Ark. votes against church-state proposal

Bakersfield Californian ^ | 2/18/05 | AP - Little Rock

[NormsRevenge]

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - The state House on Friday voted against affirming the separation of church and state in a resolution brought by a legislator who said he was fed up with a religious undertone at the Capitol.

The House voted 44-39 against the proposal. Only two Republicans voted for it, and one of them, Rep. Jim Medley, said he had intended to vote no but didn't get to his machine in time to change his vote.

Democratic Rep. Buddy Blair said he offered the measure because he was tired of conservative colleagues "making every issue into a religious issue."

"It's unbelievable to me. They have just voted against the U.S. Constitution and the constitution of the state of Arkansas," Blair said.

Legislators have offered bills this session to keep gay people from adopting or serving as foster parents; define marriage in school textbooks as a one-man, one-woman union; require minors to get a parent's permission before an abortion; and offer "In God We Trust" license plates.

Republican Rep. Michael Lamoureux said Blair's resolution wasn't needed.

"It's clear that our founding fathers, that they wanted Christian beliefs," Lamoureux said. "The separation of church and state is not in our Constitution."

[Sloth]

They conveniently omit the relevant text of the resolution.

[LauraleeBraswell]

""separation of church and state""

Does not exist in the Constitution. And when Jefferson wrote it, He probably meant a Church as in The Church of England or as in the Lutheran Church of Germany.

A Statewide Church is a church run by the government. Everyone must abide by the governments branch of Christianity.
The US was founded under GOD , but not under a specific branch of Christianity. Respecting an Establishment of religion means just that- The US government cannot enforce a specific church

[LauraleeBraswell]

I'm not surprised with Arkansas. I'm really not. I wonder how the Clinton Library and massage parlor is doing now, Not well I heard.

[LauraleeBraswell]

""Only two Republicans voted for it, and one of them, Rep. Jim Medley, said he had intended to vote no but didn't get to his machine in time to change his vote.""

no comment needed

[little jeremiah]

Ping to self for later pingout.

[Arkinsaw]

""Only two Republicans voted for it, and one of them, Rep. Jim Medley, said he had intended to vote no but didn't get to his machine in time to change his vote.""

no comment needed

I'm surprised he was even in the building. Our legislature is Democratic and has been for 150 years. 150 years. During that time, we have progressed from 50th to 49th generally. We are figuring on giving the Democrats another 4 or 500 years to get their act together. I swear, if the Democrats can't get us to 48th in that time we are gonna toss the bums out.