“Certainly no power over religious discipline has been delegated to the general government.”
- Thomas Jefferson
If old Thom and his buddies Ben, George, John, etc. could see how the federal government has limited religious expression, they would be astounded. A cursory reading of the writing and correspondence of the founding fathers demonstrates their resolve that matters of religion were to be decided by the states. It is quite shocking to see how the first amendment has been massaged, battered, twisted, and downright ignored to the point of our current federal encroachment in state related matters. The infringement of the freedom of religion, therefore, is one of many examples how a lack of vigilance precedes subtle abuse.
I for one do not believe that the Constitution is a “living” document. I think that those who do believe that, betray their lack of willingness to abide by anything that is perceived as absolute. Either what was written works for all people at all times or it doesn’t work for anyone at anytime. Why this soggy, milk-toast, middle of “living document”? Where do you draw the line? Where is the firewall to protect communities, families, and individuals from an ever encroaching, faceless, bureaucracy? Freedom of religion that is only as secure as a majority on the supreme court is not true freedom.
