Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof... |
| | The amazing religious diversity that Americans enjoy is no accident. Unlike other countries, which generally have official religions or extensive religious laws but limited religious lives, the Bill of Rights restricts American governments from any restriction or official endorsement of religion and promotes over fifteen hundred separate American religious organizations. Unlike many other countries, many Americans have rich personal religious lives but also practice tolerance for America's religious diversity. Although Freedom of Religion is often thought of as a "firm wall separating church and state," American governments actually have to walk the fine line between the free exercise and anti-establishment clauses of the First Amendment, which is very difficult and confusing in practice. Nonetheless, our treasured religious liberty can only continue by carefully protecting the right to practice religion while also guarding against official government endorsement. |
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Saturday, August 31, 2002 |
49%: "First Amendment Goes Too Far"
The annual State of the First Amendment survey, released on Thursday, had found that just under half of the Americans surveyed felt that the First Amendment guarantees too much freedom. The 49% figure, according to the center, is a ten percent jump since September 11. The survey found that between forty and fifty percent of Americans supported increased surveillance of religious groups, bar criticism of government actions, and monitor muslim citizens particularly closely. Forty percent also found the press too aggressive in questioning the government in the war on terror.
More information at the Sacramento Bee. The report is available for download. [Privacy Digest and Slashdot]
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Friday, August 23, 2002 |
Georgia School Board Requires Balance of Evolution and Bible
Although the evolution vs. "intelligent design" issue is in constant battle in public schools, in this case the proponents are only seeking to add disclaimers that students should approach evolution "critically." The Georgia chapter of the ACLU seeks to remove the disclaimers.
In a survey conducted by Lawrence Lerner of California State University in 2000, both Georgia and Maine were found to have seriously problematic education standards for evolution.
[New York Times: National]
4:19:43 PM
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Tuesday, August 13, 2002 |
Welcome to the Freedom of Religion page.
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© Copyright 2002 Lucas Burke.
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