Posted on 08/19/2008 4:40:28 PM PDT by tcg
Rev. Barry Lynn is the self appointed watch dog who runs “Americans United for the Separation of Church and State”; a well funded 501 c3 exempt public policy and educational organization. I am well acquainted with Rev. Lynn.
For years, while I served as the first Executive Director of the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), in the 19990’s, a public interest law firm committed to an authentic view of religious freedom, we crossed paths quite a few times. He still regularly debates my friend, the Chief Counsel for the ACLJ, and noted Supreme Court Advocate, Jay Sekulow.
I will admit something up front.
I believe that Barry Lynn’s interpretation of the Establishment Clause, Free Speech Clause and Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution is simply wrong. It is not faithful to history, it is not a proper reading of Constitutional law, it is not good for the public order and it does not promote or serve the common good.
This clause was never intended by the American founders to prevent religious groups from full participation in the public square not to censor out religious speech or the religious speaker from civic participation.
The “Establishment Clause” is better understood as an “anti-Establishment Clause” because it was intended to prevent the erection of a National Church. Of course, as a Catholic, I am quite sensitive to the fact that the early colonies were not, for the most part, very Catholic friendly. However, over time, that changed.
And, properly understood, the First Amendment to the United States Constitution has allowed for a robust diversity of religious expression (or non-expression) and the flourishing of a dynamic model of religious freedom in America. That is, when it is properly interpreted and applied.
(Excerpt) Read more at catholic.org ...
“in the 19990’s,”
Orly?
Psalm 14:1 The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.
Lynn and other so called liberal Christians must take a look at their own theology before compounding their own arrogance in dissing Evangelicals. I saw Tony Perkins and Tony Campolo on TV and wondering just how they looked at leadership with a moral foundation leading as a CIC as well as a domestic leader. Campolo supported Clinton. That for me was very negative. Lynn was also for Hil. I just keep wondering where in Scripture is the foundation of the DNC Platform. I just cannot fathom it.
Doesn't make them so........
He ought to take a lesson from Madalyn Murray O'Hair
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Every time Lynn opens his mouth he insults anyone and everyone of faith.
Honestly if he says one more time he is a man of faith I am going to vomit.
It strikes me as curious that anyone in this day and age could have a problem with Warren hosting a forum at Saddleback.
Is it because it just so happens that by having the forum in this venue, there would be a huuuuuuuge interest in what the candidates would say?
And what do these whiners who are taking Warren to task about his forum have to say relative to the Operation Push venue? How many politicians have spoken from that pulpit in that sanctuary? I personally hope that Warren has set a precedent for a forum from Saddleback.
At Saddleback, the stage was dressed quite differently from what it looks like during a worship service. I’ve worshiped at Saddleback and I wondered how Warren was going to do that.
Changing the subject somewhat, there’s that little matter of zillions of poll booths across this country that are in churches. Okay, so pastors tell me that the booths aren’t actually in the churches because they aren’t in the sanctuaries. Not my point. They are in the building.
Now, mind you, I don’t have a problem with the poll booths. But I do have a problem with political candidates making speaches for themselves from church pulpits.
I believe that pulpits in God’s house should be reserved for Gospel messages about salvation and the preaching of God’s word. So far, I’ve not ever seen a political candidate who can even come close to that. And until they do, they ought to stay out the pulpit.
— Jane
Last night on Hannity & Colmes, Colmes tried to bring up what Barry Lynn said and Hannity chimed in with “no one cares what Barry Lynn thinks.” I agree.
“...Honestly if he says one more time he is a man of faith I am going to vomit...”
But he IS a man of faith...faith in communism, socialism, secular humanism, and moral relatism.
He ain’t lyin’...he just ain’t tellin’ all, is all...
So don’t blow chunks yet...
I THINK that Barry Lynn was a Jew, who “turned” Christian, Started his anti-Chriswtian “Christian” group, JUST to antagonize the REAL Christians. I have NEVER heard him say anything that was CHRISTIAN...NEVER. He WAS an ACLU lawyer also....ACLU...ANti-Christians LOVE US!
He can impugn RIck Warren but to say he is representative of true Christianity just shows what a complete lack of discernment Barry Lynn has.
However, Rick does nothing to help anyone in that area. He is just like the world and is loved by most of the world (except those who are virulently anti-religious — meaning they are religiously against religion, whether false religion or true).
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