Progress 12/8

Worked on the paper some more today. I did some research into the opposing views in terms of Separation of Church and State, so that I could make my paper better balanced. It's interesting reading - one side has got a clear constitutional advantage, while the other main support comes from other sources. I'm learning plenty of new stuff - I must admit I didn't know as much as I would have thought I did going into the project. The issue seems quite simple on the exterior, but once you really get into it, it become extremely complex. There are a lot of legal issues that have yet to be resolved. Every time I come across some new info, I'm simply pulling back another layer to this extremely complicated issue. Hopefully I will be able to shed some light on this in my paper, I am already feeling more knowledgeable about it considering my most current research.

Contract Progress 12/3

Finished up working on my proposition this evening, and did some research into the opposing side of the Separation of Church and State argument. It is really quite baffling that there is such confusion around this topic. It seems that a great deal of the confusion emanates from the fact that the phrase "Separation of Church and State" is never found in the constitution. The idea of freedom of privacy is not specifically addressed either, but I certainly contend that it is a freedom we all possess, whether or not it is guaranteed in the constitution.

Just because the phrase "Separation of Church and State" is not found within the Constitution, the idea certainly is. Turn your attention to the First Amendment.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof ...

This clearly states that Congress will not endorse one religion over another as the state religion. It also states that no person will be denied the ability to exercise their own religion. Try to reconcile these two notions in a public school - it can't be done. You can't hold prayer in school without violating the Establishment Clause, unless you're willing to allow every single religion the ability to pursue their religion in school with impunity. This is simply an impossibility.

If one has any doubt that the Founding Fathers intended our nation to be a secular one, take a look at The Treaty of Tripoli dating from 1797, with was unanimously supported by the Senate.

Art. 11. As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.

Contract Progress 12/2

I did additional research tonight in regards to Separation of Church and State. A common myth that was quickly dispelled upon research of the topic was that our founding fathers intended the United States to be a Christian nation and that the United States was founded upon Christian ideals with Christian values in mind. I've recently come across a fair amount of evidence that contradicts several of these points. Be you Christian or otherwise, it is certainly something to take a look at and think about.

The first person to coin the phrase "Separation of Church and State" in its current context was Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence, and an avid supporter of keeping the government secular. I'll post some of my sources when I get around to it. For now, sleep.

Progress on Contract 12/1

I settled on the topic for my contract, one I feel very strongly about: the issue of separation of Church and State. Anyone who knows me has a fairly good idea of where I stand on this issue. I've spent the evening researching, and there are a fair number of websites supporting both sides of this issue.

Also, something only loosely related, but very interesting I found tonight. This website contains a bunch of information which breaks down religious denominations and where they fall geographically and ethnically within the country. Worth taking a look at for anyone who has interest.