By Steve Rossiter ——Bio and Archives--March 24, 2024
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This is the first of a series of articles looking at aspects of the United States Constitution to examine how well it has held up through the test of time. I suspect many readers will find that nearly 250 years of human foibles have tweaked some things in, heretofore, unacknowledged ways.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
On September 17, 1787, these clauses said exactly what was meant, and it was totally understood by anyone who read it. There was total freedom of religion, and the government was prohibited from establishing a state religion.
How are we doing in March 2024? Do we still have total freedom of religion? Can Americans freely place religious symbols on public property such as the Ten Commandments or a nativity scene? Can a public employee place a religious symbol on the wall of his/her cubicle or office wall? Can a public employee or student in public schools have a bible on his/her desk? Can he or she openly pray while on the clock? In 1787, this was not a problem. However, it would seem that the free exercise of religion is a lost liberty in 2024.
"Do not let anyone claim tribute of American patriotism if they even attempt to remove religion from politics." ~ George Washington
"Remember civil and religious liberty always go together: if the foundation of the one be sapped, the other will fall of course." ~ Alexander Hamilton
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