Platform Item 7: The First Amendment
“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.”
This must be interpreted that government, this includes local jurisdictions may make no laws nor enforce any policy that would make it impossible for children to practice their religion, celebrate any religious holiday or refuse the use of school facilities to religious organizations when those facilities are offered to other after school organizations.
This must also be interpreted to prevent any federal, state or local government or quasi-government organization to refuse the use of its public property to organizations based upon their religious beliefs.
This must also be interpreted to immediately dismiss any action in our courts that would remove religious symbols from public property.
This must also be interpreted to immediately dismiss any action in our courts that would remove any religious documents from public buildings or property.
Affirmative Argument
Here it is, in black and white. This is what the Constitution states about freedom of speech, freedom of religion and freedom of the press. So, why is it so hard for school districts to understand or for the courts to understand that it is unlawful for anyone to forbid a student to wear a crucifix, read a bible, say a prayer or celebrate a religious holiday on school grounds?
There is no “separation of church and state” referenced in the Constitution. A casual statement was made in a letter by Thomas Jefferson about a separation but no separation is referenced in the Constitution. Yet for many years our public schools and many local governments have based decisions that have forbid crosses on public property, the Ten Commandments to be posted in courthouses and the celebration of a child’s religion on school property. This insanity must stop. It is unlawful and it is in direct violation of the First Amendment.
Public decisions have also been made that have removed the crèche from Christmas displays. The word Christmas and the holiday itself is under constant attack from persons who are atheist, agnostic or who simply believe that religious displays have no place in publicly sponsored displays or events. What these people think is irrelevant. Until there is an amendment to the Constitution to redefine the First Amendment any such action is unlawful and must be immediately dismissed by any court of law.
Categories: Platform
Tags: Bill of Rights Amendments Constitution
I commend the Tea Party for taking this brave stance on the first amendment. I would not have believed, based on what I have read in the popular press, that the Tea Party would embrace Islamic prayer in public schools. The image of students bowing and praying multiple times a day is not one I would have equated with learning, but I can see now that I was mistaken. Our children must be permitted to see all manner of sacrifice.
I am glad to see this organization standing up and insisting that the basic rights be recognized for all citizens.
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I would not embrace islamic prayer in the schools but I also would not prohibit it. I would also have no problem with islam being taught in a public school if other religions are welcomed as well and the courses are either voluntary or after-school clubs. What I would have a problem with is if the curriculum of islam strayed beyond the religion itself and into the other facets of islam, facets like murder, subjugation of women, sharia law, hatred toward the infidel and jihad. islam is more than simply a religion and anything beyond prayer and religious teaching I would personally not want in public schools.
You are correct in your understanding without regard to the cynicism of the statement that those in the Tea Party do stand for basic rights for all citizens. What we do not stand for is group rights or stupidity.
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