Eegore wrote on 10/19/19 at 18:54:41:


a computer......????

Maybe if you used a tool like a self help book, etc.....

"Define separation of church and state."

 Well the argument that the words "separation of church and state" not being in the Constitution is correct but it essentially stops there unless the argument is exclusively about only the words and not how the Constitution is applied.  That's another discussion going way back to Roger Williams in 1664.

 The phrasing in the Constitution means the same thing, just using different words:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof

 The state can not require any person, institution etc. to practice a specific type of religion.  It also can not prohibit the practice of religion, within reason, for instance sacrificing humans and animals, or creating a religion that allows adults to rape or murder children etc.

 Government funding can not be used to teach or educate a specific religion.  Publicly held offices can not require a specific religion.  Funding medical centers that refuse procedures based off of religion.  Government employment that allows for non-religious exemptions but does not allow for religious exemptions.  

 
There is also Article 6:

No religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.

 This whole thing in public schools has been clarified more in Engal v Vitale.

 Also 403 U.S. 602, 612-13 further exemplifies the process.

 505 U.S. 577 covers coercion.

  492 U.S. 573 covers endorsement.

 

"a computer......????

Maybe if you used a tool like a self help book, etc....."

 Yes a computer.  As in a "tool".  You used the term:

"lets call it a tool from our societal toolbox"

 Isn't there a significant difference between a job or public school requiring someone to use a tool, like a computer versus a tool like the bible?

 Besides nobody is removing the societal tool of religion from anyone, they are just saying you can't make someone else use it too.

Eegore wrote on 10/19/19 at 20:42:24:



And yet, schools have squashed children who were trying to hand out Christmas cards..

Supreme court would not have had to overturn it
Were it not so.

Let's iron this out first..
Or are you determined to stand on
Christianity has not been shoved out?

"And yet, schools have squashed children who were trying to hand out Christmas cards..

Supreme court would not have had to overturn it
Were it not so."

 Can you reference what you are talking about?  What Supreme Court ruling?

 Also was it exclusively Christmas Cards, or all religious cards?

 As far as I know the US Supreme Court has never made a ruling regarding Christmas in the public education system.  What did they overturn?