Prof. Berton Caine, “Separation- A Fading Constitutional Dream,” March 25, 2014

The Freethought Society is pleased to host Temple University professor Berton Caine as a speaker on Tuesday, March 25, 2014, at 7:00 PM. His presentation “Separation of Religion and State — A Fading Constitutional Dream,” will take place at the Ludington Library in the large meeting room located on the main level. The library address is 5 South Bryn Mawr Avenue, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. A SEPTA stop is located across the street from the library.

The first clause of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution provides that government “shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” The Supreme Court, in its first decision on the subject, interpreted this to impose “a wall of separation” between religion and state, prohibiting government from giving even one cent to, or for the benefit of, religion. The Court quoted Jefferson, that doing so would even be “sinful.” In a series of baffling formulas, the Court has since effectively abandoned the Wall and the result is often that majority religions win and minorities lose. Caine will examine these serious Constitutional violations and how they affect the nontheist community.  Prof. Berton Caine, “Separation- A Fading Constitutional Dream,” March 25, 2014