O'Reilly's War on Xmas = Owned

[Abbey Normal]

The first amendment doesn't protect people from being offended.

It does, however, prevent an establishment of religion.

Calling it a Christmas tree and putting it in the town square does not establish a gov't religion. That is a Grand Canyon-sized illogical leap. Just who is forcing anyone to pray or worship God?

And just in case looking at a tree or a statue makes anyone feel compelled to fall on their knees and worship the Christian God, here's a helpful hint: just walk on by. And I'll be nice and turn off my TV.

 

[Abbey Normal]

Abby's my friend. I was just looking out for her. Big brother syndrome.

 

[no1tovote4]

The constitution overrides any local law, or action by a local government.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preemption_of_state_and_local_laws_in_the_United_States

The Constitution limits congress from making laws, it does not gaurantee that you will not see Christmas trees on public land, nor nativities.

 

[ScreamingEagle]

The first amendment doesn't protect people from being offended.

It does, however, prevent an establishment of religion.

Exactly how do you think a religion is established?
By displaying a Christmas tree and a Nativity scene for a few days?
If it were only so easy.... :halo: <---lordy! did this religious symbol establish religion in you??

 

[rtwngAvngr]

Max. You're an idiot. It's " congress shall pass no law regarding the establishment of religion". That means precisely religions CAN be established, and government CANNOT force you to practice one if you don't want to.

 

[no1tovote4]

:halo: <---lordy! did this religious symbol establish religion in you??

No, but according to recent theory it has established the religion of USMB....

 

[Bonnie]

Exactly how do you think a religion is established?
By displaying a Christmas tree and a Nativity scene for a few days?
If it were only so easy.... :halo: <---lordy! did this religious symbol establish religion in you??

That's exactly what Im wondering?

 

[ScreamingEagle]

No, but according to recent theory it has established the religion of USMB....

Where is the ACLU when you need them?! For pete's sake (or Max's) this is a public forum!

 

[no1tovote4]

Crap, I think I just established Islamofascism as the official religion of USMB!

 

[ScreamingEagle]

Crap, I think I just established Islamofascism as the official religion of USMB!

How so? Anyhoo, Max is probably down with that...libs are OK with Islam in the schools....

 

[no1tovote4]

How so? Anyhoo, Max is probably OK with that...

Isn't somebody setting off themselves as a bomb the official symbol of Islamofascism?

 

[Bonnie]

Isn't somebody setting off themselves as a bomb the official symbol of Islamofascism?

You have a point there!!

 

[ScreamingEagle]

Isn't somebody setting off themselves as a bomb the official symbol of Islamofascism?

Could be!

Does that mean we are all going to become Muslims because this public place is displaying Islamofascist symbols?

 

[Bonnie]

How so? Anyhoo, Max is probably down with that...libs are OK with Islam in the schools....

ABC= Anything But Christianity

 

[Max Power]

The Constitution limits congress from making laws, it does not gaurantee that you will not see Christmas trees on public land, nor nativities.

Local governments in the U.S. cannot violate the Constitution, therefore not only is the congress limited from making laws, but every government establishment within the U.S., so yes, it does guarantee that you SHOULD not see any religious displays on public land.

Exactly how do you think a religion is established?
By displaying a Christmas tree and a Nativity scene for a few days?
If it were only so easy.... :halo: <---lordy! did this religious symbol establish religion in you??

It really depends. Sometimes, a tree is just a tree (or a tree with lights). I don't think the same can be said for a nativity scene.

 

[Max Power]

Max. You're an idiot. It's " congress shall pass no law regarding the establishment of religion". That means precisely religions CAN be established, and government CANNOT force you to practice one if you don't want to.

Umm, that's not what it means. It means that religions cannot be established BY the government (federal or local).
That is the establishment clause.

You're thinking of the free exercise clause
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;

So, to sum up, religion cannot be established by the government.

 

[Max Power]

Where is the ACLU when you need them?! For pete's sake (or Max's) this is a public forum!

Actually, it's not.

 

[Max Power]

How so? Anyhoo, Max is probably down with that...libs are OK with Islam in the schools....

So, you think PUBLIC displays of religion on PUBLIC property are comparable to PRIVATE religious practices?

 

[Bonnie]

Max..It really depends. Sometimes, a tree is just a tree (or a tree with lights). I don't think the same can be said for a nativity scene.

Max I really do get the argument that if a municipality puts up a nativity then they must also put up a Manurah, and then a Kuran, etc and then where does it end? But to me that alternative is much more in keeping with freedom of religious expression than this maddening and ridiculous concept of banning anything that even remotely carries the mark of religion to someone.

 

[Max Power]

Max I really do get the argument that if a municipality puts up a nativity then they must also put up a Manurah, and then a Kuran, etc and then where does it end? But to me that alternative is much more in keeping with freedom of religious expression than this maddening and ridiculous concept of banning anything that even remotely carries the mark of religion to someone.

It's only banned on public land, though. There's nobody stopping churches from putting up such a display, or people on their own lawns.

It's not an infringement on religious expression to ban it on public property, any more than it would be an infringement on your freedom of speech if I asked you to leave my house because you said something offensive.