The mayor of Cranston, Rhode Island, has decided to let people in the community decorate the grounds of City Hall for Christmas. Some people are offended by a nativity scene. The Snowman doesn’t bother them. Neither does the menorah. Or even the flamingos.
The First Amendment restricts Congress from making laws regarding religion. Period. The Providence Journal says people are breaking the law when they place religious symbols on government property:
So the ACLU has responded, as it has to. It carries the burden of protecting the Constitution and it sometimes has to deal with calculated publicity stunts such as the one currently being pulled at Cranston City Hall.
What law is that? I thought the Constitution prevented just such a law being imposed.
And I’m sorry if someone is offended, but I don’t remember any of the rights in the Bill of Rights addressing freedom from being offended. I am offended by hip hop music, Paris Hilton, a crucifix swimming in a jar of urine, and people who are easily offended. Do I have a case? Will the ACLU support me in a lawsuit?
The issue of separation of church and state comes from a famous letter by Thomas Jefferson to a Baptist congregation in Danbury, Connecticut. In the letter, he wrote to assuage their fears that the new federal government might restrict their freedom of worship. His implication was not that religion played no part in our lives. In fact, he attended church services two days after writing the letter
texas hold’em
The struggle itself towards the heights is enough to fill a human heart. One must imagine that Sisyphus is happy. by texas hold’em
Trackback by texas hold'em — February 23, 2005 @ 12:33 pm