[Jerrek]

The US Supreme Court has interpreted it differently to you

So? Recall my question was Where in the Constitution?

The Supreme Court gives an opinion. Read the Federalist Papers.

Also, I thought that the Constitution, and its Amendments, applied to the whole country - not just the Federal government - While anything *not* specifically mentioned in the Constitution remained the preserve of the individual States.

That is nice, but look:

Amendment I

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.


How the S.C. managed to get to equal Congress with Congress, federal government, and State governments is still a mystery.

Originally Posted by punky

I always thought that the separation between church and state, was meant that the country would be ruled by elected officials, not by the ledaer of the predominant religion. I.e. the opposite of what something like Iran has. That churches and religious clerics have no power in running the country.

Or have I got the wrong end of the stick? The first amendment seems to protect the right of free worship. The separation may not be in the constitution, but is surely preferable nonetheless?

No, you're right. The church shouldn't be running the country. They shouldn't be issuing the laws. However, there is nothing in the Constitution that states the federal government can't be influenced by religion.

Although the Constitution itself doesn't mention "separation of Church & State",

THANK YOU.

That is all I wanted to hear. The Constitution didn't expressly prohibit it, and certainly not to the State governments. The ****ing federal government has no jurisdiction over the State governments in this area!!

Originally Posted by danielf

I think the whole idea of pledging allegiance to a flag at the start of any day is silly anyway. What point does it serve exactly?

If there is no point to it, then there is no need to be worried about it, eh?

Anything that by law needs to repeated to school children at that frequency needs to be questioned and scrutinized in my opinion....

Question all authority? No. The citizens chose to put that law on the books, and who are YOU to tell them they are wrong?

Originally Posted by Graham

Yes, I'm sure you would.

So, I tell you what, I'll come over to the US, after joining the Communist Party and becoming a Muslim, then I'll burn the Stars and Stripes, spit on the Constitution and stand up in front of the White House and say that George W Bush is a warmongering murderer who has sold his soul to the big oil companies and who only got the job because his mates in the judiciary fixed things for him.

I'm sure that I won't have *ANY* problems, don't you agree...???

Yes I do. People here do it all the time.