>No they did not. I just threw that in there. How so - this is the discussion I'd like to have: regardless of their personal beliefs how did the actions of the founding fathers create a "Christian Nation"?
I still maintain that they may have indeed been, as a body, very religious but that they specifically and intentionally removed religion from governmental affairs. I don't see this as "belief" or "opinion": it seems pretty clearly fact to me just from reading the documents produced. >I see your point but it does >not change what I believe, which is why I am not going to go round and round >on this. That is what is so nice. We can believe what we want. I hope you realize it was never meant, in any way, to change what you believe. This isn't about personal faith or belief, this is about intentions. I believe (I may be wrong) that your position is that the founding fathers intended this country to be a "Christian Nation". My position is that they did not. This has nothing to do your belief, my belief or even their beliefs: it has to do with the intention and resulting documentation which form the foundation of this country. >So what if >someone disagrees with that. That is what makes this and other free nations >so great, that we can do this and not be afraid. Like others on this list >said, I am not going to say anything on this list that I would not say in >person. Always a good position to take. ;^) >I will on occasion state my views, opinions, beliefs, etc... As will >everyone else. I say what I want to say. If I feel I have to defend what I >say I will, otherwise I just leave it at that. >I do respect what you and others have to say. We are all very passionate >about what we believe and that is great. I hope that no matter what happens >in this great nation of ours, we never lose that passion. I agree completely. I'm still not sure where this transitioned from a discussion about the rule of constitutional law and became a debate about personal beliefs. At the risk of misunderstanding it seems that your personal beliefs are somehow tied to the institutional beliefs of the country. Is it really neccessary to your beliefs that the U.S. is Christain in character and design? How would/could it affects your beliefs if the design were (as I feel it clearly is) completly secular with all possible dispensation for religious freedom? That's the bit I just don't understand. Why does it matter so much that it IS when (as far as I can tell) you're rights and privileges aren't affected in any way, either way. For my part my rights and privileges ARE being curtailed, severely curtailed, due to this incorrect conclusion. From my position the only tangible thing you're fighting for is the continued supression of my rights! ;^) (Yes, I know that's not actually the case but I'm trying to understand why, then, it's so important.) Jim Davis ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| Get involved in the latest ColdFusion discussions, product development sharing, and articles on the Adobe Labs wiki. http://labs/adobe.com/wiki/index.php/ColdFusion_8 Archive: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/CF-Community/message.cfm/messageid:243280 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/CF-Community/subscribe.cfm Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=89.70.5
