The Supreme Court On Public Speech And Religion
BY Herschel Smith
2 years, 4 months ago
The title of the idiotic video at CNN is “Supreme Court further erodes the separation between church and state.”
The legacy media, and as for that matter, the cast majority of Americans, really lack any historical understanding of the nation or how and why it was founded. Quoting R. J. Rushdoony:
“The establishments and settlements in the constituent states were definitely and specifically Christian. In most states, single or plural establishments prevailed. Where no church was established, Christianity as such was nonetheless firmly established. There were religious requirements for citizenship and suffrage, religious oaths, laws prohibiting blasphemy, laws requiring a trinitarian faith, or a firm belief in the infallibility of Scripture, and laws barring unbelievers as witnesses in court. Court decisions sometimes cited biblical law where civil law did not entirely fit the case. In many areas, laws against unbelief were on the statute books. A man could be imprisoned for atheism.” Rushdoony, “The Nature of the American System.”
It’s absurd to claim that the constitution prohibits a prayer during a public event. The very ones who signed the constitution were the ones who grew up in, and were part and parcel of, the political system Rushdoony just described.
But then, Americans don’t study history any more. I made it through American History 101 at Clemson University without learning a single thing about American history.
On June 27, 2022 at 10:13 pm, Frank Clarke said:
“I made it through American History 101 at Clemson University without learning a single thing about American history.”
Color me surprised…
On June 27, 2022 at 11:28 pm, Georgiaboy61 said:
@ Herschel Smith
Re: “But then, Americans don’t study history any more. I made it through American History 101 at Clemson University without learning a single thing about American history.”
And even those atheists and secularists who have studied our history, simply ignore the parts that don’t fit their agenda, and “find” (invent) history that does support it. The Founders and other early Americans built hundreds – perhaps thousands – of buildings, courthouses, monuments and public buildings whose plaques bear some sort of Christian inscription or an invocation of God’s grace and providence.
But when you ask a hardcore atheist about these things, they will claim that it doesn’t matter or that those inscriptions don’t mean what they seem to mean, or contrive some other nonsensical excuse. Anything to avoid facing the fact that the United States of America was founded as a Christian nation. For that matter, that the history of western civilization and Christianity are inextricably entwined and inseparable.
The upshot is that arguing with most of these secularist fanatics is pointless. They’re “true believers” who, when reality contradicts their ideology, blame reality rather than modifying their mental map of the world. In other words, the facts are wrong, never their ideology.
On June 28, 2022 at 6:59 am, Fred said:
The writing of a constitution was not going well. At a loss, those at the convention sent for George Washington. The story goes that when he arrived he called for prayer upon which prayer to God by Christ was made at length. The writing of a constitution fell into place thereafter.
CNN isn’t American.
On June 28, 2022 at 9:17 am, HouseWolf said:
The Danbury Letter
To messers. Nehemiah Dodge, Ephraim Robbins, & Stephen S. Nelson, a committee of the Danbury Baptist association in the state of Connecticut.
Gentlemen
The affectionate sentiments of esteem and approbation which you are so good as to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist association, give me the highest satisfaction. my duties dictate a faithful and zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, & in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more and more pleasing.
Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should “make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” thus building a wall of separation between Church & State. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.
I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection & blessing of the common father and creator of man, and tender you for yourselves & your religious association, assurances of my high respect & esteem.
Th Jefferson Jan. 1. 1802.
It would have astounded Jefferson if he could have foreseen that the Supreme Court would make his letter the cornerstone of erecting a wall of separation between Church and State. Jefferson did not intend to have the letter be a centerpiece of Constitutional theory, but rather it was a partisan attempt by his to refute Federalist arguments that he was an infidel. In a brilliant essay, which may be read here, James Hutson, Chief of the Manuscript Division of the Library of Congress, explains the historical background of the letter
https://the-american-catholic.com/2013/06/02/jeffersons-danbury-letter-and-the-separation-of-church-and-state/