Reply #25: well, hit this point by point..

[apnu]

quote: "Absolutely not. The First Amendment does not include the phrase 'separation of church and state.' It reads:

'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.'"

Not true! Tell them to re-read the first amendment. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion." A simpler way to say that is the phrase "Separation of church and state." This moron, is not only illiterate, but (like all fundies) takes things too literally. No one, that I know of, ever said that "separation of church and state" is in the Constitution, but the "separation of church and state clause" is the first amendment.

"Nowhere does the First Amendment suggest that Christianity cannot be heard in the public square."

Now this idiot is just making stuff up. Technically its true, but separation of church and state have nothing to do with "public squares" It has to do with the government endorsing any religion. Something this widget head is looking to do.

Robert L. Cord? Tim LaHaye? Who are these people? I've never heard of them, if this article wants to have credibility, then they need bigger and better names. If you are arguing about the religious intent of our founders, then look to them for answers! They've all written reams of notes an journals, and Thomas Jefferson's (the main author of our government) left volumes of writings, explanations and warnings for us.

" 'When our first President, under the new Constitution, received the request of both Houses of Congress concerning a national declaration of a public day of Thanksgiving and Prayer, "George Washington...issued a National Thanksgiving Proclamation" without any apparent concern that he might be mixing government and religion.' " -- supposedly Robert L. Cord

OK, this guy needs to get a dictionary, and needs to learn how to use single and double quotes. Notice the "..." that means a large chunk of text was dropped, what was that text Mr. fundie wacko? And, Proclamation does not equal Prayer. Look it up.

"'The true meaning of the first amendment has been turned on its head during the past fifty years: In this decade, those who practice the religion of secular humanism are able to use the power of the federal government to impose their religion on the vast majority of the population.'" -- Tim LaHaye

Now they are rewriting history. Fifty years ago we had a God fearing government? What is this guy talking about? Fifty years ago this nation was in the grip of McCarthyism and "the Red Menace" In my study of history, I don't recall the president or congress running around blending Christianity and government.

Well I could go on in this way, but I'm sure you get the point now. This is how I'd argue against this drivel, but you've got to find your own voice in this area and battle back.

Best of luck to you and your debate.