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Are Islam and Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhs and Pagans protected by the First Amendment?

Somerville

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It seems that many who call themselves Christian in America, believe that only their faith is meant to be protected under "religious freedom" laws?

There are some who openly state that nothing but Christianity should be allowed out in public in this country. Others are a bit nicer, just saying that only Christianity and perhaps Judaism, should be favoured by government.

We have outspoken groups blaming every disaster upon the lack of prayer and Bible study in public schools, of course those same groups would freak out if the Rig Veda or Quran were read in public schools.

There are Americans screaming about "creeping sharia laws" while at the same time demanding the Bible be the foundation for all laws.

Back in 2014, while still, Chief Justice on the Alabama Supreme Court, Roy Moore was saying these things.

"Everybody, to include the United States Supreme Court, has been deceived as to one little word in the first amendment called 'religion,'" he said. "They can't define it."

Moore insisted that freedom of religion applies only the God of the Bible, and therefore the protections of the establishment clause do not extend to other religions, such as Islam and Buddhism.

"They don't want to do that, because that acknowledges the creator God," he said. "Buddha didn't create us. Muhammad didn't create us. It's the God of the Holy Scriptures."

According to Moore, the government and the Supreme Court should define religion as James Madison and George Mason did - "The duties we owe to the Creator and the manner of discharging it."

"They didn't bring a Koran on the pilgrim ship, Mayflower," he said. "Let's get real. Let's learn our history. Let's stop playing games."
 
It seems that many who call themselves Christian in America, believe that only their faith is meant to be protected under "religious freedom" laws?

There are some who openly state that nothing but Christianity should be allowed out in public in this country. Others are a bit nicer, just saying that only Christianity and perhaps Judaism, should be favoured by government.

We have outspoken groups blaming every disaster upon the lack of prayer and Bible study in public schools, of course those same groups would freak out if the Rig Veda or Quran were read in public schools.

There are Americans screaming about "creeping sharia laws" while at the same time demanding the Bible be the foundation for all laws.

Back in 2014, while still, Chief Justice on the Alabama Supreme Court, Roy Moore was saying these things.

As a Christian, I believe firmly in the separation of Church and State. They should be protected, but not consulted, if that makes sense.

Of course, people will vote with their beliefs, so it's unavoidable...which is why the protection piece is important.
 
It seems that many who call themselves Christian in America, believe that only their faith is meant to be protected under "religious freedom" laws?

There are some who openly state that nothing but Christianity should be allowed out in public in this country. Others are a bit nicer, just saying that only Christianity and perhaps Judaism, should be favoured by government.

We have outspoken groups blaming every disaster upon the lack of prayer and Bible study in public schools, of course those same groups would freak out if the Rig Veda or Quran were read in public schools.

There are Americans screaming about "creeping sharia laws" while at the same time demanding the Bible be the foundation for all laws.

Back in 2014, while still, Chief Justice on the Alabama Supreme Court, Roy Moore was saying these things.

As usual...who gives a ****? When people like this voice their view...acknowledging them only empowers them. Shoulda learned that from the trumpenator.
 
It seems that many who call themselves Christian in America, believe that only their faith is meant to be protected under "religious freedom" laws?

There are some who openly state that nothing but Christianity should be allowed out in public in this country. Others are a bit nicer, just saying that only Christianity and perhaps Judaism, should be favoured by government.

We have outspoken groups blaming every disaster upon the lack of prayer and Bible study in public schools, of course those same groups would freak out if the Rig Veda or Quran were read in public schools.

There are Americans screaming about "creeping sharia laws" while at the same time demanding the Bible be the foundation for all laws.

Back in 2014, while still, Chief Justice on the Alabama Supreme Court, Roy Moore was saying these things.

Sadly, this isn't the biggest thing that Roy Moore is wrong about. That begins with "dating and having sex with minors," followed by "believing that the last time the US was great was during slavery."

The guy is a grade A dumb asshole.
 
It seems that many who call themselves Christian in America, believe that only their faith is meant to be protected under "religious freedom" laws?

There are some who openly state that nothing but Christianity should be allowed out in public in this country. Others are a bit nicer, just saying that only Christianity and perhaps Judaism, should be favoured by government.

We have outspoken groups blaming every disaster upon the lack of prayer and Bible study in public schools, of course those same groups would freak out if the Rig Veda or Quran were read in public schools.

There are Americans screaming about "creeping sharia laws" while at the same time demanding the Bible be the foundation for all laws.

Back in 2014, while still, Chief Justice on the Alabama Supreme Court, Roy Moore was saying these things.

First, define 'religion' as the founders meant it, then as it is meant now. If Islam, Buda, etc, fall under either definition then they are included. I think most religions would prefer that they were the only one to get public protection. Christians are no exception. But, they are all protected.
 
First, define 'religion' as the founders meant it, then as it is meant now. If Islam, Buda, etc, fall under either definition then they are included. I think most religions would prefer that they were the only one to get public protection. Christians are no exception. But, they are all protected.

Thomas Jefferson, who was often accused of being an atheist, certainly thought religious freedom was meant to protect all religions.

Extract from Thomas Jefferson’s Draft Autobiography Feb. 6 [1821]

The bill for establishing religious freedom, the principles of which had, to a certain degree, been enacted before, I had drawn in all the latitude of reason & right. it still met with opposition; but, with some mutilations in the preamble, it was finally past; and a singular proposition proved that it’s protection of opinion was meant to be universal. where the preamble declares that coercion is a departure from the plan of the holy author of our religion, an amendment was proposed, by inserting the words ‘Jesus Christ’ so that it should read ‘a departure from the plan of Jesus Christ, the holy author of our religion’ the insertion was rejected by a great majority, in proof that they meant to comprehend, within the mantle of it’s protection, the Jew and the Gentile, the Christian and Mahometan, the Hindoo and infidel of every denomination.
 
The first amendment makes no reference to religion so all claims that it does are invalid.
 
The first amendment makes no reference to religion so all claims that it does are invalid.

I believe you are wrong.

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.
 
The first amendment makes no reference to religion so all claims that it does are invalid.

Are you kidding me? Try actually reading it:

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.
 
I believe you are wrong.

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.

You are correct. The 1St amendment, as you posted it, does deny restrictions on religions which is the whole point of this thread.
 
Try actually understanding the intent of it instead of just going off on a tangent.

Try actually understanding the 1st before commenting on it.

The first amendment makes no reference to religion so all claims that it does are invalid.

Derp.
 
Try actually understanding the intent of it instead of just going off on a tangent.

Try actually expressing your intent instead of making ridiculously false claims. The 1A intended to prevent the nation (federal government) from establishing any particular religion and to allow those within it to be able to freely practice the religion of their choice. There may have been some (initial) debate as to whether it applied to state/local governments but that has long since been settled.
 
The first amendment makes no reference to religion so all claims that it does are invalid.

First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America
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.

You are correct. The 1St amendment, as you posted it, does deny restrictions on religions which is the whole point of this thread.

Try actually understanding the intent of it instead of just going off on a tangent.

Having read a 'few' words written by a couple of guys who lived in 18th Century America, it seems to me that ALL religious faiths were intended to be protected under the Constitution. In case you don't know, but one of the reasons for the First Amendment was the ever so small fact that several of the states back then, had "state churches" which were funded, at least in part, by the taxes of the states' residents. There were also cases of preachers being arrested simply because they belonged to the wrong church.

Are you like some present-day Americans who believe that only Judaism and Christianity are to be viewed as actual religions? All other beliefs simply don't comply with the definition of "religion" as intended by James Madison and his fellow founding fathers?
 
First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America
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.





Having read a 'few' words written by a couple of guys who lived in 18th Century America, it seems to me that ALL religious faiths were intended to be protected under the Constitution. In case you don't know, but one of the reasons for the First Amendment was the ever so small fact that several of the states back then, had "state churches" which were funded, at least in part, by the taxes of the states' residents. There were also cases of preachers being arrested simply because they belonged to the wrong church.

Are you like some present-day Americans who believe that only Judaism and Christianity are to be viewed as actual religions? All other beliefs simply don't comply with the definition of "religion" as intended by James Madison and his fellow founding fathers?

Where, except in your fevered imagination, did you come up with that? Can you provide a quote where I indicated such? No facts from you, ignored on this topic.
 
It seems that many who call themselves Christian in America, believe that only their faith is meant to be protected under "religious freedom" laws?

There are some who openly state that nothing but Christianity should be allowed out in public in this country. Others are a bit nicer, just saying that only Christianity and perhaps Judaism, should be favoured by government.

We have outspoken groups blaming every disaster upon the lack of prayer and Bible study in public schools, of course those same groups would freak out if the Rig Veda or Quran were read in public schools.

There are Americans screaming about "creeping sharia laws" while at the same time demanding the Bible be the foundation for all laws.

Back in 2014, while still, Chief Justice on the Alabama Supreme Court, Roy Moore was saying these things.

That's the way all religious zealots think. Which is why we have - 'Merica.
 
First, define 'religion' as the founders meant it, then as it is meant now. If Islam, Buda, etc, fall under either definition then they are included. I think most religions would prefer that they were the only one to get public protection. Christians are no exception. But, they are all protected.

Face Palm.jpg
 
Where, except in your fevered imagination, did you come up with that? Can you provide a quote where I indicated such? No facts from you, ignored on this topic.

Your words here don't appear to be related to my earlier comment, so I can't answer your questions without clarification.
 
It seems that many who call themselves Christian in America, believe that only their faith is meant to be protected under "religious freedom" laws?

There are some who openly state that nothing but Christianity should be allowed out in public in this country. Others are a bit nicer, just saying that only Christianity and perhaps Judaism, should be favoured by government.

We have outspoken groups blaming every disaster upon the lack of prayer and Bible study in public schools, of course those same groups would freak out if the Rig Veda or Quran were read in public schools.

There are Americans screaming about "creeping sharia laws" while at the same time demanding the Bible be the foundation for all laws.

Back in 2014, while still, Chief Justice on the Alabama Supreme Court, Roy Moore was saying these things.

First I am a Christian and I don't believe that.

I don't think any religion should be favored by our government. And I'm okay with spirituality being a separate thing from practical education.

We have people that blame all sorts of things on all sorts of other things some of them are completely false or made up. As far as reading religious texts in school outside of a historically significant usage of it I don't think that should happen. Regardless of holy origination.

I personally I'm not worried about Sharia law is there are not enough Muslims here to enforce it. And I disagree with enforcing biblical law.

I'm glad more didn't get elected although I am conservative I don't think that would have been good for our party. I think Trump should have openly not endorse to the man. And his views are bat**** nuts.

Just to be glad he didn't get any farther.
 
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