Posted on 06/27/2002 10:59:34 AM PDT by Pokey78
Shock and outrage greeted the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision yesterday to ban the Pledge of Allegiance from public schools.
Even liberal Democrats in Congress have voiced their disappointment.
While it is satisfying to see the almost universal support for keeping God in the Pledge, it must be noted that the Courts decision is part of a long and successful effort by secularists and leftists to ban God from the public square.
Think twice then, if you believe this decision will be easily overturned by the Supreme Court.
Already, decades ago, the Courts, including the Supreme Court, successfully banned prayer, or even a moment of silence, from public schools.
I remember widespread public anger at some of those decisions, with a lot of smoke coming from Congress about Constitutional amendments, etc.
How far we have come?
Some years ago I poked through a high school textbook that had been printed in the 1950s. It was used in the New York City Schools as a civics textbook.
One chapter of the book discussed American law, and began by saying that the Judaic Ten Commandments were the basis of all American and Western jurisprudence. I dare you find that in an American high school textbook today, though it is undeniably true.
Today, the leftists have even successfully banned the Ten Commandments from public buildings and court houses around the nation.
Why do they find the Ten Commandments so troublesome?
Perhaps its the commandment that demands that one cannot covet anothers property a principle that has affirmed private property rights and is the basis for limited government and capitalism.
Some years ago, Clarence Thomas noted that when we threw God out of the public schools, other things, like drugs, violence and worse took His place.
We also know that nations that have banned God have suffered.
In the name of a Godless humanity, Nazi Germany, communist Russia, and Red China murdered more people last century than all of the casualties from all the wars of history combined.
Americans are right when they worry about an America without God.
We are also right to worry about this court ruling.
Just over a decade ago, the Supreme Court shocked Americans by saying it was OK for Americans to burn American flags. They said it was guaranteed by the Constitutional right to "free speech.
The decision was followed by similar public outrage, with all sorts of promises by Congress to protect the flag, including a Constitutional amendment.
More than ten years later, we're still waiting.
Some of us are still baffled as to where the Constitution provides for citizens to light fires in public demonstrations, or to desecrate the countrys national symbol.
Perhaps, we will also find it equally baffling to live in a nation that no longer allows us to utter the word "God."
Not that facts would ever matter to you but my post to 'Miss Millie' was my last - to her. When I read the post from Gutterboy (how apt) I was not about to accept his insults unanswered, nor will I accept yours. So, if I state I'm leaving a thread and some atheist sends me a public insult and I respond, I don't see that being hypocritical but you know, it doesn't matter if that qualifies me as a 'hypocrite' to you, sir, as I consider the source of that judgement and so I may easily dismiss it.
I won't engage in flame wars but I will respond to your insulting message, for what it's worth, just this once, then you are free to wallow in your own bile as long as you need to.
Your characterization of me as 'An out of control religious fanatic' is not only laughable but indicates that I've hit a nerve with you. Great! I love to discomfit the bitter and angry who despise our religious freedom in America and attempt to outlaw public references to God.
I'm quite IN control, thanks. I'm religious but I'm not a fanatic as some of your atheist friends - such as Gutterboy (love that oh-so-perfect name) seem to be. This Pledge ruling has certainly brought out the foaming-at-the-mouth atheists and I find it delightful to watch them squirm and howl over the mere mention of God's name. It's almost funny.
I have little interest in atheists and what they think about anything. I do enjoy seeing the outpouring of distaste for the atheists narrow views of 'religion' in America (and the anti-religion movement was going so well, too) but the silly mis-statements and wrong conclusions being posted on FR by a few deserve a response. That's what I've offered but I'm getting bored. It's too easy.
By the way, sir, here's a posting hint. Respond to me with name-calling and insults and you'll receive much the same in return. Reply like a gentlemen and you'll receive a civil reply in return. Simple. Try it sometime.
Now, I'm done. If you wish a reply, use FReepmail or better yet, just go away.
God is all powerful according to what I have understood of many religions, so please tell me how the heck he/she/it is in a position to be "banned"? Doesn't make any sense. If you believe in Genesis the God of that book says, "let there be light" and wham there is light--don't you think a God with that much power could just about have its way?
And it is absolutely true that if the shoe were on the other foot... if the pledge citing some reference to Allah or Satan you folks would be up in arms.
To preserve the religious freedom for the INDIVIDUAL, the government needs to stay out of the business of promoting OR discouraging any spiritual or religious belief whatsoever.
If you want to say the pledge, say it. Don't expect the government to set aside time during the course of its educational calendar to encourage you to say it. Take some personal responsibility for your own patriotism.
Why do you think the government should be in the business of promoting religion or patriotism? Just how big should the government be?
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