2008 Woodie Awards
Constitution Day celebration at LC
DeCecco speaks on separation of church and state
Nicole Holland
Issue date: 9/20/07 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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Sheboygan District Attorney, Joe DeCecco, spoke at the third annual Lakeland Constitution Day address on Tuesday Sept 18. His address was not only a recap on the history of our country, but was an unbiased account of the "Separation of Church and State," so eloquently coined by Thomas Jefferson.
DeCecco started his speech off by saying, "If I personally offend you, I don't mean to, but these things need to be talked about." This day, dedicated to our Constitution, was important for the students to recognize because not only did the framers create the Constitution, but they made it flexible. DeCecco made the point that our adaptable Constitution has held up against time and technological advancements. The flexibility is one of the reasons it works.
The topic of the speech was indirectly related to the Constitution. However the first Amendment states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…" This "Pro-religious Amendment," as DeCecco put it, is the reason behind the 'separation.' Upheld by the Supreme Court, the first Amendment is vital to the freedoms of every person in our nation.
Puritan, Roger Williams said, "Forced worship stinks in God's nostrils."
DeCecco used his earlier public educational memories as an example of why the Amendment is in place. He stated that some of his Jewish elementary school classmates were 'forced' to say the Lord's Prayer, so they would not feel like the odd balls out. The restrictions on the administration of prayer in public schools today prevent discrimination against religions. This was the intent of this legislative act, and DeCecco made it clear that the intent needs to be understood.
To be clear, he said, "I do believe in the Separation of Church and State." To conclude the convocation, DeCecco urged the audience to research more about this topic, and other topics that affect our everyday lives.
DeCecco started his speech off by saying, "If I personally offend you, I don't mean to, but these things need to be talked about." This day, dedicated to our Constitution, was important for the students to recognize because not only did the framers create the Constitution, but they made it flexible. DeCecco made the point that our adaptable Constitution has held up against time and technological advancements. The flexibility is one of the reasons it works.
The topic of the speech was indirectly related to the Constitution. However the first Amendment states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…" This "Pro-religious Amendment," as DeCecco put it, is the reason behind the 'separation.' Upheld by the Supreme Court, the first Amendment is vital to the freedoms of every person in our nation.
Puritan, Roger Williams said, "Forced worship stinks in God's nostrils."
DeCecco used his earlier public educational memories as an example of why the Amendment is in place. He stated that some of his Jewish elementary school classmates were 'forced' to say the Lord's Prayer, so they would not feel like the odd balls out. The restrictions on the administration of prayer in public schools today prevent discrimination against religions. This was the intent of this legislative act, and DeCecco made it clear that the intent needs to be understood.
To be clear, he said, "I do believe in the Separation of Church and State." To conclude the convocation, DeCecco urged the audience to research more about this topic, and other topics that affect our everyday lives.
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