HAVE A POST IDEA?
- chickchat4us
- Click the yellow chick (to the left) or click "view my complete profile" (just below in pink). This will take you to the link so you can contact us. Email your posting ideas & requests & we'll post them on the site!!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Washington State Capitol Controversy
What's your opinion on the Washington State Capitol controversy? (see link above) Should an anti-religion statement be placed next to the nativity scene? Should either display be allowed in a state building?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
There are several potential issues here:
1. If church and state are to be kept separate, neither belong in the building.
2. If we are talking about freedom of speech, the athiest group has a right to voice their opinion.
However, displaying the athiest "credo" right next to the nativity scene is appauling !!
Nothing like a light topic right before the holidays! Good one Judy.
I like the logical thinking of the anonymous post. And I agree -- Church and State are to be separate - so niether the nativity scene or the atheist's statement belongs posted on state property.
What this seems to bring forth, however, is chaos. The article said -- Washington State would consider any suggestions? Really? Any? Do we really want to go down that road and waste tax paper dollars fighting over it too?
I say stick with Anonymous' point #1 - keep'm separated.
It's a sad comment on society - but for the greater good, it might be necessary.
At the risk of sounding like a know-it-all (my apologies in advance!), I post the following: The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment says: "Congress shall make no law restricting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." The "separation of church and state" language came from a letter written by Jefferson in 1802... interestingly, the phrase is not found in the Constitution.
I am no Constitutional Law scholar, but looking strictly at the words of the Constitution, it seems to me that the state cannot establish an official religion, but it also cannot prevent individuals from freely exercising their religion of choice. It is freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion. So, I would think that, in order to remain true to the "free exercise" clause, and to avoid looking like it is "establishing" any one religion, the state should probably allow all forms of religious expression to be displayed, even on state property.
My issue with the atheist statement is not with the statement itself, but with the timing of its display. By displaying it at the same time as the Christian holiday (and Hanukkah), it becomes more of an argument with/put-down of theism than a celebration of atheism. So, they should be allowed to post their signs, but they should have to do it during another time of year... maybe starting on Dec.26th!
Tracy for President!
Anonymous, I accept your nomination! :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZTotLErnhw (Cut and paste if you can't click to link.)
Thought you might like this clip on the Bill O'Reilly show.
Post a Comment