Gator Freethought Members Publish Views on Church-State

After the LTE I mentioned was published on 2/9, set directly above an LTE from the diametrically-opposed view by Ashley Emans, we got some feedback from other students. She didn't present much of an argument, nor a particularly cogent case, merely declaiming more platitudes about the "Christian Nation" and the "myth of church-state separation". Here are some responses to her letter, and I'm posting the original full-text of GF member Stacey Kroto's letter below the fold (the edits and redactions made it a bit less coherent):

Constitution protects religious freedom by STACEY KROTO
Founders supported limited government by LOGAN PYLE
Christians not necessarily most moral by REBECCA WHITLEY
Separation of church, state not a myth by CODY SAMET-SHAW
First Amendment protects all religions by JAY JACKSON

I'm always ecstatic to see these issues brought to the light and students voicing their opinions in support of the Constitution. It is high-time we redouble efforts for consciousness-raising regarding this integral issue to our society's future. Here is Stacey's original:

In response to Ashley Emans' letter of Friday, the constitution allows for freedom of religion, not freedom from religion. This is where Americans get mixed up in this debate about the separation of church and state. This means there will be no state-sponsored religion – like the Church of England. It doesn't mean religion is going to disappear from the public eye, that's a bit unrealistic.

This country has always elected Christians into presidential office – but does this have anything to do with ideology? The answer is - not likely. Christian beliefs are based upon Judaic beliefs and I feel confident in saying that I do not see a Jew being elected as president of the U.S. anytime soon, if not ever in my lifetime. Therefore we come back to a Christian thing, not an ideology/morality thing.

This nation does not need a Christian in office to be a moral government – I found this comment of Emans' insulting and frankly, ridiculous. She must be a member of the group of people who thought Rep. Keith Ellison should be sworn into office on a bible regardless of the fact that he is Muslim. This is not a Christian nation - regardless of how badly some want it to be. Trying to put religion back into government is not healthy for our nation's growth.

I'm proud of her, and all of them :-)
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Technorati tags: Religion, Church-state, Politics