Posted on 09/10/2003 4:45:44 AM PDT by 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Thompson, who said that the display of the stone containing the Ten Commandments (which also contains a host of other historical documents) is illegal.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.
Another screaming, hysterical, misleading propaganda headline from the AFA, probably crafted in the hope of replenishing their dwindling coffers with "love offerings" from panicked and gullible Christians.
Anyone with a brain completely rejects the characterization of America as an "atheist nation." Not allowing the establishment of a state religion is in no way the same thing as living in an "atheist nation."
Would a true "atheist nation" countenance the existence of so many churches on its soil? You can't take 10 steps without stumbling over a church of some sort in every corner of the land. Would a true "atheist nation" allow its people to pray anywhere and any time as they are now? The short answer, and the correct one, is "No".
As usual, AFA needs to down a big ol' refreshing glass of shut the hell up, stop fear-mongering for money, and find another way to shear the sheep.
Good point.
Until the US Supreme Court overturns Everson, or at least ditches Lemon, there is little room for a low-level federal judge to maneuvre on these separation-of-church-and-state issues.
Unfortunately, Jugde Moore's publicity stunt is the worse case to bring to the US Supreme Court.
If you are referring to the Ten Commandments monument in Alabama, that would be Christianity.
Can you point me to their headquarters and phone number?
I am not anywho.com. If you want the location of the headquarters and phone number of your local Christian sect, I'd suggest you call the nearest church and ask them or ask your clergyman.
Kind of reminds me of the intemperate language used by the TBN /CBN "preachers".Wildmon is actually the worst of that bunch. He's the one who claimed that Mighty Mouse was snorting cocaine. He's the one who tried to claim that CBS was responsible for a mother murdering her daughter because it broadcast "Exorcist II". He's the one that tried to pressure Holiday Inn to stop offering R-rated "pay per view" movies in its rooms. He opposed the "Communications Decency Act" that was struck down by the Supreme Court as a violation of the First Amendment....he said it was too weak
It's clear that he's a firm believer in censorship of anything he considers "indecent" and indeed the evidence suggests he would prefer a Christian version of sharia to the freedoms we enjoy today.
-Eric
I remember that!
(How much of a life does a person need who sits around watching 30 year old cartoons for "evidence" of drug use by the characters therein?)
Because the ten commandments were delivered by God Almighty to Christians fleeing captivity in Egypt?
You're seriously asserting that there is no such thing as the "Christian" religion? Funny.
There is no address. There is no phone number.
Couldn't find one, eh?
Ergo, no one is being forced to sign up for membership in this religion.
I never said they were. What I HAVE said, repeatedly, on this and other threads, is that allowing prominent display of materials germane to a specific religion in a public place is tantamount to advocation or recommendation of that particular religion by the state.
There are no benefits coming to anyone who adheres to this non-existent, non-organized religious body.
You might get some argument from real Christians about that one.
THAT is what an established religion is.
Good. Now what's your point?
So the story goes. And your point would be?
There is no such religion which is capable of "establishment" within the meaning of Amendment I, no.
Very interesting story.
I've never heard it.
Moses was bishop of what see?
Yes. Let's turn the question around then - would you object if passages from the Koran were posted prominently on every wall and flat surface in a government building? How about on a piece of marble, prominently displayed therein? What about if a judge read from the Koran before every session?
It's just a display. It's just art.
I don't wish to see official government imprimateurs of "art" in any form. A waste of my tax dollars.
It is not the place where you're forced to sign up for an established religion.
Nobody is saying that it is. The objection in this case stems from the tenets of one religion being placed on public display in a taxpayer-supported institution. I want government to be strictly neutral when it comes to religion.
Sorry, but again, I don't understand what point you are trying to make. Please clarify.
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