Today's decision:

The Supreme Court Just Blew A Gaping Hole In The Wall Of Separation Between Church And State | ThinkProgress

The endorsement of a religion by the state is not a problem according to this decision. I'm curious about Thomas' view described near the end of the article. He holds that the separation of Church/State applies to the federal government and not the states. This seems to have been the case at one time since many State constitutions had religious requirements for office holders or bans on certain religious or non-religious believers from holding office. Any of the lawyers here know the history of decisions on this topic and when/why individual states began to separate religion and state? Why does Scalia not agree with Thomas on this issue.

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1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

The gov can't force the citizens to believe or disbelieve. Or the free exercise thereof.

The amusing thing will be when Satan worshipping priests and Muslim Imams demand equal time.

Looks like part of the issue of individual states not being required to separate church and state was decided in 1961, but in such a way that Thomas' opinion is not out of the question.

Torcaso v. Watkins - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Hopefully soon.

- Peter.

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1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

The founding fathers had seen the Church of England having government support, essentially forcing people to that church or none at all. They did not want to see this happen here. Therefore the idea was to protect the church from the government NOT the other way around. I'm sorry if the SCOTUS saw it that way this morning against your own personal desires. That pesky constitution again.

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2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution

Up until after the civil war the capital rotunda was used for church services.....was no issue then, why now?

You're asking that, with no regard to American history and power before the 20th Century, really?

Women did not have the right to vote till 1920. Why not before? Blacks were not treated equally under the law till 1964. Why not before?

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2014 C250 21,XXX my new DD ** 2013 GLK 350 18,000 Wife's new DD**

- With out god, life is everything.
- God is an ever receding pocket of scientific ignorance that's getting smaller and smaller as time moves on..." Neil DeGrasse Tyson
- You can pray for me, I'll think for you.
- When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.

The capital dome was finished in 1866. So that seems to make it impossible for church services to have been held there prior to the civil war up to 1866.

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..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Because the heathens have started denying the validity of the constitution.

__________________
2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution

I'm making the popcorn: butter or not?

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Sent from an agnostic abacus

2014 C250 21,XXX my new DD ** 2013 GLK 350 18,000 Wife's new DD**

- With out god, life is everything.
- God is an ever receding pocket of scientific ignorance that's getting smaller and smaller as time moves on..." Neil DeGrasse Tyson
- You can pray for me, I'll think for you.
- When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.

You counting Scalia amongst those heathen since he doesn't allow individual states to establish religion the way Thomas thinks they should be permitted to?

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

When the country was founded many states had requirements that anyone connected to the government had to be also connected to a religious faith. That faith was spelled out as Quaker, Episcopalian, etc.... Some states even wondered if they wanted to join in this thing known as 'The United States' because did they really want to unite with them totally? Or would a Confederation be better?

But what consisted of the Federal government decided to not play that game so for the Feds freedom of religion or from religion or whatever was the way they decided to go forward. Sending folks to DC? They can leave their brand of religion at the city limits since the Federal government was all business.

Not to say that leadership from religion was frowned upon. When you have something that works you are crazy not to stick with it, but even though a number of religious leaders fought to have their brand of religion made the main one Jefferson told them all to forget it. The US had just fought a war to get rid of the King and his Church of England's power. If you wanted to continue to attend the Church of England that was up to you, but the King stuff was gone and not coming back regardless of your religions thoughts.

Just because a government meeting opens with a prayer is not an endorsement of a religion. Our town, as well as many others, opens city council meetings with a prayer because they always have. If you were to suggest they were endorsing religion they would think you were nuts.

Please see previous post.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.