Re: THE BEST THING ABOUT ATHEISTS


"Beldin the Sorcerer" <beldinyyz@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote

Except the constitution says no establishing a state religion, and
allowing public use for SOME does that.
Banning it all does not.

Actually the constitution says exactly:
<quoted text>
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech,
or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to
petition the government for a redress of grievances.
<end quoted text>

The right of the people to peaceably assemble without the prohibition of the
FREE EXCERSIZE of Religion, and the freedom of speech.

To me that doesn't say to me that the Government CAN or SHOULD stop the
religous groups from gathering together and putting up a Christmas Tree,
Manger Scene, Menorrah, Star of David, Red Crescent, The ten commandments, a
wikkan pentagram, an anarchists circled A, or an Atheist Manifesto.

Besides, it says CONGRESS shall make no laws, not State or Local
Governments. Now the State or Local governments have the power to issue
permits for displays or parades, or whatever they feel is in the best
interest of the local community. I'm sure most Cities, Counties, and States
would balk at Wiccan Nude dancing in the public square, but would not have a
problem with (or at least have to allow) marches by "hate groups" including
Neo-Nazi skinheads or The KKK, while 90%+ of Americans may deplore their
marches and demonstrations, that doesn't mean that they don't have the right
to PEACEABLY assemble and as long as they follow the rules of the local
jurisdiction's rules and laws they can acquire the proper permits and hold
their Hate speeches and hate marches.

The 1st ammendment applies to EVERYONE. There is not a "Freedom FROM
Relion" but the right to freely excersize their Religion. If your religion
is "Atheism" (by the way religions aren't defined in the constitution, for a
reason) then by all means have organized, law abiding parades, public
property displays and "have at it and have fun". But don't try and take
away MY rights to peaceably assemble and have a Christian Celebration,
parade, or display on public property, as long as I get the REQUIRED PERMITS
from the local authorities. In fact, I will go as far as to say that
RESTRICTING ALL displays and Religions from acquiring said permits and
putting up their displays is UNCONSTITUTIONAL according to the 1st
ammendment, not the Opposite, that you and others have espoused in this
thread.

There is no "Freedom from Religion" in the Constitution, although you have
the right to not particpate, and the Federal Government cannot pass laws
establishing Religion, does NOT mean that because you may be offended by a
Christmas display that it isn't legal. In fact, quite the contrary if you
read the 1st ammendmet, so "restricting all religions from public land use
for displays" flies in the face of the 1st ammendment that guarantees that
the Government will not prohibit the free excersize of Religion. As much as
I despise the KKK and Nazi Skinheads, I still say that under the 1st
ammendment as long as they get permits and follow the local laws, they have
EVERY right to march and hold assembly in a public park or on Courthouse
steps or whatever. What I'm saying is that "banning all displays" would be
unconstitutional on its face..

JMHO

--
Rick "ADB DaVoice" Charles



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