Category: First Amendment

America, Bill of Rights, Citizenship, criminal justice, Culture, Ethics, fear, First Amendment, Story1 Comment

The Bill of Rights is More Than Two

Gary Furr

Since we all claim to know what the first and second amendments of the Bill of Rights mean (although I have severe doubts about that), let’s reconsider and reacquaint ourselves with amendments 3-8.  Amendment III No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. Amendment IV The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon … Continue reading The Bill of Rights is More Than Two

America, church, Citizenship, Ethics, First Amendment, Politics, Story

Revisiting the First Amendment

Gary Furr

A book worth your time. I bought this book and read it as part of my preparation to teach my class on Religion and the First Amendment at Auburn University for the OLLI program (adult lifelong learning). We had 37 students, mostly retired professionals, former professors, religiously diverse, and a few “nones.” It was a great class, robust discussion, deep love for this country and worry about the blurred lines of the present. This book, along with several others by Jon Meacham, Edwin Gaustadt, John Fea and older work by Martin Marty, Sydney Ahlstrom and others, along with original works … Continue reading Revisiting the First Amendment

America, Christian Nationalism, Citizenship, Constitution, Culture, First Amendment, Politics, Story

Universal, Inalienable, Non-negotiable

Gary Furr

I keep coming across so many wonderful and true quotations in my preparations for the class. I am teaching at Auburn for the Oshner Lifelong Learning Institute this fall on the First Amendment and Freedom of Religion. The U.S. Constitution is “the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man”—William Ewart Gladstone, the British Prime Minister, North American Review, Sept./Oct. 1878. Every week, my class and I recite the First Amendment out loud together, sensing together the power of Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and the founders, who had the courage and … Continue reading Universal, Inalienable, Non-negotiable

America, Citizenship, Conflict, Constitution, First Amendment, Story

America’s Best Idea

Gary Furr

In times of great fear and anxiety, principles are more important than ever. In my reading I came across this thoughtful quote. “Justice Sandra Day O’Connor wrote in her final opinion on church–state matters: ‘Those who would renegotiate the boundaries between church and state must answer a difficult question: Why would we trade a system that has served us so well for one that has served others so poorly?’” Randall Balmer, AMERICA’S BEST IDEA:SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE The history of the efforts to have a union of the two are uniformly a history of oppression, violence, and the ruin … Continue reading America’s Best Idea

9-11, America, Baptist life, Christian Nationalism, Citizenship, Constitution, Culture, Ethics, First Amendment, Harrassment, humanity, Immigration, Interfaith Dialogue, Justice, Modern Life, Politics, September 11, spirituality, Terrorism1 Comment

Give Me Liberty and I’ll Give You Liberty, Too

Gary Furr

Religious freedom is either a principle or a convenient fiction. I once taught American church history at Samford University, and I at least know something about religion and American history. And on the matter of religious liberty, I am a fiery Baptist. It is a principle, not a convenience. If you are a real Baptist, you fight for EVERYBODY’S freedom.  My friend Glenn Hinson once wrote, “For faith to be genuine, it must be free.” That means unsupported by government, and free from government power over our conscience and the practice of faith as long as we do not interfere … Continue reading Give Me Liberty and I’ll Give You Liberty, Too