We need protection of, not from, religion
Published 9:00 pm Thursday, December 23, 2004
A very common mantra most recently has been “separation of church and state.”
The proponents of the aforementioned clause refer for justification to the First Amendment of the Constitution, which states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof or abridging the freedom of speech, to assemble, and petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
I find the clauses “separation of church and state” and “make no laws respecting an establishment of religion” not specifically compatible. Consider a few but not all of the legal attacks against long-standing traditions principally initiated by the ACLU and its followers.
1. Ousting any semblance of religious artifacts, including Christmas decorations, from public buildings and parks. Nativity scenes and Christmas trees are particularly onerous.
2. Causing numerous public schools to cancel long-standing traditional Christmas concerts, plays and decorations.
3. Denying the Boy Scouts the ability to congregate in public parks and prohibiting military units from sponsoring scout units, claiming the Scouts are a religious organization in spite of the fact that children of all faiths are welcome.
4. Denying any religious floats to join public parades celebrating the holidays.
Surely the founders of our nation must find these attacks abhorrent. The framework of our Constitution put in place by our founders is based on Judeo-Christian principles. It is a fact that the mention of God is prominently displayed in federal documents and the walls of many of the federal buildings display historical artifacts such as the Ten Commandments and other reminders of our heritage. And guess what, lo these many years there has been no law made respecting the establishment of religion.
What we must insure is an absolute protection of our freedoms which incidentally includes “freedom of religion” for all faiths.
To one and all, have a Merry Christmas.
RAY DORBOLO
Everett
