Dune

-That is not my position. Try expanding your vision beyond our shores and our times. How did the Taliban take-over in Muslim Afghanistan? How did the Communists take-over in Christian Orthodox Russia? How does religious faith belief figure into Israeli immigration law? (These are merely a few of the questions you should be asking yourself if you wish to understand from whence my thoughts originate.-

To be fair to history- governmental overthrough and commandering by fantatics of any kind (be they religious or military) come during a time of socioeconomic crisis, but that is valid to watch for nut jobs of any kind creeping into politics.

So getting back to the meat of my question- what constitues governmental interference in religious expression? Should the government mandate that no religious symbols are to be tolerated on public ground? Wouldnt that constitute federal interference in free expression?

-I have no desire to separate ethical behavior from the government. -
So without religious influence, where should a government draw its morality from? If a majority of the population beleives in say the basic tenents of Christianity or Judeism (10 commandment type stuff) is it then acceptable to model the moral structure after that majority- after all, the majority will elect those whose ideals run parallel with thiers and the representatives in Congress will enact that moral structure?
How is that to be seperated out?

Buffman

Dune

So getting back to the meat of my question- what constitues governmental interference in religious expression?

The meat of your question has been answered by all the judicial rulings since the Constitution and Bill of Rights were ratified. Read them! In other words, each case must be examined individually. That is why it is essential that the elected governments maintain neutrality concerning religious beliefs...and why this current administration is such a threat to religious freedom in this country. It is interfering. Did you review the sites I gave you...especially those who produce the interfaith one?

Should the government mandate that no religious symbols are to be tolerated on public ground? Wouldnt that constitute federal interference in free expression?

I will repeat again. It isn't a matter of toleration. It is a matter of Constitutional Law. The government has no business "mandating" for or against religion. Please read James Madison's "Memorial and Remonstrance" very carefully and thoughtfully.

http://religiousfreedom.lib.virginia..._m&r_1785.html

Then you should obtain a copy of Neil H. Cogan's "The Complete Bill of Rights: The Drafts, Debates, Sources, & Origins", Oxford University Press, New York, 1997 and read the materials on pages 1-82.

Then if you sincerely wish to get yourself up to speed, review all the information provided at:

http://members.tripod.com/~candst/


So without religious influence, where should a government draw its morality from?

I recommend that you ask that question here:

http://www.iidb.org/vbb/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=61


If a majority of the population beleives in say the basic tenents of Christianity or Judeism (10 commandment type stuff) is it then acceptable to model the moral structure after that majority- after all, the majority will elect those whose ideals run parallel with thiers and the representatives in Congress will enact that moral structure?
How is that to be seperated out?

(Same recommendation)