http://townhall.com/columnists/AnnCoulter/2009/12/02/do_smoking_guns_cause_global_warming,_too
I originally commented on Coulter’s column, but the response to my comments has been great. I needed more room to respond to everybody, so…
Original Comment
Ten Commandments
Why would a conservative be against removing the Ten Commandments from govt. property? “Separation of church and state” is a good thing, no? And I put it in quotes because I know that the Constitution states only that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” And people argue that a courthouse posting the Ten Commandments is not “Congress making a law.” But the Constitution also protects our other basic rights in much the same manner. “Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.” Yet we take this principle to heart, and to extreme lengths to protect these rights. Why not the same treatment of the principle of “separation of church and state?” One can boldly display the Ten Commandments in their church, or their home, or their business. Why must the govt. display it? This Christian sure wouldn’t want to go before a judge who has the Quran up on the wall. So why should there be any religious reference on the wall in a courthouse? It just doesn’t belong. How am I wrong on this?
A number responded, and I’ll summarize my retort here. Hopefully they will check back and be directed to this blog.
Sharon points out that the laws were based on the Ten Commandments. That may be. But we don’t have a law for each commandment. Think about it. And I don’t need the Ten Commandments in a courtroom to remind me of the law. I just need…I don’t know…the actual law as written, perhaps. I’m pretty sure they’re not teaching the Ten Commandments in law school. They teach the actual law.
Sharon also points out that Separation of church and state has been used by the leftists to break down freedoms of religion in order to push the liberal agenda. Why is Sharon not for the principle of Separation? The Constitution does include it, despite her assertion it doesn’t. It just doesn’t use those words. Congress shall enact no law establishing a religion. Well, plenty on here seem to think we should establish Christianity as law. Do you Sharon?
And, Sharon, what breakdown in freedom of religion have you seen? If the govt. simply avoids religion, how are you prevented from practicing your religion? What freedoms are you losing? Some misguided fools may ask you to say “Happy Holidays” but you don’t have to. Nor do our govt. workers. Christmas can still be on a calendar in a school. After all, it’s still Christmas. All these assaults you talk about are just the assaults from the ignorant, and the ignorant actually respond to them. That’s political correctness for you. But I’m talking about the pure principle of separation of church and state. Surely you must be for that. Surely you don’t want to see a Quran in a courtroom. If you don’t, then the best way to protect against it happening is to not have any religious displays in a courtroom. And must there be a Nativity scene on govt. property? Why can’t it be on your property…or at your church? Don’t be a hypocrite. Don’t try to make Christianity a protected class. Sharon…if the govt. stops with the Christian stuff…and any other religion for that matter…how is that going to turn you into a Communist? Don’t be silly.
To Jim, Christianity may be under assault, but only in the same way we all are due to “political correctness.” I’ll join you in defending Christianity from those that want to target it specficially but let slide other religious references. And I’m glad you brought up this topic, more do too…
”Libs in LaLa Land” says that absolute secularism has destroyed his homeland. Not sure which land that is. But who said anything about absolute secularism? I just want my govt. to be absolutely secular. Libs is still free to be as nonsecular as his heart desires.
Terry is asking that that we Americans must give-up our traditions, beliefs, customs, culture, morals, values and the American way of life. That’s simply not true. I don’t want to see the Ten Commandments in the courthouse where my fate is on the line, but that doesn’t stop anybody from doing whatever they want in their own life, home, church, business. If Terry gets his beliefs and customs and culture from what the govt. displays to him, God help us all.
Terry also thinks that we are a nation of Christians who welcome others to join us. That is one scary thought. We are a nation of complete religious tolerance. We have a lot of Christians. But that doesn’t mean we are a theocracy. Terry wants us to be just like Afghanistan, only with Christianity and a slightly more open mind to other faiths. Scary.
And therein lies my point. Terry scares the hell out of most Americans. Like I said…I may like discussing this on principle, but it’s not like I’m out there lobbying for us to remove the Ten Commandments. But when Ann is kicking some liberal butt in her columns, I fear she loses a big audience when she goes off on the Ten Commandments. Because she then sounds like Terry. I’m scared to death to ask Terry how he feels about gay marriage.
Rex
