For now, I'm not a fan of the First Amendment when it comes to the Separation of Church and State. In short, I think that it throws out the good and the bad of religion. I'd like to see proposals from any system, religion or secular, being able to become law just as long as it is good. I may not be seeing all of the reasons behind the Separation of Church and State so I'll offer this up for discussion, but first here's some good information about it:
All quoted material above comes from the FreedomForum.org
It's the highlighted parts that i really don't like. Someone being able to make laws based on ANY secular system, but then any religious-based law is not allowed. Seems like it goes too far.
For Discussion:
What is your view on the Separation of Church and State? Are there any conditions under which religious-based laws would be good?
The words "separation of church and state" do not appear in the U.S. Constitution, but the concept is enshrined in the very first freedom guaranteed by the First Amendment:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."
Known as the establishment clause, the opening lines of the First Amendment prohibit the government from creating an official religion or favoring one religion (or nonreligion) over another.
The separation of church and state enables all Americans to practice their deeply held beliefs in private and in public.
Today, the establishment clause prohibits all levels of government from either advancing or inhibiting religion.
The idea of separation of church and state ensures the government cannot exercise undue influence over Americans' spiritual and religious lives. From ending school-mandated prayer to banning the government from coercing Americans to participate in religious activities, the wall of separation has been an essential tool in building a freer democracy. And this uniquely American approach has resulted in one of the most religiously diverse nations in history.
The idea of separation of church and state ensures the government cannot exercise undue influence over Americans' spiritual and religious lives. From ending school-mandated prayer to banning the government from coercing Americans to participate in religious activities, the wall of separation has been an essential tool in building a freer democracy. And this uniquely American approach has resulted in one of the most religiously diverse nations in history.
Critically, the establishment clause separates church from state but not religion from politics or public life. People are free to bring their religious convictions into the public square precisely because the government must treat all faiths equally.
This includes politicians who are free to express their religious beliefs —
but not to sponsor legislation based solely on religious convictions.
The establishment clause protects the majority from undue influence from the government and encourages lesser-known religious traditions to petition the government for equal rights.
All quoted material above comes from the FreedomForum.org
It's the highlighted parts that i really don't like. Someone being able to make laws based on ANY secular system, but then any religious-based law is not allowed. Seems like it goes too far.
For Discussion:
What is your view on the Separation of Church and State? Are there any conditions under which religious-based laws would be good?