11 September 2006

Please Don't Justify Your Legislation Based on God

In the Newsweek issue dated September 11, 2006, Steven Waldman wrote a brief about Katherine Harris' comments about the separation of church and state being "a lie." Waldman properly notes that the Constitution of the United States of America makes absolutely no mention of the "separation of church and state", whatsoever. Wikipedia details that this phrase can be traced to a letter Thomas Jefferson wrote to a group called the Danbury Baptists
in which he stated:

"I contemplate with sovereign reverence that
act of the whole American people which
declared that their legislature should make
no law respecting an establishment of
religion
, or prohibiting the free exercise
thereof, thus building a wall of separation
between Church and State."
Jeesh, such words of legalese!. Could it be more simply stated?:

 I continually review with great respect that
act of the whole American people which
declared that their legislature should not
make a law having reference to any one
religion
, nor [a law] preventing the freedom
to follow any given religion,
thus building a definite distinction
between Church and State.
His words are in reference to the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, which states:

"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."
Additionally, the word "of" may be used to mean "belonging to" (e.g. member of this community) or it could be used to mean "not in possession" (e.g.: free of flaws). Perhaps it was purposefully used in the constitution to represent both (say, kill two birds with one stone?) and therefore more clearly states:

Congress shall not make a law having reference to any one religious or non-religious belief, nor a law preventing the freedom to follow or not follow any given religion; 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.
In other words, with adultery as an example, Congress will not pass a law stating it is legal or illegal. And, it's up to the individual organizations to define if adultery is acceptable or not amongst its members. And, within the laws of the United States, what is proper punishment from said organization for failure to follow their rules (fine, expulsion, certainly not death).

So, when those who argue against laws that others seem to only justify based on what God or Jesus wants, it is merely that the former are just trying to uphold the idea of the First Amendment - as written in the Constitution and as revisited by Thomas Jefferson in his letter.

If that's not clear enough, consider this: If those in constant opposition to the current stem cell research practices finally drove the scientific community to [what soon appears to be successfully] finding another way to extract stem cells without harming the embryo, then why can't those in opposition - to laws solely based on God's/Jesus' wishes - request the law's proponents find a more common justification for their desired legislation?

1 Comments:

At 11 September, 2006 20:50, Blogger Seven Star Hand said...

Hello Alan and all,

Bush's Gift Horse has Hoof in Mouth Again

Katherine Harris' recent gaffe proves that the Republican Party is hell-bent on imposing a theocracy, regardless of what most people think, or what the US constitution says or the founding fathers said. While bedeviling us all with their holier-than-thou pretenses and thinly-veiled stage acting, they regularly "climb into bed" and trade favors with any scoundrel, cabal, or corporation willing to pave their path to wealth and power. Here is one more straw upon the camel’s back evidencing the failings of any system that foolishly relies on money, religion, and politics to deliver truth and justice for all.

Let's get to the root of the problem of deluded and greedy politicians who seek to impose their own ignorance on millions of others. Because of our reliance on money, politics, and religion, we are teetering on the verge of worldwide disaster. Idiots like Ms. Harris and her cohorts couldn't care less about everyone else as long as they get their hands on wealth and power, even if it means pretending to serve the Creator. It is long past time that people stand up for truth and justice and give these scoundrels their due.

Read more here...

Peace...

 

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