Reply #18: Interesting [View All]

I'm not sure what to make of this. First point I would like to make is that while "separation of church and state" is not in the constitution, it is in a letter written by Jefferson to the Danbury Baptist Church. Most assuredly not in use 165 years after the Constitution was written. "Prominent usage" looks like weasel words to get out of it. As far as not being "a Christian Nation" that is in the Treaty of Tripoli by Madison. And the Declaration of Independence is not a legal document.

I recommend the "Age of Reason" by Thomas Paine. As well as the Jeffersonian bible. The Jeffersonian bible is basically the Gospels with any supernatural events cut out. I must admit I haven't read that, but that is basically what it is.

As for the Washington quote: "It is impossible to account for the creation of the universe without the agency of a Supreme Being. It is impossible to govern the universe without the aid of a Supreme Being. It is impossible to reason wihout arriving at a Supreme Being."

I haven't taken a look to see if it is accurate or not, but this is basically an argument from authority. Washington never had the benefit of knowledge of Cosmic Background Radiation or images from the Hubble Space Telescope. Perhaps he would think differently about that. From what I've read, Washington was most likely a Deist, as were many of the Founding Fathers.

Well, this has been a Vodka fueled rant. be sure to check out http://www.infidels.org there's a lot of information regarding Church/State separation.