--- On Fri, 3/11/11, Luther <[email protected]> wrote: From: Luther <[email protected]> Subject: Re: WT EDITORIAL: Separation between church & state? Not from Thomas Jefferson! To: "Rich" <[email protected]> Cc: [email protected] Date: Friday, March 11, 2011, 8:26 AM Rich, The way I see it is: 1) The Preamble to the Bill of Rights limits the powers of Government. In part: THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution. 2) The First Amendment spells out that the Government stay out of the Religious arena. In part: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof 3) If there is a jurisdictional dispute, the Government takes back seat to the Church - that means the whole assembly of God-fearing individuals; not a specific denomination. This is in perfect harmony with Federalism and a Republican form of Government. These matters are by decree (10th Amendment) reserved to the States or People. I happen to have photocopies of both of THJefferson's letters to the Danbury Baptist Association, and he says "Wall of Separation," not just separation of Church and State: Those are the words of Justice Hugo Black. That wall, by the way, is transparent, not made of brick and mortar. Thereby they may watch each other, but the Government has no control over Faith and Practice. For a very clear analysis of these letters, refer to "Thomas Jefferson and the Wall of Separation between Church and State, by Daniel L. Dreisbach." Doug has always been a straight-shooter. This is not to critique his missive, but rather, to enhance the discussion. Suffice it to say that the Communist Manifesto is throughout, "Anti-God," (or Godless). Luther -- To join RichsRants, send email to: [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/richsrants?hl=en
