Thoughts in a Haystack

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Today is the 60th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision in Everson v. Board of Education, the case that has been convincingly said to be the event that kicked off the Culture Wars. Justice Hugo Black wrote an eloquent explanation of what the Establishment Clause means that I found could be cast into 10 rules for a secular government. So here, fully suitable for placement in government offices and courts, are the:

10 Commandments of the Separation of Church and State:

1. Neither a state nor the Federal Government can set up a church.

2. Neither a state nor the Federal Government can pass laws which aid one religion, aid all religions, or prefer one religion over another.

3. Neither a state nor the Federal Government can force nor influence a person to go to or to remain away from church against his will.

4. Neither a state nor the Federal Government can force a person to profess a belief or disbelief in any religion.

5. No person can be punished for entertaining or professing religious beliefs.

6. No person can be punished for entertaining or professing religious disbeliefs.

7. No person can be punished for church attendance or non-attendance.

8. No tax in any amount, large or small, can be levied to support any religious activities or institutions, whatever they may be called, or whatever form they may adopt to teach or practice religion.

9. Neither a state nor the Federal Government can, openly or secretly, participate in the affairs of any religious organizations or groups.

10. No religious organizations or groups can, openly or secretly, participate in the affairs of a state or the Federal Government.

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Link - Posted by John Pieret @ 12:02 AM