About 400 college students braved the rainy weather today to attend the kickoff of the week-long National Conservative Student Conference hosted by Young America's Foundation.
The students come from 36 states and 180 schools, from Auburn University in Alabama to Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota. Today they heard speakers such as Bay Buchanan and Seattle radio talk-show host Kirby Wilbur. Mr. Wilbur disputed the claim of some liberals that the Constitution bars religion from the public square. The Founders simply wanted to avoid having a federal established church, such as the Anglican Church in England, Mr. Wilbur said. In fact, several states had established churches supported by tax dollars, such as the Congregational Church in Connecticut.
The conference, held at George Washington University, continues through Friday. Speakers will include Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, syndicated columnist Robert Novak, economist Walter Williams, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and former Sen. George Allen.
-- Kevin Vance and Elizabeth Miller, national news interns, The Washington Times
Comments (2)
It is exciting to see someone besides the ACLU discussing the real meaning of separation of church and state. My only concern is that the mainstream media is liberal biased and like the skeptics of global warming the YAF will be shouted down by the lack of coverage leading to OPEN dialogue.
Posted by Larry Stone | July 31, 2007 2:26 AM
Let me kick off the post wars by stating that the Constitution does allow for religious expression in public settings, including displays of religous text on local, state, or federal property, as the Constitution states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;"
It is that last part "or the free expressions thereof" that some people seem to forget.
Posted by Ray | July 31, 2007 9:58 AM