That is only one way a government can endorse a religion and that is one of the more blatant ways of doing it. Separation of church and state is not mentioned anywhere in the COTUS, it is mentioned in ruling after ruling of the SCOTUS. The basis of which is found in the 1st amendment of the COTUS.
I have no idea how you got to that point. The COTUS only specifies what the government cannot do in terms of religion. The COTUS makes no mention of anything people must do.
I am fully aware that religion has invaded government. Everything from inaugurations, opening of Congress to having a clergy member on staff and religion on our currency. I have spoken out against all of it at one point or another.
Barton is either ignorant of history, or lying. Probably both. But, hey, it sounds good, and scores points with the base. So what's a little historical inaccuracy, or editing, amongst those who wish to remain ignorant of facts, and accept ideology as truth?
The U.S. Constitution, and new form of government was based largely on the ideas of The Enlightenment.
Look it up.
Most of the founders were deists, quakers, freemasons, and the like. Most of the big names among the founders disavowed Christian beliefs, clearly and repeatedly. John Jay being the exception.
~17% of the colonial population were church members. Many of them various "sects" of Christianity that would likely, and deservedly, be considered cults by today's evangelical right. Most of the people Who came to the colonies in search of religous freedom were in fact fleeing social and economic persecution by the Church of England. The "church of the people", and the majority.
The other roughly 83% didn't care enough to join a church.
Younare right that it only became an issue in the last 50-60 years... Actually about 90. That is when the evangelicals started their religious revolution, intending to take over U.S. government and society.
Would that be ok if it actually were the Mohammatens, as you fear, or the Sikh, or the Shinto, or the Papists, or Eastern Orthodox, or the Mormons?
It is no more ok for the Christians.
If I get elected mayor of my small berg... And I open council meetings with readings from the Quran, the Kama Sutra, or The Book of Keith, (LIFE... By Keith Richards... Which contains about as much wisdom and useful life lessons as the Bible, in language that can be understood by anyone, and doesn't claim to be something it most clearly is not--the Word of God-- as the Bible does.)
Will that be ok?
