Why "God's law" does not supersede "man's law" in this country.

[Deep13]

We all know about the 1st Amendment's separation of church and state. Here is Article VI which, for the purposes of this discussion, does two things. It makes the Constitution and laws created pursuant to it the supreme law of this country (and not the Bible or whatever) AND it makes sure no one has to swear to being a Christian or whatever to hold public office or position of trust (like being a soldier, for example). Such oaths were typical at the time.

Article VI - Debts, Supremacy, Oaths
All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.

This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.

This may be a majority Christian nation, but the government is secular. In addition, it should be noted that alone among "European" nations of the time, the USA had no ecclesiastical branch of government. In England, for example, churches had their own courts for ecclesiastical matters such as wills, trusts and guardianships and they kept the records for demographic information like births and deaths. In more pious nations, churches had greater civil power. In the USA, these matters are handled by civil probate courts and county or municipal officials.

[Uncle Joe]

1. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Deep.

[foxfeet]

2. And which God's law would that be, exactly?

[derby378]

4. Let's ask Ratzinger! Oh, wait...

:rofl:

[slackmaster]

9. Why would Cliff care?

[geardaddy]

12. Puke, Ratzenberger's a 'pub.

:puke:

[Deep13]

5. Any of them. But it's usually whatever Evangelicals say it is. nt

[LisaM]

3. Supersede. n/t

[Deep13]

6. dammit

x( Thanks for keeping me infromed.

[LisaM]

7. My family's idea of a fun dinner was to quiz us on spelling

This one always leaps out at me because it was on a list of 10 most misspelled words. I remember my grandparents finding that list and thinking that it comprised entertainment to quiz their (young) granddaughters from that list! Good times.

[Deep13]

8. kick for the p.m. crowd, nt

[librechik]

10. Proud Sixther here!

can't say it any plainer or clearer than the Founders: Get your damn religion out of my Constitutional Rights!

[Deep13]

11. Right. Especially since their right to their religion is only possible...

...because of our secular government. There is no freedom of religion in a theocratic society.