Dobbs gets something right.

[lazarus]

The separation of church and state in this country is narrowing. And it is the church, not the state that is encroaching. Our Constitution protects religion from the intrusion or coercion of the state. But we have precious little protection against the political adventurism of all manner of churches and religious organizations......

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/05/08/Dobbs.May9/index.html

[David Koot]

I would guess that the present climate is less oppressive than it was when the Constitution was ratified. At that time, the colonies were still struggling with established religion--Maryland, Virgina, Massachusetts, etc. But, church groups are resurgent, and are pounding on the doors! And, this generation is quite different from that of the Framers. Hard to get, easier given away.

Cheers.

[Dr. Shane]

Historically, the separation of church and state has never been greater in the US than it is today. In the last 40 years there have been many court decisions that forced a greater separation that previous decades. The civil rights legislation of the 60s has provided religious protection above and beyond what is in the Constitution.

Religious activist groups have turned back some issues and from what I see that is good. It use to be illegal for a child in a public school to say blessing before he ate his food. That was challenged in the courts and the courts ruled that freedom of speech gives a child the right to pray before eating his meal. Similar cases have given religious groups the right to use public facilities to the same extent other groups like the Lions Club can.

What liberals like Lou Dobbs doesn't like is that most religious activists are conservatives. Such liberals do not complain about religious leaders like Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton protesting for civil rights. Or religious groups that are against the war in Iraq. They only get upset when conservative religious groups lobby against gay marriage or abortion. So their "fight" against separation of church and state is a smoke screen to fight against conservatives they disagree with. A more balanced approach to the issue of separation of church and state comes from our own Liberty Magazine.

[Woody]

Shane .... Is Dobbs a liberal? I had heard that he was a registered Republican. Perhaps he is a liberal Republican?

[bevin]

" It use to be illegal for a child in a public school to say blessing before he ate his food. "

I don't think this is correct

/Bevin

[Dr. Shane]

Honestly, I have never followed Lou Dobbs too closely. From what I understand he has been conservative as far economics up until recently. Since I don't have CNN in my home, I really am not qualified to evaluate him too much and was wrong to label him liberal based solely on his opposition to religious conservatives.

Our church opposes many things the religious conservatives do BUT we also oppose much of the judicial activism that the liberals do. Sop we tend to me more moderate than either of those extremes.

[Dr. Shane]

Quote:

I don't think this is correct

It is no longer illegal because it was challenged in court. The court ruled that prayer by individual students is protected by freedom of speech. However, I think it should also be protected by freedom of religion. "Congress shall make no law..."