Reply #17: In the quote

[Q3JR4]

"egarding religion, the First Amendment was intended to accomplish three purposes. First, it was intended to prevent the establishment of a national church or religion, or the giving of any religious sect or denomination a preferred status. Second, it was designed to safeguard the right of freedom of conscience in religious beliefs against invasion solely by the national Government. Third, it was so constructed in order to allow the States, unimpeded, to deal with religious establishments and aid to religious institutions as they saw fit."

says it all. The national government is prohibited from setting up a national Christian religion, or even holding one religious view above all others. Yes, the states have the right to make decisions for themselves in regards to this issue and many others, but those decisions cannot trump the protections contained in the first amendment. Our court system does what it does not for any other purpose than to interpret the constitution.

As to history, a resolution was submitted to the constitutional convention that would have made a reference to the idea that this nation was founded on Christian principles. It would also have recognized God as the sole source of law. The resolution was soundly rejected.

Quote the founders in support of religion, and I'll quote you some of my own quotes showing just the opposite. By most historical accounts, the founders were diests. The closest thing (at the time) to aethiests.

Personally, I'm glad that we are where we are now in regards to this issue. If not we would still have slavery and a host of other national "sins" protected by biblical passages (slave owners had to stand before a court and quote biblical passages on slavery to get any equal rights case dropped).

Finally, as has been said here, it doesn't really matter. The courts interpret the law, that's their job. No matter what the founders said or believed, they expected the interpretation of the law to change. That's why we have three branches of government rather than two (as the religious right would have you believe).