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.