Censorsh** and the Constitution

A lawsuit was settled recently over the issue of prayer in a cemetery during mourning services. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the cemetery officials were accused by local veterans and volunteer groups of banning certain religious words from services. Such words included "God" and "Jesus." The article explains how the local group fought for its censorship rights and won out.

The Constitution, but more directly the Bill of Rights makes a clear statement disallowing censorship. Not only does the Bill of Rights pertain to this article because the veterans' rights of free speech were being infringed upon, but also because the freedom of religion is being attacked as well. The Bill of Rights states that everyone must be given opportunity to practice what religion they would like, and not allowing those to use the words "God" or "Jesus" is clearly unconstitutional. It is obvious, however, that while the Constitution was being drafted, the founders of America were more worried about their opinions being heard over that of the monarchial East. However, as America is now a decade into the 21st century, it is clear that things have changed. The same mindsets that our founding fathers had are no longer instilled into each politician. The same worries and problems that the Founders had to deal with are frankly no longer prevalent. However, censorship will always be in society, because without reading there is no knowledge, and with ignorance for some comes power for others.

The article about the VA prohibiting the use of certain words during religious ceremonies was handled rather quickly and easily but how many instances like this are going on in our society that we are not aware of? Censorship will lead to ignorance, and ignorance in a Democratic society means anarchy.