The Constitution does not provide for a "separation of church and state".
What it does, is prevent the Congress from passing laws establishing an
official national religion and
banning the free practice of Religion.
It does nothing to stop religious people from exercising their right to hold
government offices or from petitioning the government in any way.

I have had this conversation with numerous people.  But no one has ever been
able to show me where there is a "separation of and state" provision.

Here's another point to stir it up a bit -

If we have a separation of church and state, then my being a member of a
Church removes me from Government control.  We are separate.

Jim Mc Coy

----- Original Message -----
From: Dave Darnell <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, February 01, 2001 2:26 PM
Subject: [HP3000-L] OT: Church and State


> OK, it seems to be a slow day on the list (people must be actually getting
> some work done.)  So, I thought (oops) that I would submit this statement
as
> a seed.
>
> "When the founding fathers talked of separation of church and state, they
> meant that no church as an organization should have any hand in the
> government, in contrast to European governments.  They did not intend for
> the practice of religion to be excluded from government activities or
> institutions. "
>
> Dave "stirring the pot" Darnell
>
>