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Old 01-24-2003, 02:46 PM   #30
russotto
Professor
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,788
Quote:
Originally posted by wolf

For the record, America, like it or not, is a Christian nation, founded on Christian and biblical principles (remember that bit about being "endowed by God with certain inalienable rights?). The establishment clause is about establishment of a STATE religion (which is why many of the early settlers left Europe) rather than a total divorce of religion from gov't, commerce, personal interaction etc.
"endowed by their Creator".

The establishment clause is a lot stronger than preventing establishment of a state religion. It prevents any law "respecting" an establishment of religion. Along with the free exercise clause, it pretty much does demand that the government remain secular.
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