My Opinion on Religious Freedom
1. Is today’s wall of separation between church and state at the right height?
No, the wall of separation between church and state could stand to be lowered a little simply because religion, not the church, should have more of an impact on policy making.
2. Should the state of Alabama Supreme Court be allowed to display a huge granite statue of the Ten Commandments in its public rotunda?
I am the lord your God
You shall have no other gods before me
You shall not make for yourself an idol
You shall not make wrongful use of the name of your God
Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy
Yes, these commandments should be displayed because they deal with more than religious ideals. They reinforce moralistic ideals that refute profanity, corruption, and improper practices. In many ways, government should be more willing to pay attention to ideals such as these in today’s world more than ever.
3. Would the US be better off if it was a more religious country?
The U.S. would be better off as a more religious country because that way law making wouldn’t feel the need to interfere in religiously affiliated practices. Also, if we were more religious as a country we would be able to remain clear on where everyone stands and what is expected. This would prevent a lot of debate and turmoil.
4. Should science teachers be allowed to teach evolution in a science class at West Stokes?
Should science teachers be allowed to teach creationism in a science class at West Stokes?
Science teachers should be allowed to teach both concepts, maybe even be required to teach both, for no other purpose than to promote the knowledge base of their students so that they are exposed to and know how to deal with multiple theories and philosophies.
5. If you could keep only one clause would it be the establishment or the free exercise clause?
I would want to keep the free exercise clause because I agree with setting up a check so that government does not interfere with individual religious practices. However, I feel like government should be able to represent a certain religions ideals and morals.
6. Should American money say “In God We Trust” on it?
I am torn on this issue. In some ways I believe that money should not have that phrase on it because it is a very ungodly substance and the object of corruption and it seems kind of hypocritical to have it on an object with that kind of connotation. On the other hand, since it is probably the thing that we are most frequently in contact with it would be okay to have the phrase on it.
7. Should King Central Park fly the Christian flag at the Veteran's Memorial? What do you think of local politicians support of the flying of the flag?
I don’t think it is necessary to establish any kind of religiously affiliated representation at a memorial simply because most soldiers and veterans just do what they have to do to serve and protect their country. They do it because it satisfies them personally, so they don’t need to create a big show about it in order to boost their ego, which is all the flag is. I think politicians supporting the flying of the flag are just trying to get votes from the public to stay in office.
8. Should the Pledge of Allegiance use the words "Under God"? Why/why not?
Yes, because it brings an aspect of humility, even if it’s just words, to our ego in America. It stands for the fact that we are not high and mighty over everything even though we like to think so some times.
9. Should Muslims be able to build a mosque near "Ground Zero" in NY City?
Yes, because not all Muslims are part of the Muslims extremist groups like AL-Qaeda so we should not judge all Muslims to be vile. However, I feel that any religiously affiliated place of worship should not be built near or on a site of such a tragic event. Instead, I feel that it is important to memorialize those who lost their lives there and rebuild to show that we won’t be defeated.
10. Should there be prayer before sporting events, required daily prayer at cheerleading practices, prayer at graduations?
I think prayer should be allowed, but I don’t think it should be a requirement.
No, the wall of separation between church and state could stand to be lowered a little simply because religion, not the church, should have more of an impact on policy making.
2. Should the state of Alabama Supreme Court be allowed to display a huge granite statue of the Ten Commandments in its public rotunda?
I am the lord your God
You shall have no other gods before me
You shall not make for yourself an idol
You shall not make wrongful use of the name of your God
Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy
Yes, these commandments should be displayed because they deal with more than religious ideals. They reinforce moralistic ideals that refute profanity, corruption, and improper practices. In many ways, government should be more willing to pay attention to ideals such as these in today’s world more than ever.
3. Would the US be better off if it was a more religious country?
The U.S. would be better off as a more religious country because that way law making wouldn’t feel the need to interfere in religiously affiliated practices. Also, if we were more religious as a country we would be able to remain clear on where everyone stands and what is expected. This would prevent a lot of debate and turmoil.
4. Should science teachers be allowed to teach evolution in a science class at West Stokes?
Should science teachers be allowed to teach creationism in a science class at West Stokes?
Science teachers should be allowed to teach both concepts, maybe even be required to teach both, for no other purpose than to promote the knowledge base of their students so that they are exposed to and know how to deal with multiple theories and philosophies.
5. If you could keep only one clause would it be the establishment or the free exercise clause?
I would want to keep the free exercise clause because I agree with setting up a check so that government does not interfere with individual religious practices. However, I feel like government should be able to represent a certain religions ideals and morals.
6. Should American money say “In God We Trust” on it?
I am torn on this issue. In some ways I believe that money should not have that phrase on it because it is a very ungodly substance and the object of corruption and it seems kind of hypocritical to have it on an object with that kind of connotation. On the other hand, since it is probably the thing that we are most frequently in contact with it would be okay to have the phrase on it.
7. Should King Central Park fly the Christian flag at the Veteran's Memorial? What do you think of local politicians support of the flying of the flag?
I don’t think it is necessary to establish any kind of religiously affiliated representation at a memorial simply because most soldiers and veterans just do what they have to do to serve and protect their country. They do it because it satisfies them personally, so they don’t need to create a big show about it in order to boost their ego, which is all the flag is. I think politicians supporting the flying of the flag are just trying to get votes from the public to stay in office.
8. Should the Pledge of Allegiance use the words "Under God"? Why/why not?
Yes, because it brings an aspect of humility, even if it’s just words, to our ego in America. It stands for the fact that we are not high and mighty over everything even though we like to think so some times.
9. Should Muslims be able to build a mosque near "Ground Zero" in NY City?
Yes, because not all Muslims are part of the Muslims extremist groups like AL-Qaeda so we should not judge all Muslims to be vile. However, I feel that any religiously affiliated place of worship should not be built near or on a site of such a tragic event. Instead, I feel that it is important to memorialize those who lost their lives there and rebuild to show that we won’t be defeated.
10. Should there be prayer before sporting events, required daily prayer at cheerleading practices, prayer at graduations?
I think prayer should be allowed, but I don’t think it should be a requirement.