On May 8, 1:22=A0pm, "Lord Vetinari" <vetin...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> "s****hawk" <s****h...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
>
>
news:7d3f7c6c-651c-4881-aed5-02f4dde7cabb@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> [snip]
> : Jefferson's use of the phrase "wall of separation between Church &
> : State" =A0in a private letter does not, and cannot, change the meaning
> : of the plain language of the First Amendment. =A0Your interpretation
of
> : Jefferson's metaphor would mean that Congress is forbidden to apply
> : religious moral standards in enacting legislation--there exists a wall
> : which Congress must not breach. Any congressman who bases his vote on
> : religious teachings of morality and civility would be in violation of
> : the Constitution.
> :
> : That's utter nonsense. =A0If there is such a "wall," it contains a
one-
> : way gate: Congress cannot influence religions, but religious moral
> : teachings can--and should--influence Congress. =A0Our present
Congress,
> : having relinquished their authority to declare war to a warmongering
> : president and funding years of random killings in the middle east,
> : would do well to reread the Ten Commandments.
>
> It is your misfortune to be dishonest in all of your dealings with other
> humans. =A0It is to your own detriment that you feel the need to spread
yo=
ur
> filth across usenet, and to your family's shame. =A0The fact is,
Congress =
_is_
> forbidden to apply "religious moral standards", oxymoron that it is, and
> moron that you are.
>
> If you ever decide to learn about morality & ethics, you'll do well to
ask=
> an atheist to help you on your journey.
You should look up the definitions of terms before you use them.
Atheists seem to labor under some delusion that rules of conduct and
civility toward strangers and aliens are somehow ingrained in the
human DNA, and if humankind could just rid itself of those silly
religious preachings about goodness, charity, and neighborly love,
orderly civilization would miraculously appear. Most atheists aren't
even aware that just about every position they cling to relating to
human affairs are rooted in some religious teachings that have been
handed down for generations.
No law exists forbidding members of Congress to apply "religious moral
standards." Our lawmakers are bound to apply the generally accepted
standards of morality in framing legislation. And virtually all of
the standards of morality recognized in the United States are rooted
in Christianity.
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