[Vision2020] Public prayer on public money

[Donovan Arnold]

Mr. Hansen,

Sorry, but praying does not establish a religion
anymore than saying the Pledge of Allegiance to the
flag establishes a religion. Both our money and our
pledge define us as a monotheistic nation with the use
of "God" instead of "Gods". Should we stop saying the
Pledge of Allegiance before meetings too Mr. Hansen?

Donovan J Arnold



--- Tom Hansen <thansen at moscow.com> wrote:

> No, no, no, Arnold -
> 
> "Establishment", according to the Supreme Court of
> the United States
> (SCOTUS), concerns the recognition of any one faith
> above all others.  I
> draw your attention to Thomas Jefferson's "Wall of
> Separation" which has
> been cited in several SCOTUS opinions (pronounced
> "decisions") and discussed
> here in V2020 extensively.
> 
> By praying, the city council does just that.
> 
> Comprende?
> 
> Tom Hansen
> Moscow, Idaho
> 
> "I think one of the best ways to support education
> is to make successful
> private schools like Logos prosper through tax
> exemption."
> 
> - Donovan Arnold (July 11, 2005)
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> 
> From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com
> [mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com]
> On Behalf Of Donovan Arnold
> Sent: Tuesday, August 16, 2005 10:05 PM
> To: joanopyr at earthlink.net; vision2020 at moscow.com
> Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Public prayer on public
> money
> 
> Saying a prayer before a public meeting is not an
> establishment of religion. Establishment of religion
> is when the government, king, dictator, etc.
> supports,
> funds and defines a religion as the official
> religion
> of a nation or state. In the past, the government
> would often give special privilege to those that
> practiced that official established religion. In
> some
> cases, people were killed or persecuted for not
> following the faith as prescribed by the government.
> This is what the establishment of religion means,
> and
> what was meant when the forefathers wrote the
> Constitution. How do we know? Because US Congress
> has
> always had prayer before business. So people can
> twist
> it all they want, but it was not meant to prevent
> prayer before a public meeting.
> 
> It is not true to say the 1st amendment was designed
> to prevent public prayer. Nor is saying a prayer
> establishment of a religion. God is on our money and
> in our pledge and those that try to remove it are
> just
> idiots with obvious nothing better to do than bitch
> and complain and force themselves on everyone else.
> It
> is my belief that a few people are trying to prevent
> me and others from practicing our religion and
> prayer.
> Those that do this are forcing their beliefs on me
> and
> 95% of those that wish to worship and appreciate
> what
> God has given them. If you do not want to pray,
> DON'T
> PRAY, nobody is forcing you to, but do not prevent
> the
> rest of us from doing so.
> 
> Donovan J Arnold
> 
> 
> 
> 


		
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