Posted on 03/28/2014 7:08:07 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Can a public official mention Jesus at an official meeting? According to a federal judge in Maryland, the answer is no. According to Carroll County commissioner Robin Frazier, it’s yes — and she’s willing to go to jail to defend what she sees is her right to free speech and religious expression:
“Out of respect for my colleagues — I’m not sure how strongly they feel about it. I’m willing to go to jail over it,” Frazier said during the meeting, referring to Jesus Christ twice despite the ruling.
“(Let) the Lord Jesus Christ to admit me to render these deserved thanks and praises for thy manifold mercies extended toward me. Let thy blessings guide this day, and forever, through Jesus Christ and his blessed form of prayer, I conclude my weak petitions,” she said during the meeting.
After receiving complaints, some Carroll County residents and a group called American Humanist Association issued a warning to the board about “sectarian prayer” during meetings in 2012 and then followed up with a lawsuit in April 2013.
“After the judge has already agreed with us that that’s what’s going on, I think it’s particularly troubling that one of the council members saw fit to violate not only the Constitution but the judge’s very specifically ruling that they can’t be doing this,” said Monica Miller, an attorney for the American Humanist Association.
This fellow seemed to have the best take on the situation:
“My concern is, really, who cares? If they say Jesus, I mean, does it really offend anybody?” questioned resident Brian Resch.
The question is really this: do people have a right to be free from offense at board meetings? After all, Carroll County isn’t establishing a “county religion” by having one of its members pray openly. No one else’s rights to faith or lack thereof have been infringed; the local government isn’t taking roll at the local church to make sure everyone attends. The imposition of silence on religious expression by the judiciary, fueled by those who simply cannot abide the expression of faith, causes more egregious damage toward liberty than a prayer at a board meeting or school graduation does.
There is no doubt that Frazier’s act is deliberately provocative, and one can debate whether that’s an effective witness to faith or not in terms of charity and goodwill. However, isn’t the remedy at hand the next election, rather than a gag order from the federal government?
Unless more of us obey God rather than man like this woman did, we are forever lost.
Its a common Hispanic name. Is the Judge “Racist”?
When one is hired or elected into a government role, they don’t give up their first amendment rights.
This is wonderful. Now lets see what the judge and those Godless humanists are going to do about it.
______________________________________________________
Matthew 10:32
“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.
Matthew 10:33
But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.
Frankly, when these godless activist judges start to get treated like the royalty and elites of 1917 Russia, I’ll call that a good thing.
Judges and justices serve on good behavior. For far too long we’ve tolerated the opposite from them.
Sounds like the judicial tyrant needs a crash course on the 1st Amendment tout de suite.
You wouldn’t believe how parched the Tree of Liberty is these days.
“John Marshall has made his decision; now let him enforce it!”.
RE: “John Marshall has made his decision; now let him enforce it!”.
I’d like to see a “mere” commissioner say that and see what happens, as opposed to a President.
Ironic.
The American Humanist Association is trying to establish Godlessness as the county religion.
“If they say Jesus, I mean, does it really offend anybody?”
Yes, it does, sadly.
Our Founders said we should prefer Christians for our leaders. Ever wonder why? The problem today is the judge might be a deacon in the local church and rule this way. The church better wake up. A nation wide effort should be underway to cull the goats from the ranks. I can’t tell you how many Christians I know think Obama is a Christian. If they have no discernment, I have to question their salvation.
Your right to be offended doesn’t restrict my right to offend you.
Who is the judge, what is the judges name?
Carroll County commissioner Robin Frazier has correctly decided that respect is due to God. As to what he owes to this judge, the open contempt seems entirely appropriate when a judge attempts to issue orders in violation of Free Speech and of the free expression of religion - well beyond any judge's proper authority.
Quarles is a common Hispanic name?
Next time she ought to say a prayer thanking God for freedom of religion, quoting the First Amendment “or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” and asking God for the strength to defend this right against the forces of...
RE: Who is the judge, what is the judges name?
From the Baltimore Sun:
EXCERPT:
Federal law gives judges the power to jail or fine anyone who violates a court order. The plaintiffs in the case can seek a contempt finding but said they would not do so if the county begins to abide by the preliminary injunction issued Wednesday by U.S. District Judge William D. Quarles Jr. in Baltimore.
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