[Ciexyz]

Way to go George W. I got a warm, fuzzy feeling listening to your speech on Fox about faith-based initiatives.

[jae471]

Article 6 of the Constitution expressly states that "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office of public trust under the United States."

And this means that Catholics, Methodists, and Baptists can hold office.

Its all about original intent (well, it should be).

[joesnuffy]

Lord, Thank You for a President who is willing to acknowldege you in both word and deed and who isn't afraid to confess you as Lord and Savior to his country.

[onedoug]

If this Rev. Barry Lynn thinks that our rights come from men, evidently like him, then they can be taken away by men, like him. Otherwise what God has given only God can rescind.

[r9etb]

Since taking office, Bush has frequently cited his Christian beliefs and his desire for religion to play an increased role in American society - a stance that has drawn objections from secularists and civil libertarians.

What -- they'd rather he lied about the basis for his decisions?

[roberbaran]

>"As a matter of fact, it's a confirmation of the fact that we received our rights from God, as proclaimed in our Declaration of Independence," he said at a news conference in Alberta, during the Group of Eight summit.

The problem is that the Declaration of Independance isn't a law. That's the same doc that said "Life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness" while the USA was a slave country. It was a letter. It has no legally binding power.

[mountaineer]

The Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said Bush's proselytizing runs the risk of blurring the line between religious practices and running the government. "He does not seem to want to keep even a decent distance between government and religion," Lynn said. "He wants to mesh the two together in whatever manner he can create. "

Barry Lynn, like Norman Lear before him, is evidence that liberals believe the First Amendment does not apply to anyone but themselves.

[RAT Patrol]

I love how liberals get all bothered when a Christian President exercises his free expression rights, yet, when the issue is the National Endowment of the Arts they see no need for the fictitious "seraration of church and state" when tax dollars support porno Virgin Mary or the Christian cross set in a glass or urine. Next time we should shout "Separation of Church and State" when they use tax dollars as "art" to desecrate religious symbols..

[VRWCmember]

Article 6 of the Constitution expressly states that "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office of public trust under the United States." "He said if you're not religious, you can't be a judge," Lynn said. "That violates a central principle of our constitutional system."

And where was the good "reverend lynn" when bill clinton effectively eliminated any who had a religious pro-life view from consideration as a judge? That was every bit as much a "religious test" as lynn's imagined violation of Artilce 6 by Bush.

[skeeter]

According to Lynn, Bush may in fact have unwittingly hinted that he intends to violate the Constitution regarding the appointment of federal judges.

In criticizing the 9th Circuit's decision, Bush said the United States needs "commonsense judges who understand that our rights were derived from God. And those are the kind of judges I intend to put on the bench."

According to 'reverend' Lynn, the Declaration of Independence should be considered an unconstitutional, anti-American screed.

[Jagdgewehr]

The Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said Bush's proselytizing runs the risk of blurring the line between religious practices and running the government.

"He does not seem to want to keep even a decent distance between government and religion," Lynn said. "He wants to mesh the two together in whatever manner he can create. "

What Rev. Lynn is saying then is a man or woman in public office must conceal any and all personal expressions of "religious" faith.

What if that same individual's character and integrity is due to personal "religious" convictions and the honorable conduct of said individual is based on "religious" motives?

The above quote suggests that Rev. Lynn believes that religious faith and the man who has such faith can and should be easily divorced when it comes his function in public office.

For nearly eight years we were told to accept Clinton's numerous and glaring foibles and utter lack of integrity as part of a "great president" doing a great job. Now, we have a president whose personal religious faith and his subsequent belief in God is somehow a detriment to his conduct as POTUS.

[Sci Fi Guy]

Someone should remind "Rev" Barry Lynn of how many Religious themes were included in George Washington's farewell address. (I believe that 1/3 to 1/2 of it was on the importance of Religion).

For those of you who don't know "Rev" Lynn debated a baptist minister on the topic Is Homosexuality Compatible with Authentic Christianity. After the tape, Lynn threatened to sue the Baptist minister if he followed the customary practice of selling copies of the debate.

The tapes are now available. So if you want to see how Lynn stands up to a real minister. Go Here.

[Sci Fi Guy]

According to Lynn, Bush may in fact have unwittingly hinted that he intends to violate the Constitution regarding the appointment of federal judges.

Article 6 of the Constitution expressly states that "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office of public trust under the United States."

Yawn, All Article 6 means is that we cannot require a particular religious adherence in order to run for office. That is we cannot pass a law saying only Baptists, or Lutherans can run for office.

[Paraclete]

Barry Lynne and that dude who challenged the Pledge in California seem like two people with whom I'd least like to spend an evening. In other words, on the human level, they seem to be lacking.

[aruanan]

"a nation that values our relationship with an Almighty"

I don't think it's possible for there to be merely "an" Almighty.

[VOA]

"As a matter of fact, it's a confirmation of the fact that we received our rights
from God, as proclaimed in our Declaration of Independence," he said at
a news conference in Alberta, during the Group of Eight summit.

As much as I like Canada and my Canadian relatives in Alberta...
I give Dubya credit for his honesty.

And note that Micahel Medved reported today that TWICE as many Canadian inhabitants left
Canada for the USA as in 2001 as the previous year.
(As I recall: about 12,000 in 2000; about 20,000 in 2001)
The group announcing this, suprisingly, is a tax-payers union in Canada.
The report noted with distress that about half of the immigrants from Canada to the
USA are classified occupationally as "managerial" or "professional".

They are voting with their feet.
Just like two of my cousins who departed Edmondton, AB for the Dallas, Texas within the
the last decade.

I love Canada...but maybe the idea of parts of the Dominion eventually joining the
USA is not a totally crazy idea...

[nmh]

Hmmmmm I wonder where his faith in God was when he approved EMBRYONIC stem cell research when put to the wall and prior to that sent out letters to conservative groups reassuring him that he wouldn't agree to that. His appinting abortion advocates like Tom Ridge to positions of authority doesn't add up either. If someone can't get it right about abortion don't expect them to do well in a postion of more authority. Tom Ridge is not effective in his latest position. Nah, not impressed with Bush's proclamations since they don't match his actions. Bush IS in a position to put his faith into action. Also I'm NOT interested in funding just any old religion out there. Here I DO agree that their should be a separation of church and state. Many "religions" out there are NOT Christian and I DON'T want to fund this crap.

[swampfox98]

The Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said Bush's proselytizing runs the risk of blurring the line between religious practices and running the government.

Interesting thing is that Lynn didn't say anything when Bill Clinton's whoreing around in the oval office may have blured some lines.

[mustapha mond]

Who cares what Barry Lynn says? Why should our country be defined by a tiny minority of heathens ? --MM