March 15, 2005
Common sense
Well, DUH!
"No one ever got poor underestimating the intelligence of the American people."
A news story this morning mentioned that some bloggers are in a panic because there is no privacy. My understanding (and the purpose of this blog) is to make my ideas and views known to the world. One would think that all the publicity about blogging as a form of journalism would give these people a clue. I admit to being a bit embarrassed by the private thoughts expressed openly in some other blogs. If you want privacy, send an e-mail, or better yet, use the phone.
Separation of church and state: You can't have it both ways
Many church leaders are upset at Ohio Senate Bill 17, because of a proposed requirement for clergy to report known or "reasonably suspected" cases of child abuse. The concern is that it is an intrusion of the State into matters of counseling or internal church administration. This is a reasonable concern, but sounds curious coming from Evangelicals who cannot understand why the government does not promote Christianity through Nativity displays, school prayer, obviously religious displays of the Ten Commandments, and the like.
On the other hand, I do not think the wall of separation should be erected so high that students cannot spontaneously pray out loud or sing a few religiously based Christmas songs in concert (if the local community will support same). Government should neither promote nor discourage the Christian (or any other) faith.
Anyone who is aggrieved by a modest display of Christian culture in the public schools, or by the Ten Commandments in a context of displaying the sources of law can still appeal to the American Civil Liberties Union; but if the Evangelicals push the religious camel's nose into the government's tent, they should not be too surprised when the Liberals push the governmental camel's nose into theirs.
Better yet, stop fussing over "the wall of separation," and go back to the original wording of the First Amendment, "The Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
Copyright © 2005, Harold D. Thomas. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to use the material in this blog provided both conditions are met: (1) Credit is given to the author, and (2) the use is not for profit.
"No one ever got poor underestimating the intelligence of the American people."
-- H. L. Mencken
A news story this morning mentioned that some bloggers are in a panic because there is no privacy. My understanding (and the purpose of this blog) is to make my ideas and views known to the world. One would think that all the publicity about blogging as a form of journalism would give these people a clue. I admit to being a bit embarrassed by the private thoughts expressed openly in some other blogs. If you want privacy, send an e-mail, or better yet, use the phone.
Separation of church and state: You can't have it both ways
Many church leaders are upset at Ohio Senate Bill 17, because of a proposed requirement for clergy to report known or "reasonably suspected" cases of child abuse. The concern is that it is an intrusion of the State into matters of counseling or internal church administration. This is a reasonable concern, but sounds curious coming from Evangelicals who cannot understand why the government does not promote Christianity through Nativity displays, school prayer, obviously religious displays of the Ten Commandments, and the like.
On the other hand, I do not think the wall of separation should be erected so high that students cannot spontaneously pray out loud or sing a few religiously based Christmas songs in concert (if the local community will support same). Government should neither promote nor discourage the Christian (or any other) faith.
Anyone who is aggrieved by a modest display of Christian culture in the public schools, or by the Ten Commandments in a context of displaying the sources of law can still appeal to the American Civil Liberties Union; but if the Evangelicals push the religious camel's nose into the government's tent, they should not be too surprised when the Liberals push the governmental camel's nose into theirs.
Better yet, stop fussing over "the wall of separation," and go back to the original wording of the First Amendment, "The Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
Copyright © 2005, Harold D. Thomas. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to use the material in this blog provided both conditions are met: (1) Credit is given to the author, and (2) the use is not for profit.
Copyright © 2005-2006, Harold D. Thomas. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to use the material in this blog provided this copyright notice is shown and the use is not for profit.
The Middle Way posted by Harold Thomas @ 4:55 PM 
