Items of historical note -

http://www.tncrimlaw.com/civil_bible/hebrew_congregation.htm

George Washingtons letter to Torou Synagogue

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http://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/9806/danpre.html

Jeffersons letter to the Danbury Baptists.
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It is quite clear that Founding Generation intended to found a secular state, as only a secular state can grant equal liberty and freedom of conscience. The Constitution does not define the word religion, so we must, as the SCOTUS has, look to the public writings of the men of the age to ascertain precisely what was intended by Constitutional wording.

I will say as well however, that some legal advocacy groups such as the ACLU ( which I tend to agree with on most issues but not this one ) do go too far in their attempts to banish imagery or trappings of religion from public life.

It seems self evident that the Founders never intended to banish Christmas Trees from the public square; but rather that Wiccans and Jews and others have equal rights to display and practice the tenets of their own faith and place a menorah or shrine next to the Xmas Tree in that same public square.


For who could be free when every other man's humour might domineer over him? - John Locke (2nd Treatise, sect 57)