Reply #96: Sure, I clipped too much...

[hootinholler]

The point was not an objection to community standards, but to point out calling ancient religions 'splinter' is just a little off the mark.

You see, this argument (not ours here, but the larger one) is about the insinuation of religion into the body politic. The only thing that mainstream awareness has to do with that is which flavor of religion will be insinuated. Matters not if the religion is labeled splinter.

To answer your question, no the Amish (or anyone else) shouldn't have to bring in other forms of prayer unless they insist on making thier religion law by establishing a policy of approved religions invited as prayer leadership. The only alternative is to not have official prayer as part of official proceedings per the 1st ammendment.

The relevant part is " Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;

Now official policies are part of the law. When any religion is given priority over any other religion, as a matter of policy, that is establishment.

Oh, and yes, I actually do think that the Chaplin in congress is unconstitutional, along with the phrase In God We Trust as our motto.

-Hoot