Posted on 03/04/2005 10:48:33 AM PST by SwinneySwitch
I don't know how many people have walked past the Ten Commandments displayed on the Capitol grounds in Austin, but as best as I can tell, no one has ever been converted.
I've read no reports of thieves, overcome by the words "Thou Shalt Not Steal," turning themselves in to police.
I've heard no accounts of husbands, pricked by the words "Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery," confessing to their wives.
I've not heard of one crooked politician becoming honest after passing by that big rock. But I know of many who remained dishonest and went to jail.
So what's the big deal?
The words penned recorded by Moses thousands of years ago aren't sparking religious revival in Austin. But they're sparking controversy all over America.
Do they belong on government property or don't they?
Atheists, secularists and some religious people say they don't. More than three out of four Americans say they do.
Opponents of such displays of the Decalogue say government shouldn't endorse religion, that the commandments violate the separation of church and state.
In this case, those arguments ring hollow; they seem rooted in a weird fear of God, which is ironic since many people who spout the anti-commandment rhetoric say they don't believe in God.
How is that possible?
It was once said that a Puritan was someone who stayed awake all night, afraid that somebody somewhere was having fun.
In a way, it's like that with atheists. Many nonbelievers worry that somebody somewhere is turning to an imaginary God.
From the Web site of American Atheists: "We also urge you to share Atheism with friends and family. We need to be activists for Atheism. By making your Atheism known to others, you will be surprised how easy it becomes for others to admit that perhaps they, too, are Atheists! The world will become a less lonely place in an otherwise unrelenting religious society."
Yes, atheists proselytize. They and others are trying to curb the advancement of religion and erase all mention of the Almighty.
From the inscriptions on our currency, "In God We Trust," to the words in the Pledge, "One nation under God," those with a phobia of God are trying to strike his name from the nation's historical record.
On Wednesday, opponents of the Ten Commandments displayed in Austin argued their case before the U.S. Supreme Court. Apparently, their assertion made little sense to Justice Anthony Kennedy. He wondered aloud about "this obsessive concern with anything religious."
As Erwin Chemerinsky pleaded the case for a homeless plaintiff seeking removal of the display, Kennedy offered some common sense: "If an atheist walks by, he can avert his eyes."
Kennedy, hardly the court's most conservative justice, also expressed concern that banning the display might "show a hostility to religion."
It's worth noting that the rock in question has not stirred any controversy until now.
The Fraternal Order of Eagles donated the monument in 1961 and it was installed about 75 feet from the Capitol. America's most famous atheist, Madalyn Murray O'Hair, lived in the shadow of the Decalogue in Austin for decades.
She was so concerned about the monument she ignored it.
If you believe that O'Hair didn't know about the display, you might as well believe she prayed with the pope.
I'm sure she visited the Capitol and walked past the 3-by-6-foot slab of granite a few times. I'm sure she hissed. I'm sure she cursed.
But as far as anyone knows, she never sued; she never protested.
As best as I can tell, it never led to O'Hair's conversion.
It's amazing that free-thinking, open-minded atheists and secularists are afraid of that big piece of granite in Austin.
To believe that the display poses a threat, you'd have to be as thick as the rock itself.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To reach Ken Rodriguez call (210) 250-3369 or e-mail krodriguez@express-news.net.
What do the elite in europe say?
Atheists are so intolerant, they can't stand to see any reminders of God.
This is a homeless, unemployed, LAWYER for those of you not in Austin. He also refuses to speak to KLBJ because they are so "right-wing". Think this helps Austin live up to its motto "Keep Austin Weird".
To obey God or not to obey God has always been according to one's free will.
Bill Mauer-Athiest-Theophobe Ping
Hey, that's it! We need to chant "deiphobe!" at these folks, just like gays do with the world "homophobe" at every possible opportunity. If its PC they're worried about, then it needs to become politically incorrect to be a "deiphobe"!
Whoever said that did not know the Puritans. The Puritans had lots and lots of kids. They didn't have those large families staying up late worrying about someone having fun. They were having fun themselves, in a Godly manner. :-)
Duh. Man has made himself god, and is therefore dreadfully frightened of the Real Thing.
It's like shining a light on cockroaches. They fear and loathe it, and cower in the dark corners, wishing it would go away.
By reducing the argument to "public space available" for the competing interests, we have an interesting condundrum.
Consider that the "Rock" and other similar artifacts are taking up so little room - should we not consider that the vacant space is therefore reserved unto atheism?
By that formula - JudeoChristian symbols must be increased 100 fold for proper representation.
Just a pondering.
I don't understand why people are so afraid of the TenCommandments or Christianity either. I'd like to put a sticker of the Ten Commandments on my bumper for everyone to look at during rush hour traffic. Wonder if I'd get any complaints.
Erwin Chemerinsky is a law professor at USC.
Priceless. I've got to remember this line- what a great comeback.
Do atheists really care about us poor believers who are oppressed by superstition? Or do they just desire affirmation? Gee, which could it be???
Um...I was referring to the homeless plaintiff.
O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. (Psalms 34:9)
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. (Psalms 111:10)
He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great. (Psalms 115:13)
Yes it's there. This is unbelievable, "Atheism" is indeed a religion, at least to them. But the question being, why spend so much time on this? If this world is all there is, why not enjoy it rather than trying to bring everyone else down?
What do the elite in europe say?
We'll find out when the SC rules.
And leftists are intolerant because they can't stand to see any reminders about not stealing, lying or murdering.
Moses was the deliverer of the message, but he didn't 'pen' them.
"The Lord our God has given us these fifteen...oops, Oy!...ten. TEN Commandments!"
--Mel Brooks in "History of the World, Part I"
God is. To pretend otherwise has grave consequences.
Someone needs to inform these idiots of three basic facts:
1) This country was founded on Christian principles - it was an integral part if this Nation from day one!
2) "Separation of Church and State" was a concept to keep the government out of the church...not vice-versa!
3) "Freedom of Religion" does not mean freedom FROM religion!
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