For Mormonism Black men could go to heaven ONLY as slaves?

Religion breeds pure waste of time ignorance.

The Constitution doesn't contain the phrase, but Thomas Jefferson and James Madison used that exact phrase to explain what the purpose was of religion clauses of the constitution. But I'm sure they had no idea what they were talking about being that they were only 2 of the most influential founding fathers, 1 of whom was the father of the constitution.

Love the sarcasm, thanks.

They also talked about the importance of morality and religious piousness in the individual lives of those called to lead the country and those citizens whose responsibility it is to vote good men to power.

Are there any good men left in politics?

Not all of the Founding Fathers believed that for a person to be moral they had to be religious, if that's what you're implying. And I think you should acknowledge as fact that the idea of separation of church and state originates from out Founding Father's and their constitutional intent and that Maher is not ignorant about this issue . The phrase "freedom of expression" and the word "democracy" aren't in the constitution either but you wouldn't say that the concepts aren't in it would you?

I have no respect for Maher.  Not simply because his crude and disrespectful portrayal of Mormonism.

I see him as a clown that mouths off for entertainment, but in so doing (because he is famous) actually convinces people that what he says is true.

That's the problem with celebrity these days. They lure the incredulous who simply are googled-eyed because this person has their own show.

Look, I can understand why you'd take offense to Bill Maher. He makes fun of your religion. Fine, so contradict him. Give evidence that Joseph Smith was right. Explain why the morals of Mormonism are superior to other faiths.

But you don't do yourself any good by calling him ignorant about separation of church and state when we know that the words and concept originated with the men who wrote the Constitution. And you certainly don't lend credibility to yourself by calling atheism a religion.

As for the founding fathers, when I read through their speeches and other documents - yes, of course, I see these themes that we Americans so cherish today, like "freedom of expression."

However, I believe the church and state issue has been taken past what the founding fathers intended.  There was much more religion in politics in the 1700s and 1800s.

Atheism, which I view simply as another religion, has now replaced previous theologies as the new "religion."

This is not a good thing.

First off, you started out accusing Maher of being ignorant of the origins of separation of church and state...that it isn't a constitutional principle. Now you seem to be arguing that it doesn't matter because the Founders were religious (several were not) and it influenced their politics.

Also, explain how the heck not believing in religion is a religion? By that logic every belief or non-belief must be religion.

Your personal belief system, lifestyle, daily rituals all make up your personal religion, my friend, regardless of whether it has a name or 13 million other people believe likewise.

Look up the definition for religion.

It is NOT constitutional, in that "separation of Church and State" is not in the Constitution. I stand by that argument bc it is true.

Just because it came from ideas given by people who wrote the constitution does not make it part of the constitution - the actual document.

I just looked up 3 different definitions of religion and they all necessitate belief in a deity, something divine, or something supernatural. I don't know dictionary you've been reading.

But more importantly, it does mean separation of church and state is in the constitution if the people who wrote the constitution say they put it in the constitution! And it's what gives you the right to practice Mormonism.