Jeff Sessions Believes the First Amendment Separation Clause Is Unconstitutional – PoliticusUSA
*The following is an opinion column by R Muse*
It is no exaggeration whatsoever to say there isnt much about the U.S. Constitution Republicans respect or support except for the 2nd Amendment; at least as long as the National Rifle Association (NRA) and gun industry continues funding their despotism. Obviously, they detest everything about the 14th Amendment because it guarantees that every American enjoys exactly the same civil and equal rights regardless of their race, gender, religion or sexual orientation. Some folks may say Republicans have an affinity for the religious clauses of the 1st Amendment, but that is patently false simply because they either perpetually violate or use the clauses to force their evangelical mandates down every other Americans throat.
Now, it is clear that as this column has warned ad nauseam; if religious Republicans ever get the opportunity, they will wipe out the Founding Fathers intent that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion. Of course, this author is not a prophet, but as someone who is intimately aware of the evangelical rights mindset and intent to create a Christian theocracy to rule Americans, that warning was prophetic. It is bad enough that the incoming vice-president tapped to run domestic and foreign policy for the CEO of make America great is a rabid evangelical extremist, but the nations incoming top enforcer is of the same mindset as Mike Pence and will have the full weight of the Department of Justice empowering his religious intent.
It is a sad state of affairs that the man Trump wants to lead the Justice Department, Jeff Sessions, sincerely believes, and had no qualms saying out loud that the Establishment Clause in the U.S. Constitution is unconstitutional. Sessions, an evangelical extremist, also said that the separation of church and state is an extra-constitutional doctrine and a recent thing that is unhistorical and unconstitutional. (Author bold)
However, the real historical figure, Founding Father and third President of the United States Thomas Jefferson plainly explained in writing that:
I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between Church & State.
Sessions, as Michael Stone over at Patheos rightly labeled a moral monster subscribes to fake historian David Bartons teaching that what Thomas Jefferson, the Founding Fathers, and Constitutions Framers really meant in writing the Constitutions Establishment Clause was that Congress shall make no law establishing any particular denomination of Christianity. The evangelical revisionists also claim that the idea of the Constitutions prohibition on the Congress legislating any religion was a devious machination of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to evict god, the Christian bible, the Ten Commandments and Jesus Christ out of the constitutionally created government.
As an aside and for real historical context, the ACLU was founded in 1920, the Constitution was adopted as the law of the land in 1791, and Thomas Jefferson explained the meaning of the Establishment Clause in 1802. Obviously there is nothing unhistorical or unconstitutional about the separation of church and state except that it prevents religious tyranny by Christian theocrats in Republican ranks that now have a stellar opportunity to legislate their evangelical version of Sharia Law.
What Sessions belief means for America is that going forward when religious Republican legislatures start mandating that all citizens strictly adhere to some bastardized Christian edict, the Department of Justice will not support and defend the Constitution or religious freedom. In fact, it is safe to say that the DOJ under theocratic leadership will take punitive action against non-compliance based on the religious Republican belief that any American who does not comply with evangelical edicts is violating evangelical extremists religious freedom enshrined in the First Amendment. They have been doing it for the past eight years and now they are a Senate confirmation away from having the nations Justice Department ready to come to their defense.
The dangerous implications of a theocratic Department of Justice cannot possibly be understated because there are no lines the evangelical right is unwilling to cross to enforce their religious fanaticism. It is true they may not mirror the actions of the religious fanatics in ISIS right away, but they will demand universal compliance to their particularly bizarre version of Jesus without the love, tolerance and, charity the real Jesus preached. And along with that demand of compliance by legislative edict, Americans will no longer have a Justice Department to protect them from forced adherence to a legislatively established religion.
Of all the damage the incoming administration is going to wreak on this nation and its citizens, and it is going to be deadly damage, the danger from Dominionists who want a Christian theocracy as the government and the Christian bible as law of the land is inestimable. They will not be content with just punishing gays and women, they will first tyrannize, and then severely punish Old Testament style every American alive who fails to conform to their religious edicts. And, they will have authority and backing from a Department of Justice head who believes that the Founding Fathers and Constitutions Framers created an unconstitutional religious clause in the U.S. Constitutions First Amendment. The only Americans who arent terrified at the prospect of an evangelical zealot running the DOJ are religious fanatics and evangelical extremists like Jeff Sessions and Mike Pence.
h/t Patheos
Christian Reconstructionists, Danbury Baptists, dominionists, Establishment Clause, evangelical fanatics, jeff sessions, religious clauses, religious Republicans, separation of church and state, sessions attorney general, Theocracy, thomas jefferson
Go here to read the rest:
Jeff Sessions Believes the First Amendment Separation Clause Is Unconstitutional - PoliticusUSA
- Ilya Shapiro is back . . . with a new book First Amendment News 458 - Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression - February 20th, 2025 [February 20th, 2025]
- People exercising their First Amendment rights aren't 'wreckers' | Letters - South Bend Tribune - February 20th, 2025 [February 20th, 2025]
- Trump bans AP and words he doesn't like. 'Free speech' was never about First Amendment. | Opinion - USA TODAY - February 20th, 2025 [February 20th, 2025]
- Silenced: The Joby Weeks Case and the Erosion of First Amendment Rights - NewsBreak - February 20th, 2025 [February 20th, 2025]
- White House barring AP from press events violates the First Amendment - Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- A New Hampshire town and a bakery owner are headed for trial in a First Amendment dispute - The Associated Press - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- New Hampshire town and bakery take their 'First Amendment' legal battle over colossal pastry mural to trial - New York Post - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- A.P. Accuses White House of Violating First Amendment - The New York Times - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- First Amendment law legend: Fight back - Freedom of the Press Foundation - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- First Amendment in Trump's second term: 'We're going to be busy,' free speech group says - Tallahassee Democrat - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Expression Over Radio Waves Is Not Exempt from the First Amendment - The Federalist Society - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Iowa lawmakers try again to pass anti-SLAPP bill expediting First Amendment cases - Iowa Capital Dispatch - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Three Senators Blast FCC for 'Weaponizing its Authority,' Cite First Amendment Concerns - Adweek - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- The AP says Trump blocking its reporter from Oval Office over not using Gulf of America "violates the First Amendment" - CBS News - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Wave of state-level AI bills raise First Amendment problems - Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Legendary First Amendment lawyer begs press to fight Trumps attacks - Freedom of the Press Foundation - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Timothy Zicks Executive Watch: Introduction First Amendment News 457 - Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Trump accused of violating First Amendment after AP reporter barred from event over Gulf of America renaming - The Independent - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Editorial: Trump goes to war on the First Amendment - Detroit News - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Voices are meant to be heard: the First Amendment and you - Northern Iowan - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- CBS News Lesley Stahl to be honored at First Amendment Awards - Editor And Publisher Magazine - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- The AP says Trump blocking its reporter from Oval Office over not using Gulf of America violates the First Amendment - KWTX - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Trump takes another dump on the First Amendment - Daily Kos - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Spreading the news and defending the First Amendment since August 1787 - Lexington Herald Leader - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Publishing Pro-Hamas Propaganda Is Protected by First Amendment - Reason - February 7th, 2025 [February 7th, 2025]
- "Title VI Must Be Applied Consistent with First Amendment Principles" - Reason - February 7th, 2025 [February 7th, 2025]
- Coming soon: Executive Watch Tracking the Trump Administrations free speech record First Amendment News 456 - Foundation for Individual Rights and... - February 7th, 2025 [February 7th, 2025]
- Q&A: Professor emphasizes the impact the TikTok ban could have on the First Amendment - Elon News Network - February 7th, 2025 [February 7th, 2025]
- First Amendment Audit of ELPD Draws Widespread Attention Online - East Lansing Info - February 7th, 2025 [February 7th, 2025]
- Groups demand U.S. attorney for D.C. respect First Amendment - Freedom of the Press Foundation - February 7th, 2025 [February 7th, 2025]
- Maryland age assurance lawsuit shows NetChoice digging in on First Amendment - Biometric Update - February 7th, 2025 [February 7th, 2025]
- What does the first amendment protect during public comment? - Spectrum News 1 - February 7th, 2025 [February 7th, 2025]
- FOX News Trey Yingst to be honored at First Amendment Awards - Editor And Publisher Magazine - February 7th, 2025 [February 7th, 2025]
- NetChoice sues to block Marylands Kids Code, saying it violates the First Amendment - The Verge - February 7th, 2025 [February 7th, 2025]
- Stevens: Oklahoma tests First Amendment in move to fund Catholic charter school - The Post and Courier - February 7th, 2025 [February 7th, 2025]
- OPINION: Keeping the First Amendment on Facebook - Lebanon Reporter - February 7th, 2025 [February 7th, 2025]
- RFK Jr. wants to ban pharma ads on TV. The First Amendment may have something to say. - MSNBC - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Standing Up for the First Amendment: The Roundtable Submits Comment Letter Opposing Amicus Brief Disclosure Requirements - Philanthropy Roundtable - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Trial begins in First Amendment suit against St. John the Baptist Parish - The Lens NOLA - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- RCFP reviews Pam Bondis record on newsgathering, First Amendment issues - Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Texas county challenges First Amendment ruling on library book bans in 5th Circuit hearing - Yahoo! Voices - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Trump "Global Gag Rule" as to Abortion Likely Doesn't Violate the First Amendment - Reason - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- It was a violation of our First Amendment rights: FIU students react to the TikTok ban - PantherNOW - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- CWRU First Amendment clinic receives crucial grant from the Stanton Foundation - Crain's Cleveland Business - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Matt Gaetz says the First Amendment was "harmed gravely" by January 6 prosecutions - Media Matters for America - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- New FCC Chair Revives Complaints About ABC, CBS And NBC Content That His Predecessor Rejected As "At Odds With The First Amendment" -... - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- Trumps stated promise: Stop all government censorship and his free speech Executive Order First Amendment News 454 - Foundation for Individual Rights... - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- We Must Protect The First Amendment At All Costs vs. No Thanks, Ill Just Take My Freedoms For Granted Until They Disappear - The Onion - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- TikTok and the First Amendment Robert G. Natelson - Law & Liberty - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- De Pere man sued city of Green Bay for violating his First Amendment rights. The city settled. - Green Bay Press Gazette - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- UChicago Student Sues University, Alleging First Amendment and Tenant Rights Violations - The Chicago Maroon - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- Dr. Rand Paul Introduces Free Speech Protection Act to Safeguard Americans First Amendment Rights Against Government Censorship - Senator Rand Paul - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- Capistrano School District Accused of Trampling First Amendment Rights of Student - California Globe - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- Jerry Zahorchak | Keeping the First Amendment on Facebook | Columns | tribdem.com - TribDem.com - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- 2 blockbuster cases about the First Amendment and online speech - The Hill - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- The First Amendment is First for a Reason - The Wilson Quarterly - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- Takeaways from the Supreme Courts TikTok decision and what it may mean for the First Amendment - CNN - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Oral Argument in TikTok v. Garland: Does the First Amendment Apply, and How? - The Federalist Society - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- TikTok, HamHom, and the First Amendment - Reason - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Supreme Court weighs First Amendment rights and porn in Texas case - NPR - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- "Strong stand for the First Amendment": TikTok announces U.S. return after Trump promise to stay ban - Salon - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- FCCs Rosenworcel Takes Parting Swipe at Incoming Trump Administration Over First Amendment - TV Technology - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Upholding TikTok ban, Supreme Court attacks First Amendment ahead of Trump inauguration - WSWS - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Rand Paul Reacts to TikTok Ruling: 'Violation of the First Amendment' - Newsweek - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Supreme Court Denies TikTok First Amendment Pass, Effectively Shuttering the Social Media Platform in the U.S. on Jan. 19 Unless Sold to Third Party -... - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- "Satan loves the First Amendment" banner lawsuit allowed to proceed against Broward schools - CBS News - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Claim Against School Board That Refused to Display "Satan Loves the First Amendment" Banner Can Go Forward - Reason - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- First Amendment gives way to national security: Countdown on for TikTok - Virginia Mercury - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Settlement puts Disneys business interests above First Amendment - Freedom of the Press Foundation - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks Protect Tennessee Minors Act Over First Amendment Concerns - SValleyNow.com | Local News for Marion County and the... - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Sullivan and the Central Meaning of the First Amendment Lee Levine & Matthew Schafer - Law & Liberty - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
- Tennessee age verification law blocked from taking effect due to First Amendment concerns - WZTV - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
- FIRE to SCOTUS: TikTok ban violates Americans' First Amendment rights - Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
- Ald. Jim Gardiner Agrees to Pay $157K to Settle Lawsuit Claiming He Violated First Amendment by Blocking Critics From Official Facebook Page - WTTW... - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
- First Amendment the first casualty in Oklahoma school chiefs weird war on woke | Opinion - Wichita Eagle - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
- Donald Trump Asks Supreme Court to Delay TikTok Ban Over First Amendment Concerns - TheWrap - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
- How Washington State Stifles the First Amendment for the Incarcerated - Solitary Watch - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Opinion | Theres Still Time for the Senate to Support the First Amendment - The New York Times - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- First Amendment Censorship Claims Against Stanford Internet Observatory Can Go Forward to Discovery as to Jurisdiction and Standing - Reason - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- S. Ct. Will Hear First Amendment Challenge to TikTok Divestment on Jan. 10 - Reason - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]