Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Kennedy Was Champion Of Church-State Separation


Americans United Church-State Watchdog Group Mourns Passing Of Massachusetts Senator
August 26, 2009

The Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, today issued the following statement on the death of U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.):


“Sen. Ted Kennedy was a great champion of church-state separation. It’s not just that he consistently voted to support that principle he really got it. He deeply understood that only a high and firm wall of separation between church and state could protect our liberties. He knew the reasons why our Founders established church-state separation and why we need to preserve it. He got how church-state separation protects the rights of both religious and non-religious people.


“One of the things that made Sen. Kennedy so effective was his powerful presence. I first met him in the 1970s during a meeting designed to address issues of concern to residents of Washington, D.C. There were probably 40 people in the room, all squabbling about how to proceed. When Sen. Kennedy walked in, all talking stopped. He outlined a plan of action, and we divided up the work.

complete at: http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/archives/2009/08/kennedy-was-champion-of.html

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