Saturday, February 19, 2005  Governed by conscience?  by Mark
West  As his bill, HR1005 failed to be passed in the Arkansas
House, Representative Buddy Blair (D – Fort Smith) said,
“Apparently, the churches are dictating how they vote, not their
conscience.” Blair argued that those voting against his bill
were in essence voting against both the United States and
Arkansas Constitutions.  Representative Blair’s above suggestion
creates a concern in my heart. I’m concerned that our future
will see similar efforts to abridge our First Amendment rights.
Even more problematic was that the First Amendment is cited as a
reason for abridging it.  (continued in comments)   Blogger Mark
West said...  (continued from column)  The First Amendment of
the United States Constitution state that, “Congress shall make
no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting
the free exercise thereof.” Representative Blair’s argument was
that the first clause, also known as the establishment clause,
was written to prevent