I reinstate my “Idiot of the Day” series for Bruce Benton and his comments about the Separation of Church and State:
Courtesy of BlueRidgeNow.com.
To The Editor: Regarding the saying aloud of a prayer at a public meeting, I would refer to the First Amendment: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech … .”
Before doing the people’s business, it seems only right and proper that those permitted to have authority over us acknowledge that our collective rights and powers do not come from government but emanate from a higher source. This should be self-evident since our rights and powers long preceded government. In this country almost uniquely, government was fashioned to protect those rights and powers.
When called upon to deliver a prayer, it is also only right and proper that the designated person employ his or her personal belief system in the construction of a statement that conveys that understanding and humility. Separation of church and state is not nor was ever intended to be regarded as separation of God and state. One could not keep God out if you wanted to regardless of what the ACLU says.
Bruce Benton
Hendersonville
Woody Bass III 