Originally posted by TourDeForce:
Separation of church & state, as it was intended by the founding fathers, was to prevent establishment of a "state religion". They did not want a theocracy that would deny rights or access to people of other faiths. After all, escaping religious persecution was one of the reasons for coming to the New World.

The display of various religious symbols, observance of religious customs, rights, & rituals was NOT intended to be prohibited - even in the halls of the governmental buildings themselves. The traditional prayor at the beginning of legislative sessions is testement to this. I recall a religious symbol or two on some of our early currency.

Freedom of religion - not freedom from religion. If you don't believe, don't pray, but do not trample on my right to free speech.


  I'm sure I've commented before on this forum about how bizarre it is that the concept of ??separation of church and state? has been used to twist the First Amendment into a requirement that certain religious expressions be censored; which runs very much opposite of the entire point and purpose of the First Amendment which is to protect the right to these and other expressions.

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