Interesting defense?

[sfzombie13 324]

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if that's your excuse, fine. snicker.

I'm more curious how you think that displaying a document/symbols of a particular religion "in no way endorses" it.

You're not even going to concede that it shows some preference by the government?

yes, i put that in on purpose. the reason i used the 2d, and not the 4th amendment(illegal search), is that it is one of the most commonly known.

and, like i said, if they put up more than just the christialn and/or jewish symbols, then no it doesn't amount to endorsing any religion. like billvon said, it'll never happen.

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Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes

[rehmwa 2]

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if they put up more than just the christialn and/or jewish symbols

OK, now it's not just "another religions symbol" - now it has to be non-christion AND non-jewish. Christian represents many religions, Jewish is completely different. You just turned this into an anti-judeo/christian thing rather than just secularism in government.

I think communities can put up whatever symbols they want. It's their buildings. At this time, empty symbols and gestures mean nothing and it's not an issue until the government specifically requires all it's citizens to be Lutheran, for example.

"Endorsement" could mean:
higher taxes for non Lutherans
imprisonment for non Lutherans
etc

having some carvings on a building is no more 'endorsement' than having 'in god we trust' on money, or having prayers to open meetings, or even some local judge having a statue of Buddha on his desk, or having some politicians that go to church for their private life, or having a president base his moral code on his upbringing which includes religious training

just how far are some people going to let that reactionary swing take them? don't they have lives to live?

(I'm not religious at all and don't feel theatened in any way on this issue - the line isn't even close to being pushed at a national level - locally, well let the locals deal with petty little beaureaucrats how push it. If it REALLY gets pushed, then I'd push back. Right now, it's just a bunch of activists who get off on feeling outraged on insubstantive stuff)

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Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[sfzombie13 324]

you are clearly reading more into the reply than the words express. the reason i say not just christian/jewish symbols is because the 10 commandments are representatve of both religions. have you heard of a statue of buddha in a govt building? no, and i'm sure you won't. how about a pentacle? no again. when the govt displays any symbol of a religion, they need to be open minded about displaying symbols of all religions that are requested to be placed there. and another thing, since when is the govt correct in granting christmas and easter as holidays, when i damn sure can't get a paid day off to celebrate the solstices? that is clearly overstepping any bounds, but since the majority of the people are wrong in this country, it'll never happen and religious equality will never happen.

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Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes