For my Libertarian friends

I love when we manage to trick Pat into defending Beck.

You libertarians here in PA are all very intelligent... That's why it baffles me to see some support for PAlin... Ok, you like what she represents... But do any of you find it in yourself to support this idiot? (disregard the last comedic bit... I post this because of the debate part which is REALLy fun... )

Edited by The T - October 20 2010 at 10:51

The T wrote: You libertarians here in PA are all very intelligent... That's why it baffles me to see some support for PAlin... Ok, you like what she represents... But do any of you find it in yourself to support this idiot? (disregard the last comedic bit... I post this because of the debate part which is REALLy fun... )

A) What does this have to do with Sarah Palin?

B) The phrase "separation of church and state" does not appear in the constitution. The first amendment says:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. "
Which basically means that the Government can't establish an official state religion or tell people how to worship. I think Jimmy Kimmel needs to read the constitution before attacking someone else for not having read it.

I guess this could start another debate: do you believe in separation of church and state? Is it on the constitution? 

The T wrote: I guess this could start another debate: do you believe in separation of church and state? Is it on the constitution?

Edited by Padraic - October 20 2010 at 11:30

The T wrote: I wouldn't like the ten commandments outside any courthouse. It just sends a wrong message. Justice has to be blind. If I ever was a witness in a trial, I'd have to ask not to swear on the bible.  The moment of silence part though is ridiculous. Didn't know that. I didn't even know the practice had a religious origin (I guess that's why is not allowed?)

Yeah, they're afraid that someone might use the moment of silence to pray. Heaven forbid!

Incidentally, it has been a long standing tradition in America to have the ten commandments represented in courthouses. The ACLU filed suit against the practice a couple of years ago, but I am not sure of the result, so I don't know if it is still going on.
Another example is attempts to remove the words "In God We Trust" from U.S. currency. Is this really so offensive?

thellama73 wrote: I love when we manage to trick Pat into defending Beck.

You mean this entire thing was an elaborate ruse to trick me . Damn your dastardly schemes .

The T wrote: I guess this could start another debate: do you believe in separation of church and state? Is it on the constitution?

Yes I believe in it. I don't believe the state can endorse anything. Equality under the law would forbid it doing such a thing

Separation of Church and State is not in the Constitution. The phrase originated in a correspondence that Thomas Jefferson had. The amendment states that the Federal government can have no official religion or make laws restricting the practicing of religion.

For a long time states had official religions and used tax money to fund the Churches. The Constitution applies to the federal government always remember. I don't agree with official state religions obviously as I said above, but if we're talking about what the document says, then that's simply what it says.

 

thellama73 wrote: Another example is attempts to remove the words "In God We Trust" from U.S. currency. Is this really so offensive?