Andy Abshire’s piece about “church-state separation” was very interesting in what it said about the “myth,” but especially in what was left out about the amended Bill of Rights, which limits both state and federal power.
Abshire’s argument was that the original intent of the Bill of Rights was to apply only to the federal government. True, but not pertinent since the end of the Civil War. Under the 14th Amendment (1868), the Constitution was amended to, among other things, apply substantially all of the Bill of Rights to the states (the “Privileges and Immunities Clause”). Thus, in interpreting the Bill of Rights, we cannot merely look to the original intent; we must look to the original intent as subsequently amended. As amended, the Bill of Rights clearly applies to limit federal and state government reach.
The original intention was to leave almost all legislation concerning religion and morality to the states. But in the 1940s, through the application of the Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment by the Supreme Court, the Constitution began to be used to invalidate religious legislation of the states. That’s the rub!
In the Court’s 1947 Everson decision, Justice Hugo Black wrote, “In the words of Jefferson, the clause against establishment of religion by law was intended to erect a wall of separation between church and state.”
This “established law” was called a “myth” by former Chief Justice William Rehnquist, but he left it alone. Why, if a “myth,” one must ask? Why?
Bill J. Paschal
Muncie
Letters
Letter: Bill of Rights limits state government reach
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Letter: Public should have say on library space
As taxpayers, does the public have no say-so what happens with their tax dollars? With some proper schedule management, those existing meeting rooms can fulfill everyone’s needs.
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Letter: Election fraud tales turn voters away
Columnist Maureen Hayden asked, “Why did 3 million Hoosiers choose not to vote?” She gave a few reasons but I can think of another one.
How about election fraud? -
Letter: Elected officials should buy insurance
I may be wrong but I thought the city and county were hurting for money, and that’s why services keep getting cut or eliminated. One thing is evident. There is no shortage of money for lawsuits.
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Letter: Source of inequality is not economic
The truth of the collapse of a living-wage economy for working-class America is a social catastrophe and, increasingly, a severe embarrassment to free-market ideology.
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Letter: America following road to tyranny
Global elitists behind our government have methodically been guiding our government toward the New World Order.
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Letter: Let’s work through the problems
On May 14 I attended the county council meeting in hopes that I could understand what is happening in the legislative branch of our Madison County government. What I saw was politics at its worst and I cannot applaud either party.
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Letter: Columnist Brown ignores truth
It’s hard to understand why The Herald Bulletin carries columns by Susan Stamper Brown, who has such a blatant disregard for truth in her conservative propaganda.
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Letter: Taxpayers should thank the ‘few’
Are those who worry about the loss of the wheel tax concerned about the roads or about their jobs? Most of them could care less about people’s needs.
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Letter: Government officials should answer to us
We, the people, have allowed government officials to lead us into the crazy one world order. But, is it working? Well, look at the results.
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Viewpoint: Schools, volunteers reach out to pre-kindergartners, parents
On behalf of Born Learning Connection as service of the United Way of Madison County, I would like to thank all Madison County elementary schools for their generous support in making Blast Off to Kindergarten a countywide success.
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Letter: Public should have say on library space
