Separation Anxiety

Do you understand "separation of church and state", do you know where it is found and why it was said? It is NOT in the constitution I will tell you that much. 

I think most people agree with separation of church and state, the problem is that like most things, the devils in the details. People don't always agree with exactly what this means or to what extent.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances


There is the first amendment. Where does it say separation of Church State? It doesn't It protects us from one religion being the legal religion. Church of England anyone? So tell me why the HHS Mandate is constitutional? As it forbids the practice of religion. Our religion tell us to help all who is in need. You don't have to show your Catholic card and we don't try to convert. Also here's one why is a non life giving pills and practises free? but not the life giving? Can anyone explain that?

So tell me why the HHS Mandate is constitutional? As it forbids the practice of religion.

How does your Presbyterian doctor using birth control prohibit your practice of your religion?

Some key words here establishing a religion. Such as in the days of old when King or Queen of England would be Catholic and would force people to denounce their faith and become Catholic or death, or Protestant and insist to be Protestant or else.  it is under those types of circumstances that the government shall not establish a religion. 

So we are also not allowed to redress the Government over a grievance? We aren't allowed to practise our religion, by helping others? You all would rather that Hospitals, Woman's health care centers. Houses that help women in crises pregnancies, St.Vincent De Paul stores and centers close? Doctors no longer practise? Business owners shut their doors. Publishing houses also? These are all things that are under attack. Take your ABC don't ask us to pay for it or prescribe it. And stick to what the First Amendment says allow us the freedom to exercise what we believe. Helping those who have no where else to go.

So we are also not allowed to redress the Government over a grievance? We aren't allowed to practise our religion, by helping others?

Yes, you are allowed to complain. Yes you are allowed to practice your religion. What you are not allowed to do is force employees of a commercial business to follow the tenets of your religion simply because your church is a major stockholder in the commercial business where they are employed. If a LDS temple bought controlling interest in your employer, would you agree to no caffiene, not even in medicine where it's an active ingredient, or lose your job if you have ti with you? If a JW temple bought controlling interest, would you agree to being forced to pay for insurance that would not cover blood transfusions if your child needed one?

Bottom line - your church is making an unreasonable and unconstitutional request to receive special treatment above and beyond the rights of everyone else in the country. Why do you not see it for the selfishness that it is?

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion..."

So I've always been confused. How is it constitutional for the government to make any laws that have anything to do with religion? Like, say, giving tax exempt status to businesses run by religious organizations. Why does the religion of the people running the business matter? It's a business. How is that consideration even constitutional?

And yeah, I think we all know that the actual term "separation of church and state" isn't exactly in the constitution... it just came from one of the writers of the Constitution (Jefferson) when he was trying to explain what they meant by the religion part of the first amendment.