MiThoughts on the First Amendment (Separation of Church and State)

The First Amendment in the United States Constitution states that,

“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 to peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

There are (obviously), different opinions on the meaning of this amendment. Some think it means religion has no place in government because of “Separation of Church and State” doctrine. Others say that there is no real separation of church and state anywhere, in the Constitution.

A question then arises,

“Where in the world did separation of church and state come from anyway?”

To answer that question, we have to go back to the 19th century, during Thomas Jefferson’s term as president. The Danbury Baptists (a minority denomination in Connecticut) had written Jefferson about their concern over religious rights. The president wrote back to them, and you can read the transcript of Jefferson’s letter below:


Mr. President

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 & 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 & zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, and in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more & 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, and 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 and 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 and blessing of the common Father and creator of man, and tender you for yourselves and your religious association, assurances of my high respect & esteem.

Thomas Jefferson
Jan.1.1802.

(Source: http://www.newgenevacenter.org/06_Historical-Documents/1802_Jefferson's-'Wall-of-Separation'-Letter.html)



That, ladies and Gentleman, is where the term “Separation of Church and State” originated. To make a long story short, Jefferson’s letter (or rather that specific section of the letter) is used to justify the efforts to remove any and all expressions of religion from essentially every aspect of government.
So what do I think? What are MiThoughts on the issue?

I do believe that the first Amendment creates a “wall of separation” between Church and State.

Now, before you start jumping to conclusions, allow me to explain what I mean: The First Amendment CLEARLY STATES that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

SOOOO…the Constitution CLEARLY forbids Congress to make any law that concerns an establishment of religion… I believe that the constitution has separated congress from affecting and influencing religion. But I won’t get into what an “establishment of religion” means. SO MANY other people are concerned with that, and there are so many wonderful debates on the subject.

I want to touch on a DIFFERENT aspect of the amendment, specifically the part that says CONGRESS SHALL MAKE NO LAW…

Does the First Amendment say that THE PRESIDENT is expressly forbidden to be religious or to express his religious beliefs? Does it say that a STATE SUPREME COURT may not have the Ten Commandments on display? Does it say that SCHOOLS are forbidden to have prayer, or to express religion in any way?

Does it mention ANYTHING other than forbidding CONGRESS to make a LAW?


I have not heard many people asking these questions, and I think it is high time somebody did!


The fact is, the Constitution does NOT say anything other than Congress shall make no LAW… or prohibit the free exercise thereof.

Don’t be caught up by asking the wrong questions, or letting someone trick you into answering the wrong questions….


The mind of El Pensador doesn’t work that way, and neither should yours.


Rock on, America!

Big Government's Favorite Game: Toying with State Powers

In my State, Local, and Community Politics  class in college, we have been discussing the issue of Federalism, defined by Britannica Online Encyclopedia as the "mode of political organization that unites separate states or other polities within an overarching political system in such a way as to allow each to maintain its own fundamental political integrity."

The discussion was on the federal governments usurption of state powers. Our assignment was to address the issue and say whether or not we agreed with this usurption of power.

The fact is that the government has been usurping state powers not only just recently, but for a very long time. Using different and often inventive ways (such as the "Necessary and proper" clause in the Constitution, and pressure via federal funding to states), and they really don't seem to care.

Why should they? What is so important about the the 10th Amendment anyway?
....Do you think some of the people in Washington have really ever actually read it? If so, they probablycould careless.

The problem with the tenth amendment is that it is inconvenient for big government.
It tells us that "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."

So... if the Constitution doesn't give the federal goverment cerain powers, then those powers should be reserved to the states. It's that simple.


The problem is...It ISN'T that simple to Washington these days, who apperently think that all the powers of the world should be given to the government.

So now, my question is: What do you think about this issue?
Do you think that the federal government should be able to go over the states
 powers whenever it is deemed to be "necessary and proper" (or even when it is not)? Do you think this is a serious problem?

Post your answers below and let your voice be heard!

ROCK ON AMERICA!

China: "America works for us" Campaign Ad

I first saw this ad when I was in Arkansas, campaigning for Tim Griffin. It's definitely worth watching!

My Experience in the 2010 Elections: Tim Griffin for Congress

I'm back!

I was away for a while working on a campaign, but my "little vacation" is now over. We were holding a Student Project (a student volunteer, grass-roots campaiging event) for Tim Griffin (latest campaign ad below), who was running for U.S. Congress in Arkansas, in the 2nd Congressional District, and it was our job to help get this man elected.

His opponent was Joyce Elliott, AR state senator.... (I would show the video of her latest ad, but it has been debunked by so many entities that I might get in trouble for spreading lies if I posted it.) 

It was a long and hard race, and I was glad to be able to help during election week. Tim Grifin is a solid candidate, and he had a ROCK SOLID campaign. It was an "honor and pleasure to campaign for him" (That "quote" was from a rap that two of the students working on the Student Project created...I will have to figure out a way to get it on the blog. Stay posted!)

There were many mountains to climb for Tim Griffin, not to mention the fact that he was running in a district that had not been won by a republican in decades!

They walked for hours, going door to door, and getting the word out about Tim Griffin and his message. They made thousands of calls everyday. They gave everything they had inside to help put Tim into office. We knew the importance of this race, and we did what we could to win.

Our efforts were not in vain. Tim Griffin won by over twenty points. We helped to make a difference in AR, and in America.

But we still have to make sure that the candidates we put into office PRACTICE WHAT THEY PREACH. Hold them to their word, keep them on their toes.

Take a stand, and make sure that they take a stand for you.

ROCK ON AMERICA!

Mithoughts on the November 2010 Elections

As we come nearer election week, everyone has a very important question on their minds:

What do I think about the upcoming elections?

…Okay, maybe not.

But regardless of your deepest
thoughts on the subject, I am going to tell you my thoughts on these November 2010 Elections, but with my usual El Pensador twist. I am going to give the hecklers a hard time, and the apathetic non-voters a "Shame on you!"


If we EVER hope to "Take Back America" from the leftist ideology, with all its lovely socialism and miraculous "share the wealth via distribution from the few to the masses" philosophy, we MUST take a stand this November!


For far too long we have sat by and let the progressives take away our nation progressively (ironic isn't it?). It's time we stand up and fight to take it back. There is FAR TOO MUCH at stake, and there is far too much to lose by doing nothing. This could very well be the most important election our nation has faced. We are at a very critical point, and if we sit by this time, the results could be disastrous.


But let me give a word of warning to those who DO sit by, and think it not a big dealas well
those who
don't think there is a good enough candidate for them. SHAME ON YOU!!!


There will NEVER be a perfect candidate. After all, Jesus doesn't run for office; it's sad, but true. If you are looking for a perfect candidate, who lines up perfectly with EVERY SINGLE ISSUE you have, you are in for disappointment almost every single time. And if you think that, because a candidate might not be "perfect," you just won't support them, then you are just like the conservatives who stayed home in '08, when we lost the Congress to the liberals.


THE CONSERVATIVES are the reason that "ObamaCare," "The Obama Stimulus Plan," and the "MACHO DEFICIT" exist today, because they stood by and did NOTHING! Don't blame the liberals—it's OUR FAULT.


Now let me clarify something before you all get uptight: we shouldtake a stand for the best (or at least better) candidate, and we should be careful who we support in elections. But at the same time, if there is an obvious (or at least somewhat significant) difference between two candidates, you have to vote for SOMEONE. Maybe you only have a choice between "the lesser of two evils," and maybe neither of them is really the best for our nation. But ONE OF THEM IS GOING TO WIN REGARDLESS,so you must make a choice.


You may not like it, but it still stands true: someone is going to win, so you might as well try to help out the better candidate. Yes, we should stand for high ideals, but at the same time, we can't sit by with a righteous smug, and let our nation fall into ruin.
One more thing to keep in mind:
If your candidate wins, keep him accountable! Make sure he or she actually does what he promises, and practices what he preaches during his campaign. If they don't, KICK 'EM OUT, and replace that candidate in the next election with someone who WILL!


That's all for now…Just remember how important this November is! TAKE A STAND—BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!


*Rock on America!*

Quote of the Day: James A. Garfield

"The people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the poeple tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature."
- President James Garfield


............Makes sense don't you think?

Big Government's Theme Song ("The Government Can" By Tim Hawkins)

The government can and DOES...All with a patronizing smile.