tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6753700623338592865.post6065907521215992002..comments2023-10-31T08:39:47.765-07:00Comments on The Constitution Of Our Forefathers: Part 2. The Founders of the Constitution clearly intended for the Bible to be taught in schools.Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00418614678745755522noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6753700623338592865.post-81431446261886225392012-01-03T08:38:50.011-08:002012-01-03T08:38:50.011-08:00Thanks for bring up 1781, as being falsely quoted....Thanks for bring up 1781, as being falsely quoted. However, controversy remains on the other three. Continue with me as I explain some of the faults in the left's revision of history. No side is completely without misrepresentation in this issue. Again, thanks for stopping by and commenting.Rickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00418614678745755522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6753700623338592865.post-79711280245693907702011-12-31T14:32:02.867-08:002011-12-31T14:32:02.867-08:00Separation of church and state is a bedrock princi...Separation of church and state is a bedrock principle of our Constitution much like the principles of separation of powers and checks and balances. In the Constitution, the founders did not simply say in so many words that there should be separation of powers and checks and balances; rather, they actually separated the powers of government among three branches and established checks and balances. Similarly, they did not merely say there should be separation of church and state; rather, they actually separated them by (1) establishing a secular government on the power of "We the people" (not a deity), (2) saying nothing to connect that government to god(s) or religion, (3) saying nothing to give that government power over matters of god(s) or religion, and (4), indeed, saying nothing substantive about god(s) or religion at all except in a provision precluding any religious test for public office. Given the norms of the day, the founders' avoidance of any expression in the Constitution suggesting that the government is somehow based on any religious belief was quite a remarkable and plainly intentional choice. They later buttressed this separation of government and religion with the First Amendment, which constrains the government from undertaking to establish religion or prohibit individuals from freely exercising their religions. The basic principle, thus, rests on much more than just the First Amendment.<br /><br />Madison, who had a central role in drafting the Constitution and the First Amendment, confirmed that he understood them to “[s]trongly guard[] . . . the separation between Religion and Government.” Madison, Detached Memoranda (~1820). He made plain, too, that they guarded against more than just laws creating state sponsored churches or imposing a state religion. Mindful that even as new principles are proclaimed, old habits die hard and citizens and politicians could tend to entangle government and religion (e.g., “the appointment of chaplains to the two houses of Congress” and “for the army and navy” and “[r]eligious proclamations by the Executive recommending thanksgivings and fasts”), he considered the question whether these actions were “consistent with the Constitution, and with the pure principle of religious freedom” and responded: “In strictness the answer on both points must be in the negative. The Constitution of the United States forbids everything like an establishment of a national religion.”<br /><br />While the religious views of various founders are subjects of some uncertainty and controversy, it is safe to say that many founders were Christian of one sort or another and held views such as you note regarding religion. In assessing the nature of our government, though, care should be taken to distinguish between society and government and not to make too much of various founders’ individual religious beliefs. Their individual beliefs, while informative, are largely beside the point. Whatever their religions, they drafted a Constitution that establishes a secular government and separates it from religion as noted earlier. This is entirely consistent with the fact that some founders professed their religiosity and even their desire that Christianity remain the dominant religious influence in American society. Why? Because religious people who would like to see their religion flourish in society may well believe that separating religion and government will serve that end and, thus, in founding a government they may well intend to keep it separate from religion. It is entirely possible for thoroughly religious folk to found a secular government and keep it separate from religion. That, indeed, is just what the founders did.<br /><br />Take care in reciting "history" on this subject, as misconceptions and downright dishonesty abound, among which are the items you mention for 1781, 1787, 1802, and 1844.Doug Indeaphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16049465653137283724noreply@blogger.com