On Sunday, December 7, 2003, at 09:48 AM, Craig Lalley wrote:

> --- fred White <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> Right on Bill!! Actually, I've never thought they should have a tax
>> exemption. I believe in freedom of religion, not in free religion.
>>
>> FW
>
> Fred,
>
> If you believe that then you don't believe in the Bill of Rights
> (Ammendments 1 - 10 of the constitution.)
>
> For your clarification:
>
> Ammendment 1 and I quote
>
> "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."

Craig,

Contrary to your assertion, I do believe in the Bill of Rights.

Remembering that the Bill of Rights was created on September 25, 1789
and ratified on December 15, 1791, it follows that the "free" in the
"free exercise thereof" phrase couldn't possibly have been referring to
"tax free" since US taxation didn't begin until the middle of the 19th
century, around the time of the Civil War.

Regards,

FW

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