Separation of Church and State: The Greatest American Myth

[Keith Bee]

It has never existed in this country, and probably never will.

The following is merely the latest piece of evidence:



http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/04/05/liberty_university_federal_money/index.html

Liberty University, the evangelical private Christian school founded by dead apartheid-supporting bigot Jerry Falwell, received $445 million in federal financial aid last year. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, by the way, received $420 million from the federal government.

That massive sum was thanks to the growth of Liberty's online program, which enrolled 52,000 students last year. The school is the No. 1 recipient of Pell grant money in the state of Virginia. While it may seem like the federal government is basically subsidizing this formerly financially challenged ultra-conservative religious private school, LU's executive director of financial aid sees it differently:

For Robert Ritz — a financial aid veteran who got his start at a small Bible college — Liberty’s use of federal financial aid does not run counter to the university’s conservative values. Liberty does not receive the federal money directly, Ritz said, but through students, who use it to pay for tuition, room and board and other expenses.

“These funds are authorized by Congress and Congress is elected by voters. . . I’ve always been in the position where I believe I’m a steward of those federal funds. I’m a steward of tax-payer money.”

[Keith Bee]

1. Rs without Ks?

NOOOOOOOOOOOO! :cry:

[Obamanaut]

2. When a school, any school, receives money from students who are

receiving Pell grants (for example), how can we say the government is establishing a religion?

[robcon]

3. The OP is nonsense.

The establishment clause is well-accepted and followed in the U.S.

There are numerous people and organizations keeping the clause enforced.

[Keith Bee]

5. And "Redskins" is racist

What really perplexes me is the fact that they used to be called the "Braves," which is considerably less offensive. If I were Danny Boy Snyder, the worst owner of any pro sports franchise, I'd try to score some PR/PC points by changing the name yet again.

[Taitertots]

8. The establishment clause originally only applied to congress

Any groups were open to establish their own religions. Having an established religion was totally legal well into the 20th century.

[Ian David]

4. If you want to live in a country run by Religion, then move to Iran. n/t

[Keith Bee]

6. Terribly sorry: Did you think I was ADVOCATING theocracy?

I assure you I was not.

[Ian David]

7. Oh, good. n/t