What happened to separation between church and state!?!?

It gets ignored by those that choose to let it happen

Precisely what issue are you referring to? All the old sodomy laws banning consensual homosexual behavior have been overturned by the Supreme Court. But if you're talking about the gay marriage issue, that has to do with the Constitution's "equal protection" clause of the 14th Amendment rather than the establishment clause of the 1st Amendment. Granted, gay marriage isn't recognized in most states because most Americans are Christian, and most Christians only think of marriage as being between a man and a woman. But calling that a violation of the separation of church and state is a bit of a stretch. Even many non-Christians have a hard time coping with the idea. Personally though, I think (on a strictly legal level) marriage is just a contract between two people who want to share each others lives and their property, and the government should simply stay out of the business of marriage. There's no evidence whatsoever that gay couples would be any less loving towards adopted children than straight couples, and it's not like the human race is going to become extinct just because some people choose not to breed.

On the other hand, if you're talking about Senator Larry Craig's recent arrest for public lewdness, I believe that was only because he was planning to have sex right inside a public bathroom. The fact that it was with another man was merely coincidental.

First, the constitution only says Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. It says nothing on homosexuality that while against the beliefs of almost all religions (not just one)is also against the beliefs of many non-religious people as well. There are more religions and societies that do not believe in homosexuality than just Christians.

The court is not deciding the cases based on religion. It is deciding it based on the law and the wants of society as a whole. The vast majority of people in this country feel that marriage should be between a man and a woman. The courts have never ruled that homosexuality is a "sin". Courts rule only on what is legal or not legal.

Right or wrong, most laws and governments are based on the wants and will of the people and society as a whole, which coincidentally are usually mirrored in the beliefs if most religions.

Bottom line, marriage is bewteen a man and a woman. Can gays form unions or whatever else they want to call it. Sure. But it is not marriage. Should a gay couple have the same or similar rights as a married couple? Yes. Marriage though is based on religon. Long before the gov't stuck its nose in the marriage business, marriage was purely a religous institution and is a sacrment in the Catholic church. As such gays can not participate. To bash people for feeling that way is ignorant and their beliefs are no more right or wrong than your beliefs.

The ironic part is those people who feel everyone should be able to do whatever they want without hinderance are usually the first ones to call people with differing views "dumbass" or other choice terms. How ironic.

You also need to get a clue. Its not just conservatives who are against gay marriage. Plenty of your fellow liberals are as well. You think Hillary, when it comes down to it, supports gays? She may tell you that to get your vote, but if you think she feels that way deep inside, you are mistaken. If you don't think she wouldn't feel a sinking feeling if Chelsea said she is gay, you are kidding yourself.

You sound like you need psycotherapy. Nobody is persecuting you in this country. We have more laws to protect gays then any other class of people.

Oh, and you have been flagged for you language and insulting tones and use of curse words. You really make your case by insulting those who differ with you.

It's not the separation of church and state we need to worry about. ONE bible that nearly 40% of America believes in has its people rise up in the government, and because the government has been ruled by Christians for centuries, change will come at a cost.

And it is not just one bible. All groups of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Catholicism believe that homosexuality is wrong. And that covers most of the major religious groups in America. They all support the people who say it is wrong, namely the GOP and conservatives...so even though we may have a woman president, or an African American president in 2008, there are very few things that will change the minds of the dumbasses in America.

That whole deal about "if you don't like America, move," is F-ing rediculous. Patriotism truly is the refuge of scoundrels. It's like "if you don't agree with me, then leave the country." America accomodates dissent. To not accomodate dissent is un-American. You belong in North Korea, Brookbabe90. I bet your not a babe either. I wish there was some way I could give you the bird on this thing.

Separation of Church and state has nothing to do with gay marriage though. All separation of Church and State means is that one religion should not be cloaked with the power of the state.

Gay marriage is better argued under the Equal Protection Clause.

Finally, don't worry, It is just a matter of time, and gay marriage will have to be allowed. The fact of the matter is that the only reason it is not considered to be Un-constitutional to ban gay marriage is based in pure bigotry and moralistic beliefs based on Christian, Judeo, and Islamic mythology. See Lawrence v. Texas, the US Supreme Court overturned Bowers v. State and thus made sodomy laws Un-Constitutional. Laws forbidding gay marriage will soon follow suit.

(People who don't know how to think often take comfort in the idea that there is an infallible God thinking for them).

Have you even read the constitution especially the section on seperation of church and state because homosexuals getting married doesn't even come close to falling under that particular category. It is only an excuse some use because they can't get married. They assume that because it is said to be immoral in the bible that this is the reason they cannot get married. My grandmother is lesbian and she came to visit us this summer and I was curious about where she stood on this subject and this is what she said, " Why do I need to concern myself with whether my girlfriend and I can get married? We have had about 14 yrs of friendship and love. I do not need a piece of paper to validate that. Those people who protest and yell/scream about it are wasting precious moments they could have spent with the person they love and those are memories you can never get back. In my life I have found that if you quietly live your life the way you want to no one cares who you spend it with." I will always remember what she said to me because she doesn't need a piece of paper to validate her feelings for her girlfriend. I have a deeper respect for her than I ever had. Even my hubby who is a complete homophobe loved her to death. He thinks she is the coolest person he has ever met.

The question of marriage to homosexuals does not really concern itself with what judeo-christian morality is. Rather, it concerns itself with the traditional definition of marriage. Thus, the marriage question, at least, can be answered without religious morality. Homosexuals cannot marry because marriage is between a man and a woman. A joining of same sex folks is simply that, a joining, or union, not a marriage. Different words have different meanings and homosexuals should not be out changing the meanings of words all the time to confuse people--that is simply them forcing their morality on the rest.

However,

I would agree that religious superstition does enter in with the sodomy laws. Clearly these laws come from a religious morality and one should not be arrested simply because he put his you know what you know where.

As a Christian, I have to say I agree with you. I wouldn't like it if another religion decided who could get married. It may be in my favor, now, but who knows who could get elected in the future? I don't think the church should be forced to marry a couple they don't agree with but the government is another story. I've heard many people ask "What are we rewarding gay couples for? They can't produce children like heterosexual couples." But for every monogamous couple (straight or gay), there are two less people to contribute to the possible spread of HIV and other diseases. We should reward monogamy. Many heterosexuals are already destroying that idea.

You have two questions, not just one. First you have to understand what the separation of church and state was supposed to mean in our Constitution, and how it has been perverted by our own supreme court in not unholding it.

The founders of our country wanted freedom "of" religion...not freedom "from" religion. They came from where the State religion was forced on them....they didn't want that happening here, where any government could tell you how or who to worship....so they wrote it in the Constitution.

Instead, the Supreme Court interpreted it wrong....causing many errors of judgment to be made...trying to "force" all religion out of anything public....not what the founders had in mind at all.

There is only one Bible, and one God....and He is the One Who says that homosexuality is a sinful behavior....so if you argue with it....you are arguing with God Himself...and there is only one true and living God.

Why do you think our country has been so blessed for so long?...more than any other country...protected and blessed....because as a nation the majority chose to worship God....and acknowlege Him.....yes that is now changing...and so is our protection from Him.

The more we choose to worship idols and false gods, the homosexual lifestyle, abortion of millions of babies, etc....the less He will have His hand of protection over our nation....all you have to do is look...to see it happening.

As a nation, we are being very foolish...and we will pay a high price for it.

We were promised in our Constitution freedom to worship as we choose....and we are losing that freedom. Some day, Christian or not, you will wish we still had that liberty, because it affects so many other things as well...like freedom to assemble, freedom of speech, etc. It is all about freedom!

And not knowing God is not a joke of any kind...because God says "He or she who has the Son (Jesus) has Life, and he/she who has not the Son, shall not see Life (eternal life) and the wrath of God abides on him/her"

I didn't say it....God did...so He allows you the choice, and says if you choose not to listen, you are lost already!

When you die....remember you had this chance to listen, and the choice you made. Then, it will be too late!.

Personally, I'd rather choose what God told us is true.

It's Separation OF church and state, not Separation between church and state.

That being said, all it means is that the state cannot impose a state religion on the people. Not that government officials cannot have and practice a religion.

And Rocksta, the United States is not and never has been a Democracy, it's a Republic and it is not majority rule.

You need to take a chill pill. Time will take care of this issue and all of your ranting will do no good for your cause...no one listens to a ranter. There is no reason gay couples shouldn't marry and it won't be long until they run out of excuses to ban it.