Quote:

And THUS, yet ANOTHER example of WHY there should ALWAYS BE a STRICT SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE BUSINESS in THIS country, known to some(myself included) as the "Good ol' U.S. of A", Larry ol' Boy!

BECAUSE...when people(as is human nature) "believe" that THEIR GOD imbues them with some "exceptional privileges" or "overpowering insights", NO MATTER if they are in the MAJORITY(perhaps "christian", maybe?!) or the MINORITY(perhaps "muslim", maybe?!), then sir, ANYBODY living in what could remotely be described as a "MODERN DEMOCRATIC and ENLIGHTENED SOCIETY" are ALL in friggin' TROUBLE!!!

Now, is there any other social phenomena which you'd care for me to explain to you, or this sounding a tad "Kalifornia elitist" to you already???

(...and people wonder why I like DOGS...trained to sniff for explosives or NOT...more than friggin' people!!!)



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.

Sorry Dwight kalifornia cant take credit for the seperation of church and sate Idea, sombosdy thought of that a long time ago. All devout Christians I might add.

But keep also in mind all the laws that make us a civilized people, Are based on the Judeo-Christian ethic.


Mr. President

To messers Nehemiah Dodge, Ephraim Robbins, & Stephen S. Nelson a committee of the Danbury Baptist association in the state of Connecticut.

Gentlemen

The affectionate sentiments of esteem & approbation which you are so good as to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist association, give me the highest satisfaction. my duties dictate a faithful & zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, and in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more & more pleasing.

Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man & his god, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, 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. [Congress thus inhibited from acts respecting religion, and the Executive authorised only to execute their acts, I have refrained from presenting even occasional performances of devotion presented indeed legally where an Executive is the legal head of a national church, but subject here, as religious exercises only to the voluntary regulations and discipline of each respective sect.] Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.

I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection and blessing of the common Father and creator of man, and tender you for yourselves and your religious association, assurances of my high respect & esteem.

(signed) Thomas Jefferson
Jan.1.1802.


Last edited by oneijack; 07/02/2008 2:40 AM.
The percentage you're paying is too high-priced While you're living beyond all your means And the man in the suit has just bought a new car From the profit he's made on your dreams