[honeychile]

HoneyKiss asked what can be done to mend the fences, and I see mostly accusatory rhetoric. Many of us - whichever religion! - would like to see some inner healing in the United States, and the hate that's been spewed on this thread in the name of the Lord and the Law is plain nasty.

What we need is to completely define (or redefine, your pick) what separation of church and state means.

If it means that the government will have no dealings with religious matters, then any lawsuit saying that someone in a private company was discriminated against because of their religion would be thrown out. Any and all symbols & traditions of ANY and ALL religions, current or former, would be thrown out.

No one would swear or affirm on the Bible. No statues of Blind Justice. No mythological creatures, no Buddhas, Krishnas, Vishnu, Star of David, Crosses, Crescents, Stars, etc etc in any governmentally funded parks or buildings. No meat could be served in a governmentally funded cafeteria lest Seventh Day Adventists be offended. But - since Janists believe that even tubors have feelings, that would mean no potatoes or carrots in any governmentally funded places, either! Thousands of children who currently go to daycare centers that happen to be in a church, temple or other religious building would have nowhere to go.

I could go on and on, but I think my point is made. Most of us WANT to get along - but not at the risk of religious freedom.