re: Arkansas' new Ten Commandments monument at Capitol destroyed

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Has the Legislature of Arkansas passed a law mandating that its citizens must follow the beliefs of one specific religion?

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You know what I meant. Don't be that guy.

I hear the Oklahoma satanic statue is looking for a new home. If the Arkansas capitol grounds are open for monuments to religion, I feel like it would be a good home for it.

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lol, I mean, this is Arkansas we are talking about. Are you sure?

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Oh good lord (ha), yes, there are people of many (if not most) different religions in Arkansas. There are also atheists, agnostics, etc.

Please try to avoid living and breathing stereotypes, open-minded liberal.

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That interpretation of the meaning of "separation of Church and State" is incorrect because it violates an individual's constitutional right to freely exercise their religious beliefs

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Not to mention that Jefferson's use of "separate of Church and state" was in a letter to Baptists who were concerned about government overstep. He was assuring them that the 1st amendment was intended to prevent the federal government from creating a state religion that would infringe upon their particular religious beliefs.

The phrase isn't in the Constitution and if it is to be used to help interpret the 1st amendment, it should be used within its context. Those who want to keep religion out of government are missing the point.


ETA the letter where Jefferson even mentions praying for his constitutients even though he was a Deist and not a Christian.

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To messers. Nehemiah Dodge, Ephraim Robbins, & Stephen S. Nelson, a committee of the Danbury Baptist association in the state of Connecticut.

Gentlemen

The affectionate sentiments of esteem and approbation which you are so good as to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist association, give me the highest satisfaction. my duties dictate a faithful and zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, & in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more and more pleasing.

Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church & State. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.

I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection & blessing of the common father and creator of man, and tender you for yourselves & your religious association, assurances of my high respect & esteem.

Th Jefferson
Jan. 1. 1802.

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Lol, you think I'm a "liberal"

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I really don't care, you obviously have a burr up your arse about religions and/or Arkansas. Just trying to set the record straight since I live here and actually know.

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The phrase isn't in the Constitution and if it is to be used to help interpret the 1st amendment, it should be used within its context. Those who want to keep religion out of government are missing the point.

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I think Constitutional jurisprudence disagrees with your assessment.

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Nah. It really sounds like need to lighten up and learn to take a joke

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When I see one I will.

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I think Constitutional jurisprudence disagrees with your assessment

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I don't think it does. When interpreting the Constitution, looking at the historical context in which it was written (including the letters and other writings of those who wrote and signed the document) is permissible, but in doing so, the context of those documents are to be considered, as well. Cherry-picking words and phrases do not add value if those words and phrases are contrary to the meaning the author had.

The context of the 1st amendment is the prevention of government overreach into personal beliefs (or lack thereof) of the people of this country. It wasn't an attack on religion or intended to keep all religion away from the public sphere, as if religion was the cancer that many militant atheists of today believe. It was intended to protect religion and religious expression, since it was held sacred enough to be specifically mentioned in the first enumerated set of rights.