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Originally Posted by J. T. Toad
Point well noted Steve, but, from what I have seen, policy implementation has been more geared to the destruction of Christianity theology, than a balanced incorporation of differing religious policies.
Is it right that charter schools of Wiccan and Islamic influence receive tax revenue under the guise of tolerance, while funding is pulled from schools with a Chrisitian basis?
If I were to accept your "constitutional stance" Wouldn't this then need to extend to all branches of government? (National Cathedral, Police Chaplin, all forms of military, the prison system, current forms of all government (federal down to state down to local), etc. this list could get very very long) The implications are fearsome.
Regardless of a religious basis, there are many taxes collected and paid out for institutions which many individuals find unworthy.
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JT,
I think Christians in this country already have too much that belongs to the public, so the perception is that they are having more taken away from them when they are made to be the equal of other religions.
Remember E Pluribus Unum? Our money didn't always say 'in god we trust'. The Pledge of Allegiance did not always say 'under god' either. Would you feel attacked as a Christian if we went back to the old motto or the original pledge? I am sure that millions of Christians would be really bent out of shape if we did that, despite the fact that both of those 'god' additions are pretty recent things. They would say it was an attack on their religion, rather than viewing it as having a nice free advertisement for theiri religion for 50 years or so.
I don';t know of any Wiccan or Islamic schools in the US that get any tax revenue. Please let me know which ones. And no, they should not get anything either.
If the government gives any sort of support to one religion it needs to do the same for all religions. The DoD recently approved Wiccan grave markers for soldiers. And there are chaplains of multiple faiths in order to support troops, police, and so on. That fits much better with the establishment clause as no favourites are being played.
And yes, our taxes go to a LOT of unworthy causes, but most of them are not specifically spelled out on the Constitution.