26.
SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE

     I BELIEVE WHAT THE CONSTITUTION SAYS IS THAT THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT CAN'T HINDER THE FREEDOM OF WORSHIP, OF ITS PEOPLE AND
CANNOT ESTABLISH A NATIONAL RELIGION.  WHAT THE CONSTITUTION
SPEAKS OF IS OFTEN REFERRED TO AS FREEDOM OF RELIGION, NOT
FREEDOM FROM RELIGION.  HOWEVER, AS USUALLY, THE SYSTEM HAS GONE
OVERBOARD AND TRIED TO REMOVE ANY SEMBLANCE OF RELIGION  OR
SPIRITUALITY FROM THE EVERYDAY LIFE OF ITS MEMBERS. THIS REMINDS ME
OF THE STORY OF THE MOUSE DESIGNED AND BUILT TO GOVERNMENT
STANDARDS WHICH RESULTED IN AN ELEPHANT, AS USUAL EVERYTHING THE
GOVERNMENT DOES GETS BLOWN OUT OF ITS INTENDED PROPORTIONS. I
HAVE HEARD OUR CURRENT DILEMMA DESCRIBED AS A NAKED CITY HALL,
MEANING NO RELIGIOUS ITEMS ARE ALLOWED IN CITY HALL.  I DO NOT THINK
THAT IS WHAT THE FOUNDING FATHERS IMAGINED FOR US.  THEY WERE
PROUD OF THEIR RELIGION OR SPIRITUALITY AND BELIEF IN GOD.  THEY JUST
DID NOT WANT ANYONE TO FORCE ANYONE ELSE TO BELIEVE, OR NOT TO
BELIEVE AS THEY WISH.  OUR FOUNDING FATHERS HAD A DEEP AND ABIDING
FAITH IN GOD AND WANTED THIS COUNTRY TO ALLOW ANYONE TO WORSHIP
AS HE/SHE PLEASED OR NOT.  THE CONSTITUTION SPEAKS OF GOD.  THE
CONGRESS OPENS WITH PRAYER.  THE PRESIDENT IS SWORN IN ON A BIBLE.
THE SUPREME COURT HAS A MURAL OF MOSES AND THE TEN
COMMANDMENTS ON THE WALL OF THE COURT CHAMBERS. SO IT IS OBVIOUS,
THEY DID NOT WANT A NAKED CITY HALL.  HOWEVER, IT IS ALSO TRUE THEY
DID NOT WANT A ROBED CITY HALL, DEDICATED TO ONE RELIGION.  WHAT I
THINK THEY IMAGINED WAS A CIVIL CITY HALL, OR A MULTICOLORED ROBED
CITY HALL, ONE THAT CELEBRATES AND ALLOWS ALL RELIGIONS TO
PARTICIPATE IN THE SPIRITUAL LIFE OF ALL AMERICANS.