- Look...America, regarding the existance of a 'soul', 'God' and 'the afterlife' - these are all intrinsic PERSONAL issues unto which everyone may (or may not) consider during thier own lifetime. These matters, be it as they may, are NON-ISSUES which have absolutely NO place...save for the establishments of religion where we may excercise our religion freely. Moreover, as a Deist, I neither favor nor discredit ANY one person's beliefs because I respect what Our Founding Forefathers decreed under the Bill of Rights' First Amendment back on September 17, 1787:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."
- It was believed, by Our Forefathers, that this would be enough and that future generations would understand that none shall be condemned regarding thier own faith and/or religion. Afterall, it was due to the such moments in Colonial American History like the 'Salem Witch Trials' of 1692 which the First Amendment was derived (...not to mention 'the Crusades' of the 14th - 15th Century in Europe, but I digress). Alas, such was not the case as individuals STILL saught to condemn others regarding thier religion. Since it wasn't enough to be told what everyone COULD do...we had to amend the Constitution to let everyone know what they COULDN'T do - hence, the 14th Amendment of July 9, 1868:
"No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws".
- Religion has it's place in everyone's life...including those who do not prescribe to any particular religion (agnostics) or no religion at all (athiests). Regardless of religious preference, it neither enhances nor detracts from another human being...from being a human being, and unto these citizens of the United States of America - thier unalienable rights. It is perfectly alright for anyone to believe whatever it is they choose to believe...it is NOT alright for someone to condemn another for no other reason then thier own particular religion. It is respecting those grounds that I stand firmly AGAINST anyone seeking to:
- Make religion an issue (which is Unconstitutional - 1st Amendment),
- Make religion a part of Local/State/Federal function (which is Unconstitutional - 14th Amendment.
- Religion is being DISCRIMINATED against by not being TAUGHT in public schools.
This is misleading and false - the concept of religion not being taught in schools is derived from individuals saying thier particular religion is not being taught. In order to teach religion in public schools...it would have to be a broad spectrum curriculum covering ALL religions, not just a specific religion. Parents wishing to have thier children to be taught theology in general can request to have World Theology as an extra-curricular course elective provided by your independent school districts. If these parent wish to have thier children learn thier own particular religion then take them to church - that's what the Constitution provides churches for so that individuals seeking answers regarding a particular religion know where to go. Unless it's a broad, all-enclusive curriculum teaching the basics of all religions in general...then you are requesting to have a particular religion taught which is not the function of ANY State/Federal system - including public schools.
- Religion is being DISCRIMINATED against by not allowing PRAYER in school.
This is also misleading and false - when I went to public school I was not restricted from prayer. It wasn't due to the school being more tolerant, I simply did not detract from the allotted time provided by the State and Federal government (...in order to pray for success on my SAT). What IS being banned is communal prayer of the entire student body, because not everyone believes in what secular religion is being ordained and, hence, inviolates the 14th Amendment. Communal prayer is also banned on the grounds of using the allotted time provided by State/Federal government derived for religion, not education (which also inviolates the 14th Amendment as not all students prescribe to a particular faith/belief). It is allowed for students to meet off campus (i.e - school property) and pray as long as thier length of prayer does not interrupt thier intent and purpose (i.e. - attend school to learn). Parents can enroll thier children into private schools that support thier particular religion if they wish to have thier children spending time learning about religion (instead of, say...U.S. Government), outside of thier already prescribed establishments of religion.- Now here are some points that are REAL ISSUES. These points are derived primarily due to DISCIMINATION derived from individual religions:
- Students denied attire regarding thier particular faith.
In as much as a State/Federal cannot support a particular religion - it also cannot discriminate AGAINST anyone of a particular religion. That means, students can wear whatever emblem they wish that supports thier religion (as long as it does not directly inviolate school dress code - showing up to public school wearing a bikini emblazoned with crosses most likely will inviolate the ISD dress code - please consult your public school, dress codes may vary). The head covering that is worn by secular muslim women is one such example of attire that can be worn in public schools - to force a student to remove said attire and/or reject a student due to such attire is discrimination regarding thier religion. It would be just as discriminatory to tell a student to remove a necklace emblazoned with a cross.
- Faculty supporting a particular religion, condeming others.
State-sponsored ISD Faculty (teachers, principle, etc) are allowed to wear whatever is appropriate regarding thier religion (see above), what they cannot do is condemn others regarding THIER particular religious attire/religion. This is one of such issues that has NOT been addressed and is still an issue within public schools today. You will find some public schools in various States that STILL have emblems regarding secular religion adorning thier walls, a faculty that stanchly (almost militantly) condones a particular religion and even condemns student faculty regarding thier own particular religion. Under NO circumstance are tax dollars to be spent regarding the establishment of a religion - that includes faculty seeking to enforce thier particular brand of religion. Any faculty member seeking to do so are discriminatory and are better off volunteering thier time at a private school that supports thier particular religion then teaching in public schools.
- Faculty not preventing discrimination amongst students.
This is the worst...which stems from an apathetic faculty (or supportive faculty) where religion is not refrained from in public schools amongst the student body. This has been the PREMIER reason behind the 'bullying' you may have already heard in the news as of late...that lead to a string of suicides. Even though it will be decreed that what I am posting is not based on fact...how can the intolerance of another person's religion (...or another person PERIOD) occur if a faculty is insuring the safety and protection of the student body they are seeking to educate. This is a glaring failure on behalf of several States regarding thier ISDs (Independent School Districts) and I believe launching an internal investigation regarding these public schools needs enacted. If a school faculty is incapable of ensuring the safety of the citizenry's children who pay thier salaries via taxes...then they should NOT be a part of that school's faculty. Religious intolerance has NO place in public schools - even amongst the student body. The faculty in SOME public schools need to start doing thier State-Appointed JOBS.- Still feel the need to include Religion along with Government sponsored agencies? Don't get me started on the 'banned book list' that some schools elect to follow - this list is derived from a particular religion. One of the books on that list: Farenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, a story based on the dangers...of banning books. Anyone can go to whatever church sponsoring any religion they wish AND be free to discuss thier religion WITHOUT fear of oppression (...unless you're a Branch Davidian in Texas). It's possible to put your religion beliefs to the press and publish your religion en masse. You can even wear emblems of your religion openly without fear of being regarded as a lesser because of your said religion - such discrimination is actually UNCONSTITUTIONAL. Why do people believe that thier religion is being discriminated against?...in America, you have the most open system of government regarding ANY religion. The only 'discrimination' that's occuring, was the foundation that Our Forefathers created over 150 years ago...are we really taking THIS long follow directions? Weight in, folks...what do YOU think?
The American Deist,
M.D. Little.
In respecting "Seperation of Church and State",
ReplyDelete- The essence of 'religion' simply is not an inherently debatable subject - the only way religion can be LOGICALLY addressed is through the advent of psychology regarding law. Ultimately, it's not even the precepts of religion that are being addressed - it's the question regarding whether or not someone's inalienable rights have or have not been violated. Here are the two main reasons why secular religion cannot be employed democratically through legislature:
1) Secular religion is 'divinely inspired', hence is not subject to the 'laws of man'.
- The inability to enact alterations upon secular religious texts and/or philosophies leaves a set of moral and ethical guidelines which cannot be refutted. With that knowing, it's impossible to regard secular religion anything, but a personal reference as employing secular religion to purport 'law' creates such atrocities such as The Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition of 1478 (a.k.a. - 'The Spanish Inquisition').
2) Secular religion only applies to those of said religion/condemns other not thereof.
- This is the paradox that prevents religions from being the hallmark authority (and, henceforth, rule of man) as secular religions are not all-inclusive to the world in general. In order to be considered beholden unto the precepts within a secular religion - you have to be a follower therof. Not everyone in America follows the same religion, nor may immigrants coming from a foreign country to the United States - such as India, or Iraq or even China. In seeking this particular enforcement would require all immigrants to convert to a secular religion they may (or may not) desire and/or support.
- To attempt to enforce a particular religion upon another disregards the First Amendment and is Unconstitutional...just as it is Unconstitutional to discriminate another regarding THEIR religion as further reinforced by the 14th Amendment. With that disparity that is inherent within all secular religions, in enforcing one, you discriminate against another - neither actions are supported by the United States Constitution as clearly ordained by Article Five of said Constitution:
"The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution...".
- There is NO religion (that I am aware of) which submits it's precepts and laws to the scrutiny of man - the converse, however, is always true...therefore: TO ORDAIN A SECULAR RELIGION AS THE PREEMINENT RELIGION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND/OR ENACTING A LAW DERIVED THEREOF IS TO DECLARE OPEN WAR UPON ALL OTHER ESTABLISHED RELIGIONS.
- ...err, no thanks, Europe had already gone through approximately 200 - 400 years of bloodshed and slaughter purely based upon the dogmatism of secular religion (affectionately entitled 'The Crusades') so I'm going to have to pass on that one. Religion is a personal reference ONLY - NOTHING unto which can be enforced, or based upon regarding law. I thought we learned by now that the 'Salem Witch Trials' (and other atrocities committed in America) were firmly established as being WRONG.
- I defend Our Founding Forefathers on this issue...Freedom of Religion ultimately provides Freedom FROM anyone else's religion (as per the 14th Amendment)...and unless everyone in America is perfectly content in adopting one secular religion and following Adolph Hitler's example (...something I have NO intention of condoning or supporting) then there MUST be 'Seperation of Church and State'. Otherwise, we can kick off World War III - 'Holy Wars'...aren't.
The American Deist,
M.D. Little.