Minneapolis OKs dawn Muslim prayer call, 1st for big US city

[MineralMan]

23. The establishment clause prevents the government from

creating a state religion and discriminating against other religions. That has nothing to do with a Mosque calling people to worship in its traditional way. It also has nothing to do with bells ringing in churches or people preaching in the public square.

Hearing a bell or call to prayer does not infringe on your right to worship in your own way or have no religious beliefs at all.

I believe that people should be able to believe any damned thing they're able to believe, as long as they don't insist that I believe as they do. That's also in the First Amendment, along with the anti-establishment clause. You have to have the whole thing. The government cannot ban religious worship in whatever form it might take, as long as there is no material harm to others.

Hearing a call to prayer does not cause any actual harm. It might be annoying to some, but there is no right not to be annoyed at what others do.

If the church bells can ring, the call to prayer can take place, as well. That's because the Constitution protects us from a government sponsored and official religion. That's the purpose of the First Amendment, not only to protect the non-religious. It protects us all. The government doesn't get to decide for its citizens what and how they should worship, if they choose to do so.

As an avowed atheist, I feel strongly that all positions having to do with religion should be treated the same. Mine, and those of those who do have some sort of religious beliefs. Everyone gets to do as they please with regard to that, as long as nobody is harmed.