Good News!: Most Americans Reject Religious Right’s View Of Constitution

[Adsos Letter]

Source: The Wall of Separation
July 15th, 2011
By Joseph L. Conn

The right-wing Alliance Defense Fund sent out a fundraising email this week that sounded a familiar Religious Right theme.

“You’ve likely heard the phrase: ‘the separation of church and state,’” it said. “But did you know it’s NOT in the U.S. Constitution? The phrase has been misused by opponents of the Gospel IN OUR OWN COURTS to erode your freedom. It’s a distortion of what the First Amendment intended.”

Showing a picture of a cross smashed by a judicial gavel, the ADF asked for donations to fight “the ACLU and its allies” – that would be us – who “have twisted history by using the so-called ‘separation of church and state’ as a legal platform to restrict your religious freedom.”

For 30 years, Religious Right propagandists have preached this misguided gospel. And I’m sorry to say that some unwary Americans have bought into the lie.

http://blog.au.org/2011/07/15/good-news-most-americans-reject-religious-right%E2%80%99s-view-of-constitution/?utm_source=au-homepage&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Recently-on-homepage
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While it is good news that a majority of Americans still believe in Church/State separation, most DUer's recognize that it is the rulings of the Supreme Court which matter most. Another reason to try to identify and elect Progressive politicians, for both the nomination, and the affirmation process.

Edit: spelling... :dunce:

[babylonsister]

1. Asked whether “the First Amendment requires a clear separation of church and state,”

This is from the OP's article: good news indeed! :hi: Recommend!


Asked whether “the First Amendment requires a clear separation of church and state,” 67 percent of respondents said yes (with 48 percent “strongly” agreeing). Only 28 percent disagreed (with just 17 percent saying they “strongly” disagree).

Now, I’ll be the first to say that I wish the affirmation number was even higher. But it’s a good thing that two-thirds of Americans recognize that our Constitution provides for a “clear separation” between religion and government.

[jwirr]

2. Agreed. Without that phrase and what it stands for this nation would

end up just like the Europe most of our ancestor immigrated from - fighting one war after another over which religion we were going to be. Those wars are the reason we have freedom of religion and separation of church and state in this country. Our founding fathers recognized what a divisive element religion can be and proceeded to insure that it did not happen here. Unfortunately they did not count on the future right wing churches and their tbaggers.

[Adsos Letter]

3. I wish the numbers were higher also, babylonsis...

but I was happy to see how high they were! I would be interested to know how the 28 percent who disagreed (not "strongly") interpreted the question.

:D :hi: :hug:

EDIT: The Religious Right group cited in the article characterizes advocates of Church/State separation as "opponents of the Gospel." They should realize that the president of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Barry Lynn, is an ordained Baptist minister; the Seventh Day Adventist Church is one of the staunchest Protestant denominations supporting a "Church/State separation" understanding of the First Amendment. Neither would be considered "opponents of the Gospel" in any way, shape or form.

[fascisthunter]

4. They've always been in the Minority

they have used money, radio and tv to inflate their relevance. Everything about them is a crock of shit.

[Adsos Letter]

5. All you say is true; it's that "minority group," the Supreme Court, which is crucial.

[Adsos Letter]

6. The Religious Right group cited in the article

characterizes advocates of Church/State separation as "opponents of the Gospel." They should realize that the president of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Barry Lynn, is an ordained Baptist minister; the Seventh Day Adventist Church is one of the staunchest Protestant denominations supporting a "Church/State separation" understanding of the First Amendment. Neither would be considered "opponents of the Gospel" in any way, shape or form.

Once again the Religious Right mischaracterizes their opponents. It would be more accurate to characterize their opponents as defenders of the Constitution, whether religious or not.

EDIT: added "whether religious or not" to the final sentence.