A simple statement from a simple (left to your evaluation) person: I came to believe that the single most important purpose of the American Revolution, the establishment of the Constitution and the United States of America was to protect all of our lawful activities from government, first and foremost - if that's not too terribly flawed -- I guess the real question is: Why must any part of it have to be defended or interpreted? ----- Original Message ----- From: "Richard Dixon" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Friday, January 20, 2006 9:36 AM Subject: intent of the establishment clause Apropos of the recent exchange on original intent in the First Amendment is this interesting analysis at a recent lecture at the UVA Law School. "The nation's founders included the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to protect and promote the church's inculcation of public virtue, rather than to protect the federal government from the influence of religion, said Judge Michael W. McConnell at the Oct. 27 Meador Lecture on Law and Religion." http://www.law.virginia.edu/home2002/html/news/2005_fall/mcconnell.htm Richard E. Dixon Attorney at Law 4122 Leonard Drive Fairfax, VA 22030 703-691-0770 fax 703-691-0978 To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.14.21/235 - Release Date: 1/19/2006 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.14.21/235 - Release Date: 1/19/2006 To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html