So how many of you think that the "separation between church and state" is in the Constitution or one of the Amendments?

Well.... Who cares what people think is in the constitution, here are the facts...

Amendment I - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791.

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.

On Religion- The first amendment prohibits the U.S. government (or state/local gov't) of establishing a state religion and has later been to strike down laws which have favored or suppressed one religion over others. This is known as the establishment clause and it was added because of concerns over the roll of state churches in Europe. The other is freedom of expression which is fairly easy to understand but is much harder to enforce.

"A wall of Seperation of Church and State" comes from a letter Jefferson wrote to the Danbury, Connecticut Baptist organization who were discriminated against by the state. It has since been used mainly to discribe the establishment clause of the constitution.

http://www.albertlowe.com/danbury.html

Congress (State) shall make no law respecting (separation) an establishment of religion (church) ...

Just cuz it ain't word fer word don't mean it don't exist.

Unless, of course, you were searching for the literalists in the audience.

What are the chances of history repeating itself?

Oh... Come on CWUgirl... now you took the fun out of the poll....

I am glad to see that some college students are getting and education...

This came up during a late evening discussion with our 20 son the other night... so I was trolling for others that maybe didn't know about the Jefferson Danbury letter....

Maybe people will still answer the poll before they read you reply...

Good job A+

Wabow, I couldn't help myself! In order to graduate from my major I had take a test covering all that good stuff and haven't been able to flush it out yet!

PS- Too bad about NW Archery shutting down.