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Originally Posted by jayh
Interesting that 'in the year of our Lord' is the ONLY reachingly remote reference to anything that could be considered relgious, though using a common terminology of the day when referring to dates (just as we still use terms like January (Janus) or Wednesday (Woden). If religion were to be a part of the government, wouldn't the Constitution explicitly say so (it defines everything else that was part of the government). Go through the Federalist papers, read the arguments that passed back and forth among the founders during that time period. They covered a lot of this ground 200+ years ago.
Nowhere in the Constitution is any official status granted to any religion (the 1A prohibits Congress from getting involved in religion). Also prohibited were any religious tests of office holding or oaths.
Interestingly, money originally did NOT have 'in God we Trust' but stated 'e pluribus unum' both the money and the pledge (which was not an official document anyway) were altered in the 50s to include the God referrence.
Not everything Congress does is particularly wise.
But enough of this. I really am not here to argue politics, but to learn about shared interests, and have no interest in trying to change your opinion.
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I never said religion is, or should be a part of government. What I was demonstrating is how the government recognizes religion as part of our culture. It's the same with putting a Christmas tree on federal or state property...
It's not hammering a religion or mandating a belief, it is merely a reflection of culture in society.
Although many of our forefathers strongly believed Christianity to be the backbone of our society and the main hope of continuing success and longevity, they also knew the value of keeping the government and the church seperate from one another. I agree with that, but probably not for the same reasons as you.
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There's a huge difference between putting a religiously symbolic tree in town square and mandating religion.
What in the blazes is it about Christmas that freaks all the liberals out anyway?!?!?!??!