Speech #980163949

I regret that subsequent lower court decisions have taken even greater steps to this end and created a chilling effect on religious freedom. Today. the notion that the state is the servant of the people and that the state has only those powers delegated to it by the people is derided as somehow being "quaint" or "impractical." Mr. President. the very purpose of the Pilgrims immigration to the shores of this vast continent was to find a place where they could practice their religion free of harassment by the state. Today. the United States. a nation founded for the purpose of religiousfreedom. jails the fathers of students in Nebraskas Christian schools because they will not submit to certification by the state. Today. the very words of the first amendment. which were intended to insure the free exercise of religion. are twisted in some ways to deny religious freedom or. if not to deny religious freedom. to deny all aspects of practicing that religious freedom as it might suit individuals desires.