Bible passage on Marion firetruck questioned

fortwayne.com ^

[chance33_98]

Bible passage on Marion firetruck questioned

Associated Press

MARION - A biblical verse painted on the city's new firetruck should be removed because it mixes government and religion, a city councilwoman said. Marion Fire Chief Steve Gorrell said department members considering slogans to go on the new truck settled on part of the 23rd Psalm: "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil."

"The firefighters wanted to put something on there to show the public how they represent themselves," Gorrell told the Chronicle-Tribune for a story Thursday.

The department chose the biblical passage over secular sayings such as, "While others are rushing out, we're rushing in," he said.

City Councilwoman Ann Secttor said the passage does not belong on a public vehicle.

"I don't think any part of religion should be mixed with politics," said Secttor, who is Jewish.

Fran Quigley, executive director of the Indiana Civil Liberties Union, said that posting a biblical verse on a public vehicle such as a firetruck could violate the constitutional separation of church and state. Quigley cited a ruling by the federal appeals court in Chicago that a city seal could not have a cross on it because the image would associate government with a particular religion.

[chance33_98]

So using a quote from the bible is considered endorsement of a religion? Somebody better tell the US Government that and the UN...

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[Alouette]

Maybe if they add this?...

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil because I am the toughest SOB in the valley...

[Esther Ruth]

Someone who walks through fire to save me can write whatever he wants on his truck!! God Bless these men!!

[Freedom4US]

"I don't think any part of religion should be mixed with politics," said Secttor, who is Jewish.

She doesn't act like it. Sounds like an Atheist, among the more odious creatures on the planet.

[Iscool]

Sounds like the firefighters want to secularize the Bible to suit their own purpose...So how's the rest of the verse go; "For God art with me"??? They dog gone sure better fear evil if God isn't with them...

[RightWhale]

"I don't think any part of religion should be mixed with politics," said Secttor

Beyond silly.

[Cicero]

They should just say, nonsense, it's a quotation from Pilgrim's Progress. And they are admirers of Bunyan's writings. Here's an extract from the web site:

When Christian had traveled in this disconsolate condition some considerable time, he thought he heard the voice of a man, as going before him, saying, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me" (Psa. 23:4).[100]

[dandelion]

They should tell her to go put out her own d*mn fire next time.

[squarebarb]

Let me quote it twice:

"You gotta lean to street-fight with these vermin."

[Ruth A.]

Here I sit in Hawaii where Good Friday is a state holiday. What a bunch of hypocritical dolts the ACLU is. Why don't they complain about seperation of church and state here? If they aren't going to complain, then why shouldn't there be Christmas break for Easter break?

[antiRepublicrat]

Yet again I, as an atheist, must apologize for my more activist brethren. I wouldn't mind, and I'd hope Christians wouldn't mind, "Confound not truth with falsehood, nor knowingly conceal the truth" from the Quran (2:42) in a courthouse. Why should this applicable passage be kept from the side of a firetruck?

[Beach_Babe]

Somewhere along the way, the Federal Courts and the Supreme Court have misinterpreted the U. S. Constitution. How could fifty States be wrong?

America's founders did not intend for there to be a separation of God and state, as shown by the fact that all 50 states acknowledge God in their state constitutions:

---

Alabama 1901, Preamble. We the people of the State of Alabama, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution ...

Alaska 1956, Preamble. We, the people of Alaska,_grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land ...

Arizona 1911, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution...

Arkansas 1874, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government...

California 1879, Preamble. We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom .

Colorado 1876, Preamble. We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe...

Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy ...

Delaware 1897, Preamble. Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences ...

Florida 1885, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Florida, grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty establish this Constitution...

Georgia 1777, Preamble. We, the people of Georgia, relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution...

Hawaii 1959, Preamble. We, the people of Hawaii, Grateful for Divine Guidance ... establish this Constitution.

Idaho 1889, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings .

Illinois 1870, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.

Indiana 1851, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to chose our form of government...

Iowa 1857, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings ... establish this Constitution

Kansas 1859, Preamble. We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges ... establish this Constitution.

Kentucky 1891, Preamble. We, the people of the Commonwealth of grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties...

Louisiana 1921, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy...

Maine 1820, Preamble. We the People of Maine .. acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of_the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an
opportunity ... and imploring His aid and direction.

Maryland 1776, Preamble. We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God or our civil and religious liberty...

Massachusetts 1780, Preamble. We...the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe
... in the course of His Providence, an opportunity...and devoutly imploring His direction .

Michigan 1908, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom ... establish this Constitution.

Minnesota 1857, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its
blessings...

Mississippi 1890, Preamble. We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work...

Missouri 1845, Preamble. We, the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness ... establish this Constitution ...

Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty. establish this Constitution...

Nebraska 1875, Preamble. We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom .. establish this Constitution

Nevada 1864, Preamble. We the people of the State of Nevada, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom establish this Constitution...

New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V. Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.

New Jersey 1844, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors .

New Mexico 1911, Preamble. We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty ...

New York 1846, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings...

North Carolina 1868, Preamble. We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him
for the continuance of those ...

North Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain...

Ohio 1852, Preamble. We the people of the state of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common ...

Oklahoma 1907, Preamble. Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty . establish this ...

Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I. Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences..

Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble. We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking
His guidance...

Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing ...

South Carolina, 1778, Preamble. We, the people of he State of South Carolina, grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

South Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of South Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for our civil! and religious liberties ... establish this...

Tennessee 1796, Art. XI.III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience...

Texas 1845, Preamble. We the People of the Republic of Texas, acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.

Utah 1896, Preamble. Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution ..

Vermont 1777, Preamble. Whereas all government ought to ... enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man...

Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI ... Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator ... can be directed only by Reason ... and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other
...

Washington 1889, Preamble. We the People of the State of Washington, grateful! to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution ...

West Virginia 1872, Preamble. Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia .. reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God...

Wisconsin 1848, Preamble. We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility ...

Wyoming 1890, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties ... establish this Constitution...

After reviewing acknowledgments of God from all 50 state constitutions, one is faced with the prospect that maybe, just maybe, the ACLU and the out-of-control federal courts are wrong!

"Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants."
William Penn

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

[tomball]

"I don't think any part of religion should be mixed with politics," said Secttor, who is Jewish.

I don't think any part of politics should be mixed with our right to religious freedom or  freedom of speech.  In that this politician deems herself above the law in this regard, proves she has no business holding the office she pretends to protect -  at the taxpayer's expense, no less.  

Please note that the crux of her statement is, "I don't think...."  Based on this self admitted fact alone, no one in that community should take her seriously. Also,  based on her statement, it is quite obvious that she clearly does not think.  (I certainly would not want her thinking for me.)   The bottom line is that the  firemen should stand their ground, and the  politician should be fired or booted from office.   If this politician can force words from being written on a truck, she can prevent any words from being spoken or written anywhere else her stiff neck deems fit.

Anyone who doesn't like what's on the firemen's truck does not have to read it.  That is the beauty of freedom.  Just because a fire truck  has a passage from the Bible written on it doesn't mean that the truck is proselytizing the community any more than this anti-religious bigot who hasn't got the sense to turn her head if she is offended by it. 

 

[Terry Mross]

When are these people going to learn the constitution says nothing about the separation of church and state?

[FoxPro]

If the "no establishment clause" was adhered to as strickly as "right to keep and bear arms" it would be legal to own an thermo-nuclear device.

[kailbo]

Yet again I, as an atheist, must apologize for my more activist brethren. I wouldn't mind, and I'd hope Christians wouldn't mind, "Confound not truth with falsehood, nor knowingly conceal the truth" from the Quran (2:42) in a courthouse. Why should this applicable passage be kept from the side of a firetruck?

Historically speaking, this nation was founded by christians and deists who recognized judeo-christian values. That's not open for debate.

So, in light of our founding fathers, it is only right that we perpetuate their ideals.

Having said that, their is NO separation between church and state and if a predominantly muslim firestation decided to put the above cited verse on its truck, I wouldn' have a problem with it.

[Kirkwood]

Come on down to my city. We still say a prayer before each city meeting and say the Pledge of Allegiance with the words "under God".

[onedoug]

I've got another "religious" quote for that city council.

[onedoug]

Do you live in Willowby?