECIFICALLY tie itself solely and utterly to Christianity?

I find it difficult to justify a liberal interpretation of this, or relating the spirit of this Amendment to a phrase on currency or a pledge that isn't mandated by law to recite in schools.

I certainly don't see any state-mandated religion being established or forced on the public through a phrase or pledge which capture the spirit and foundation of the majority of this countries beliefs.

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