Originally posted by Arlo
I don't have to. It's already established that the slogan "In God We Trust" does not endorse or promote any single religion. Hence it's appearance on currency does not represent the establishment of a state religion. The case has no basis. It's a waste of time and taxpayer money. And, apparently, none of that matters to the person or persons involved in bringing the case to court.
*sigh* As I've stated many times before, the government is not supposed to endorse religion period. God implies endorsement of religion. Not any single religion, but religion nonethless and that should not be happening at all. The case has plenty of basis in the line I just stated, and have been stating, you simply choose to ignore it because it doesn't support your idealogy of placing religious symbols throughout the nation.
The school system violated that TA's rights as stated in the first amendment of the portion of the Constitution known as the Bill of Rights. Their rule is unconstitutional hence illegal. If she attempted to lead the class in prayer that's something else.Stated this before too. If the school has a dress code, then it has a dress code and if it clearly says no religious affiliated jewelry or religious affiliated items then that's that. She has the right to excercise her religion. No where in the Christian religion does it state you must express your faith through gold plated cross necklaces or through wearing crosses. There was no infringement on her faith in anyway, the only thing that happened was she was told she could not show her jewelry. That's not excercising your Christian religion in any way, shape or form- no matter how much you try to bend it. I may not about Muslims, Jehovah's witnesses or 7th day whatevers... I do know Christianity though, and I know excercising your faith does not involve wearing fancy cross jewelry, having a christ tattoo or slapping a bumper sticker on your car "Jesus Saves".
Going after one sets precident for going after them all, voluntary or involuntary practices being of no real concern. Even Atheism can be classified as a religious belief but since it has no actual symbology or practices (to my knowledge) then it can survive the actions taken on other religions. And if the end result is squelching everything except Atheism ... then guess what (you're bound to see it coming) .... that's the state endorsing one single religious belief - Atheism.
Guess what? That whole paragraph is completely false. In order to be religious you need to believe in something. Atheists don't believe in anything, therefore the absence of belief negates it being labelled a religion in any sensible fashion.
But I'm no atheist, be sure of that. I'm not religious either, wrap your noggin around that one.
-SW