The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #73819   Message #1287757
Posted By: MaineDog
03-Oct-04 - 08:23 PM
Thread Name: BS: Religious Freedom vs. Local Zoning Laws
Subject: RE: BS: Religious Freedom vs. Local Zoning Laws
The first amendment is directed to Congress: "Congress shall make no law--" not to local governments. This was done so that states and localities will have discretion in matters of religion... in those days, I think, different states had different religious majorities, not exactly establishments, but preferences, at least. We also have freedoms of association, and assembly, which could tend to exclude certain people in order to maintain their identity. Let's assume that you and your Orthodox community had established a township that met all of your needs, and then the ACLU decided to move in and say thay you were violating the rights of Muslims, how would you feel then?
In America, rights and freedoms must be balanced against one and another, and although religious freedom is very important, it cannot always win out, because we are a pluralistic democracy, not a theocracy.
I very much hope that we all can learn to live together in peace, and I certainly wish no one ill will.
MD