Federal Judge Makes It Official -- America Now an Atheist Nation

American Family Association ^ | Sep 5, 203 | Don Wildmon

[xzins]

Federal Judge Makes It Official -- America Now an Atheist Nation

The issue isn't a granite stone with the Ten Commandments inscribed on it. Never has been. The issue is much more diverse and important than a piece of stone.

The issue was best stated by none other than Federal Judge Myron Thompson, who said that the display of the stone containing the Ten Commandments (which also contains a host of other historical documents) is illegal. Thompson said the central, most important issue was this: "Can the state acknowledge God?"

After asking the question, he went on to answer it. "No."

That is the issue. Lest we fail to understand what has occurred here, let me explain. A single, lower-court federal judge has bluntly told every American that America is now officially an atheist nation.

In one swift stroke of the pen, Judge Thompson tossed out over 225 years of American history and law. In one swift stroke of the pen, he has instituted a new form of law based on what he wants it to be. Rex has become lex. He wears a black robe and he says he is the law.

Go back and read the First Amendment, the one Judge Thompson destroyed in the name of preserving it. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion," the First Amendment says. Congress has passed no law establishing religion. But what Congress refused to do, indeed because Congress refused to do it, Judge Thompson did. He instituted as the law of the land the religion of atheism, which says there is no God.

Not only did Judge Thompson usurp the power of Congress, he also took away the rights of every individual and state. The second half of the establishment clause of the First Amendment reads: "... or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

This is precisely what one lower federal judge has done. He told Americans who disagree with his official state religion of atheism that he can and will prohibit the free exercise of their religion -- unless, of course, that religion is atheism. He stripped both Congress and the people of their rights. He set himself above the law because he considers himself to be the law.

From this day forward, our entire judicial system must be based on the religion of atheism. Follow that to its logical conclusion. In the future there will be no frame of reference from which to decide law. Law will become what any person wearing a black robe and sitting in court desires it to be. The First Amendment has been ripped apart in the name of upholding it. Orwell's 1984 has arrived.

No, you will not notice any drastic changes immediately. There is still a remnant left in the hearts and minds of the current citizenry. But when that remnant dies out, those who come after us will see a big difference.

The state will become intolerant of any religion other than atheism. That, of course, will come into conflict with people of conscience whose religion differs from that of the state. That is when the persecution, quite legal I might add, will start. It was the atheist Santayana who said: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence, wrote: "The Constitution is a mere thing of wax in the hands of the judiciary, which they may twist and shape into any form they please."

Indeed, Santayana and Jefferson were right.

[Lurking Libertarian]

I've read numerous reports that Moore and Thompson agreed on the question: "Can the state acknowledge God?" It is possible that this did not appear in the decision. I haven't seen the decision.

The decision is linked at post #22, above. Not only does it not contain the language that Wildmon says it does, it makes very clear that the State can acknowledge God, albeit not in the way that Moore chose in this case.

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

He established his nation and blessed it. Now he will withhold all blessings till this wrong is righted

WOW you got the inside scoop or are ya gonna tell us your secret for talking to the Almighty

This has'nt changed the relationship between God and his people this just changes the relationship between nonbelievers and believers!

[xzins]

In Wildmon's defense, he does not say in the above article that Thompson made that statement in his written decision.

At the same time, Moore insists that he and Thompson agreed that that was "the issue."

[anniegetyourgun]

None of you have anything earthly to worry about - you're in the majority. This is not a Christian nation. It isn't even a non-Christian nation. It's an anti-Christian nation. (In fact, all the nations have set their face against Him.)

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Germany, England and Italy have state religions. A portion of everyone's paycheck goes directly to support one, specific church.

In this country we can't even say the all-purpose, all-inclusive, hardly-inflammatory word, GOD.

Regardless of the godless template some wish to put on this country, the fact remains every facet of the U.S. was founded on the Judeo-Christian ethic.

During the past century, has this country become more righteous, more ethical, more creative?

Or has the suppression of the Christian ethos mirrored a sharp drop in values, a sense of community and personal fulfillment?

This country was a better place when abortion was lawed (because it was a sin); when a Nativity scene was erected every December on the local library's front lawn; and when our children were not being taught by sodomists how to put condoms on bananas in fifth grade.

[tpaine]

tpaine:
It's the fanatical, unreasoning zealot who insists that ALL other men MUST obey the beliefs of his cause, -- his sickness is the trouble "with our species".



Do you believe that this is what Judge Moore is when he tries to put a monument to the 10 Commandments in the rotunda of his courthouse?
Shalom.
38 -RG-


Nah, da 'judge' is just another cynical political hack, trying to incite fanatics to support his cause.

Did a pretty good job, didn't he?

[MeekOneGOP]

[DMZFrank]

"There is a lot of complexity in this situation, starting from the point of Judge Moore arranging to have the monument paid for and installed without going through any legislative channels. After all, it's not as if the rotunda is his private property. This action removes any "states rights" issues and brings up the appropriate treatment of public property problems".

If that is so, than the political legal apparatus of the State of Alabama should remedy it. Not an overweening federal judge, who is prohibited by the first clause of the 1st Amendment from making any ruling whatsoever in such a matter.

[xzins]

Amen.

[R. Scott]

It discriminates in favor of atheism, a belief system that posits the non-existence of God.

I have never understood how non-belief could be considered a belief.

To permit zero religious discussion is to support those who believe in zero religious discussion.

I wasn’t aware that religious discussion was being proscribed. What did I miss?

[R. Scott]

That would be better.

[Jim Noble]

Since Everson, the courts have consistently held (wrongly) that "the free exercise of religion" pertains to individuals only, and that any collective free exercise is establishment if the collective actors use (or displace) any state resources.

This is the genesis of the "wall of separation", and, as you correctly point out it abolishes free exercise, properly understood.

Judge Thompson was only taking precedent to its logical conclusion, as was the much-maligned 9th Circuit Pledge of Allegiance decision.

Any honest Article III court which follows Everson will eventually reach the same result-official, public atheism. It is Everson that was wrongly decided, Everson which must be overruled-and unless and until it is, you will have to live with official atheism.

[Jim Noble]

You are correct that Moore failed the Lemon test, but Lemon is the progeny of Everson, both of them wrongly decided as they abolish free exercise.

Moore is probably an idiot (I live far away from Alabama and don't know anything about him).

But the line of decisions beginning with Everson which repeal the free exercise clause are worse, and will eventually have to be overturned either from within the Article III courts or by some other mechanism.

[lula]

At first reading I thought it said;"The issue was best stated by none other than Federal Judge MORON Thompson".

[xzins]

Apparently, what you missed is the issue involved in this case from OUR perspective. Try it on for a moment, and see if it fits for you. 1. No religion established by a rock monument.
2. Therefore, it is simply a passing expression on the part of the man who is charged with setting up displays, decorations, and artworks in the building.
3. His first amendment "free speech" rights, AS WELL AS his rights NOT to have his exercise limited, have been violated.

As to your first question about "non-belief."
1. Does God exist?
2. Prove to me that your answer is right.

[xzins]

Please explain Everson to me. Thanks.

[xzins]

:>)

[Jim Noble]

Here's a link.

Enjoy!

[wgeorge2001]

"This is precisely what one lower federal judge has done. He told Americans who disagree with his official state religion of atheism that he can and will prohibit the free exercise of their religion -- unless, of course, that religion is atheism. He stripped both Congress and the people of their rights. He set himself above the law because he considers himself to be the law."


All I can say to Myron has been said before in the scritures:

Revalation 21:
5. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
6. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
7. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
8. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
4. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

I John 5:
5. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
6. This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
7. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
8. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
9. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

[xzins]

Thanks, Jim. :>)