| 
|
Page: Profile: Wren's Nest News Local
| Total Views: 4,945,599
|
Article: 13331
[Politics]
Date Posted:
7/1/2005
3:57:35 pm EDT
Wvox Stats
Views: 7,223
RSS: 10,010
Comments: 23
|
House Introduces Religious Freedom Amendment
Author: Dakota Voice Source: Dakota Voice (SD)
Title: HOUSE INTRODUCES RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AMENDMENT
Yesterday, Rep. Ernest Istook (R-OK) and Sanford Bishop (D-GA) led a bipartisan coalition of over 100 Congressmen and several pro-family groups in introducing a constitutional amendment to protect religious expression on public property. The group held a press conference near the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court.
The proposed Religious Freedom Amendment (RFA) would reverse this week’s Supreme Court order that the Ten Commandments must be removed from a Kentucky courthouse. The amendment also would protect voluntary prayer at schools and other religious speech on public property.
Additional Article Link: [Click HERE]
| Options: [Read Full Story] [Comments Locked]
[Email to a Friend]
|
|
Community Thoughts: There are 23 comments posted | Reverse Sort |
| 'Every' Head Bowed? Not Mine! | Jul 2nd. at 7:35:59 pm EDT
|
Sunfell (Little Rock, Arkansas) - Email Me - Web
Someone mentioned getting dirty looks when they neglected to bow their heads in a government or community prayer setting.
I never do so myself, and in fact, use the prayer as an opportunity to silently seek out fellow skeptics and non-participants. We exchange winks and nods of recognition of belonging to that silently suffering group of People Trapped by Praying.
The Religious Freedom Amendment is another Dominionist thrust against genuine liberty, by disguising theocracy in what appears to be a palatable package. Rest assured: only one faith will be permitted this 'freedom'. All others will suffer the consequences of not being the 'correct' faith.
|
| Wow, What A Can Of Worms ... | Jul 2nd. at 12:31:52 pm EDT
|
Leafy (Albuquerque, New Mexico) - Email Me
... that will open up.
It looks to me like that amendment excludes non-theistic religions. So if people are all to approach a "god" in whatever form they choose, does that mean that suddenly Buddhism (for example) will not be recognized as a religion? We do not have a a "god" in any way, shape or form.
I might (only *might*) could buy that amendment if it said something like "care for their spiritual needs" instead of mentioning "God." This is so obviously a pander to the religious fanatical right wing that I don't understand how it got as far as it has.
|
| Typical One-sided View | Jul 2nd. at 10:43:35 am EDT
|
William (Pictou Landing, Nova Scotia) - Email Me
"That is the standard that should be applied to religious expression on public property, and the standard that the Religious Freedom Amendment follows. Abstain if you wish, but don’t try to censor everyone else. It’s a lesson in tolerance that we all need to learn."
The problem is, once you allow this 'ammendment', the schools will be overrun, zoos, courtrooms, not only with signs and monuments, but with groups of Christians standing around trying to convert others. It will open the doorway to intolerance, not the tolerance this man speaks of. Because when people reject their advances or literature, they will be prached to and told they are going to hell. And guess what, they will now have the right to do it.
As for protecting 'In God We Trust' etc, what about 'the people' who are atheist?
It really comes down to the wishes of the Christian majority ruling over everyone else, which once again is not treating everyone equally. When they speak of the 'majority' they are most certainly speaking of the 'Christian majority'... in fact, not once have I seen any concerns mentioned of protecting anything OTHER than Christian dogma and displays.
'In God we Trust' on money, 'Under God' in the pledge, displays of the Ten Commandments in courtrooms and public places. They want to create a loophole to remove the Supreme Court from the picture, because that is the only thing standing in their way in making the US a Christian nation. Even if if ammendment DID allow for all religions to do the same things.... do you think a Christian group peddling their wares would tolerate a small Wiccan group next to them doing the same thing? I can smell the tolerance now.
They know they have a bigger army, more money and power, and are more capable of pushing their views once they are given access to the public arenas. These people aren't stupid... they have an agenda and are working towards it.
|
| This Is A Very Interesting Mix. | Jul 2nd. at 10:35:40 am EDT
|
AutumnWind (Bushnell, Florida) - Email Me
The bottom line will be looked at from whatever point of view your standing at, as there are the total population there will be advantage or disadvantage points.
I'm the type of person who tries to take the best society has to offer, using the many different cultures to add color to my experiences and discarding what I don't like. As far as the admendment goes, well as the old saying goes, "If you look hard enough for anything, you will eventually find it".
Is it good, is it bad, depends on what point your looking from. Are you going to be taken advantage of, or are you going to take advantage of it?
|
| The Kids Are Gonna Love This | Jul 2nd. at 9:47:43 am EDT
|
arinna (Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina) - Email Me
the last part of the ammendment states that no one shall be forced to pray or PARTICIPATE IN RELIGIOUS EVENTS. However if they take the first part of the ammendment to it's logical conclusion, it will make school a religious event.
How quickly do you think some kids will realize this law says they don't have to go?
|
| Let's Take Advantage Of This | Jul 1st. at 10:58:36 pm EDT
|
Sylvanis (Louisville, Texas) - Email Me
Well,
If this does come to pass, let us all try and take advantage of it and damand the rede be right next to the 10 commandments in every courtroom.
The main issue I have with this, is the majority religions will dominate. There are so many faiths out there, some are very small, and those will be the ones hurt by this. But I still feel paganism, especially Wicca can benifit from this if we take initiative.
|
| An Amendment To Protect Public Hypocrisy | Jul 1st. at 10:49:28 pm EDT
|
bigcat (peoria, Illinois) - Email Me
ah yes, a law that would protect brutal public hypocrisy. on the surface it sounds pretty, but between the lines one can read that they are trying to legislate the right to proselytize and harrass those citizens that do not wish to join their liitle prayer group because they don't believe in "their" way.
it has become a sorry state in that what is essentially a source of comfort for some has now become a weapon used to try to beat others into submission to the will of the self serving.
|
| It Will Never Fly ... | Jul 1st. at 10:01:54 pm EDT
|
Rev Jorinx (Sioux City, Iowa) - Email Me - Web
“To secure the people’s right to acknowledge God according to the dictates of conscience:
The people retain the right to pray and to recognize their religious beliefs, heritage, and traditions on public property, including schools.
The United States and the States shall not establish any official religion nor require any person to join in prayer or religious activity.”
That will still not allow some activist judge to put the 10 commandments in the court house or in his or her court room. IMO this is 58 words of meaningless fluff. The sad thing is that much to much taxpayer money will be spent of hyping and deflating this nonsense.
How about this amendment?
"Any lawmaker introducing fluffy nonsense shall be required to reimburse the state and federal coffers for any monies thus wasted."
|
| Lions In The Park | Jul 1st. at 7:56:15 pm EDT
|
Terry (Irvington, Virginia) - Email Me
It might be optimistic to think this would protect a skyclad spiral dance, or a real Great Rite in the park. However, it might be easier to claim it covers Abrahamic law enforced alongside Sharia, as "original intent" clearly means worship of their god, and no others. Who'd like to invest in a lion farm with me, to make that more effective?
Muslim holy law calls for executing blasphemers of Allah like Istook, and merely cutting off body parts of other xtian supremacists. Pagans might do better restoring old Roman traditions, but demanding full enforcement of Judaic law upon doctrinal humanist Paulists (those liars and hypocrites who demand others act like xtians without doing so themselves) . One of Judaism's mandates is to rise up and kill an oppressor. Relative to values of most atheists and many pagans, supporting Istook's arrogance would be the legal test for becoming lion food, where that Abrahamic god could be worshiped by feeding the lions. We could keep a large herd of lions very well fed without much need for sources other than bible thumpers, the way the RRR is operating.
OTOH, as a political tactic, we might remind "good patriotic bible thumpers" of how Istook is trying to mandate that their kids join in worship of Allah at school and before public meetings.
As to legal tactics, it's difficult to challenge a Constitutional amendment's validity, but its effect can be shaped. The pending Supreme Court shift is a major part of that. If beyond that a standard of child abuse were adapted to treat indoctrination of any "one right way" supremacist hate cult's dogma as so at odds with diverse societal functional needs, all wrapped in a package of child psychology, in effect the worst of xtian parenting would become illegal, and restricted in both homes and schools regardless of this style of amendment.
While courts need a lot of enlightenment to get it that not all religions are institutional nor public spectacles, the atheist issue also applies. How can 14th Am. equal protections be applied to those for whom deities are irrelevant, if law favors theists? They might even care to join in worship as promoted by Istook's amendment, and buy a few more of our lions to speed up the process of eating oppressors.
Don't trust the Jains. They're known to sweep insects from the path before they step, rather than fumigate infestations.
Schools might even adopt new religion courses. Kids might find it interesting to learn how Sharia, Judaic law, xtian principles in their Calvinist forms, and Anton Levey's Satantic Bible (not satanist, but a Lex Talonis "justice" system) all have something in common. They all treat violent felonies as normal religious practice. Responsible, healthy parenting standards, anyone?
Find More info -- HERE
|
| Can Of Worms, Anyone? | Jul 1st. at 7:11:37 pm EDT
|
Ashen Soul (Angola, Indiana) - Email Me
I agree that this is a good thing.
They obviously don't know what they're pushing for.
I rather hope it gets passed, as it may make life a good deal more interesting.
~Ash
|
| Make No Mistake... | Jul 1st. at 5:45:07 pm EDT
|
Joseph (Byram, New Jersey) - Email Me
...this may have the trappings of balance, but it is entirely an attempt to impose the Tyrrany of hte Majority upon the minority. Three guesses which category the non-Christians fall into. It throws open the doors completely to intimidation by the majority.
It would most certainly allow judges to open court proceedings with overtly Christian prayers (how'd you like to be a Wiccan in a court case with a judge who prays "to open the hearts and minds of the wicked, and the sinners, and the pagans, to Christ's love"?) , and town councils across the country would be asking Jesus for divine guidance.
If this passes (and there are many years and several MAJOR hurdles to be crossed before such an amendment is ratified) , I fully intend to emigrate. For those who might share my sentiment, I offer the following website: [Web LINK]
Republic of Gilead here we come. I, for one, won't stay for the Grand Opening.
Find More info -- HERE
|
| This Is A Good Thing. | Jul 1st. at 5:15:21 pm EDT
|
Reverend Rat (Rochester, New Hampshire) - Email Me
I'm reading this and quite frankly, I like it.
Here's the thing:
The way I'm reading it, if the Temple of Set presents the courthouse with a 7 ton granite statue of Satan desecrating a bible, It may be unconstitutional for the state NOT TO install it there.
Second, the second half solidly affirms that we are NOT a Christian nation.
Methinks the would-be fascists are about to make a great big oops in favor of balancing the scales.
|
| Doubtful Of Any Progress | Jul 1st. at 4:52:26 pm EDT
|
ElspethR (Houston, Texas) - Email Me
Hmmm, all this basically does is insist public schools be available for religious worship. Yeah, the Pagan students might have a leg to stand on, but this is more geared to the Judeo/Xtians. That means the Xmas pageants will be school functions again... Remember, as long as only the Xtian holiday calendar is the only one supported (heck, even the Jewish kids don't get Hannukah off officially) , I doubt a Samhain program will be offered or mutual Eostre/Easter/Ostara displays. But they kids might want to try for it!
Argh,
Elspeth
|
| All Religions? Hah! | Jul 1st. at 4:18:25 pm EDT
|
Dee Moonhawk (Florence, Mississippi) - Email Me
“To secure the people’s right to acknowledge God according to the dictates of conscience:
The people retain the right to pray and to recognize their religious beliefs, heritage, and traditions on public property, including schools.
The United States and the States shall not establish any official religion nor require any person to join in prayer or religious activity.”
Are they leaving the door open for Pagan students to light incense or candles in school as part of "their religious beliefs, heritage, and traditions" -- I doubt it! They can dress this crap up any way they want, but we all know WHICH religions' so-called rights are being spoken of here, don't we?
As far as 'forcing' anyone to join in prayer -- try sitting with head unbowed during a prayer at ANY sort of gathering, government or otherwise, and see what happens. Dirty looks at the very least, being asked to leave at the very worst.
|
Disclaimer: The Witches' Voice inc does not verify the accuracy of the details stated in this listing, nor do we vouch for the value of the goods or services presented here... As with all contacts and financial dealings in cyberspace, we encourage you to use caution and wisdom in your dealings with strangers.
Political Statements: Any and all personal political opinions expressed in the public listing sections (including, but not restricted to, personals, events, groups, shops, Wren's Nest, etc.) are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinion of The Witches' Voice, Inc. TWV is a non-profit, non-partisan educational organization.
|
State/Country flags created by 3dflags.com and are used with permission
Web Site Content (including: text - graphics - html - look & feel)
Copyright 1997-2009 The Witches' Voice Inc. All rights reserved
Note: Authors & Artists retain the copyright for their work(s) on this website.
Unauthorized reproduction without prior permission is a violation of copyright laws.
Website structure, evolution and php coding by Fritz Jung on a Macintosh G5.
Any and all personal political opinions expressed in the public listing sections (including, but not restricted to, personals, events, groups, shops, Wren’s Nest, etc.) are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinion of The Witches’ Voice, Inc. TWV is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization.
Sponsorship: Visit the Witches' Voice Sponsor Page for info on how you
can help support this Community Resource. Donations ARE Tax Deductible.
The Witches' Voice carries a 501(c)(3) certificate and a Federal Tax ID.
Mail Us: The Witches' Voice Inc., P.O. Box 341018, Tampa, Florida 33694-1018 U.S.A.
| |
