Monday, November 26, 2007

The Law Is The Law

After reading Twist O Lemon on my blog role, I decided to post this email I received from one of my friends.

I’m not overly religious, but I do not believe it is the Governments place to regulate the timeless traditions of those who are. We are a Christian Nation who allows others to worship as they please. So, the below makes since to me.

It won’t happen because the laws are for everyone else but them – Democratic and Republican alike. But maybe it will give you something to think about.
*****
So if the US government determines that it is against the law for the words "under God" to be on our money, then, so be it.

And if that same government decides that the "Ten Commandments" are not to be used in or on a government installation, then, so be it.

I say, "…so be it," because I would like to be a law abiding US citizen.

I say, "…so be it," because I would like to think that smarter people than I are in positions to make good decisions. I would like to think that those people have the American public's best interests at heart.

BUT, YOU KNOW WHAT ELSE I'D LIKE?

Since we can't pray to God, can't Trust in God and cannot post His Commandments in Government buildings, I don't believe the Government and its employees should participate in the Easter and Christmas celebrations which honor the God that our government is eliminating from many facets of American life.

I'd like my mail delivered on Christmas, Good Friday, Thanksgiving and Easter. After all, it's just another day.

I'd like for the US Supreme Court to be in session on Christmas, Good Friday, Thanksgiving and Easter as well as Sundays. After all, it's just another day.

I'd like the Senate and the House of Representatives to not have to worry about getting home for the "Christmas Break." After all it's just another day.

I'm thinking that a lot of my taxpayer dollars could be saved if all government offices and services would work on Christmas, Good Friday and Easter. It shouldn't cost any overtime since those would be just like any other day of the week to a government that is trying to be "politically correct."

In fact....

I think that our government should work on Sundays (initially set aside for worshipping God...) because, after all, our government says that it should be just another day....

What do you all think????

If this idea gets to enough people, maybe our elected officials will stop giving in to the "minority opinions" and begin, once again, to represent the "majority" of ALL of the American people.

SO BE IT...........

9 comments:

CindyDianne said...

I have seen this one before and really kind of like it. Makes some sense, doesn't it?

Not that I have any faith at all that they would "get it" in the least, but it might make me feel better! ;-)

Unknown said...

OH I LOVE THIS! thank you for sharing!

e.Craig Crawford said...

A very common sense approach. That's why they won't do it.

Anonymous said...

Will we really be less of Christian Nation because we don't display the Ten Commandments at the town hall? It sure won't rock my faith.

I would like to know what the author of this e-mail really wants. Does this person have a tolerance for any religious beliefs other than their own? Where do you draw the minority line? Does it stop with religious freedom? And who defines that? I don't always agree with the majority.

And I quote, "If this idea gets to enough people, maybe our elected officials will stop giving in to the "minority opinions" and begin, once again, to represent the "majority" of ALL of the American people.

The day our government ceases to represent ALL of the people, including the minority, we are done for.

Sorry, Coffeypot. I fear we are treading on some very treacherous ground here. Sometimes I am the minority and I need an advocate in the government.

DJ Andi said...

Amen - no pun intended!

It is a touchy subject but I do get tired of the crazy people who want to take Harry Potter out of the school libraries because it is "witchcraft". Wasn't the Scarlet Letter a book about witchcraft that was a classic?

I guess because the founding fathers came over from Europe and those are predominantly Christian nations, it made sense that a lot of things (money, pledge of allegience and the national anthem) say "God" in them. I think for me it comes down to tradition.

If our national language changes to Spanish though, I'm outta here!

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

I'd sure hate to work 7 days a week, though in some ways, I already do.

After all, on the 7th day, even God rested.

But I also agree with gawilli that the government needs to respect and represent all people including the minorities.

Has anyone heard of balance and moderation?

Maya's Granny said...

But, we are not a Christian nation. God and Christ were very carefully left out of the Constitution and the separation of church and state were written in. The Bill of Rights is all about protecting the individual from the majority and from the government.

According to the US Treasury web page, "In God we trust" was added to the money during the Civil War -- it was not put there by the founders. Under God was added to the pledge in the Eisenhower administration, so it is even newer than the money.

When most of our people were European, and most of them were Christian, we seemed to be a Christian nation because we were a nation of Christians. But now we are a varied nation. Some of us are not religious at all.

And I'm not at all sure what having no God before Jehovah or honoring your father and mother has to do with civil law or why they should be on the wall at the Town Hall.

Coffeypot said...

When I posted this I knew it would be controversial. Because of that reason I am sitting here with a smile on my face. The thing is, you are all right and you are all wrong. All this does is provoke and opinion; and opinions are like ass-holes, everyone has one and some stink more than others.

The separation of Church and State means that the Government cannot, and should not be involved in Religious practices and the Church should not be involved in the running of the Government. All the “symbols” of the Ten Commandments and slogans like In God We Trust are, at best, a reminder that there is a moral obligation to do the best for all the people all the time. A loft goal, but one that cannot be obtained.

There will always be winners and losers in every decision the government and the church makes. But this is America, the land of the free and home of the brave. People are dying to get to this wonderful country. A country so great that they want to change it when they get here. Again, this is America. If they want to come here and contribute to society, then welcome, because we will all benefit from their contribution. But if their life style and religious beliefs are more important to them than assimilating into society, then don’t let the airplane door hit them in the ass on the way back to their wonderful country.

I’m not an overly religious person, as I have said many times. But I believe in the Christian tenants of Loyalty, Patriotism and Commitment. The minority do need protection from bigotry, physical harm and persecution. But you do not have to change the time proven tradition of prayer, and scripture to accomplish this. There are laws in place to handle that. Yes! There are bigots in every race, religion and culture. But the majority of the people believes in their right to practice their beliefs – or lack of a belief.

Thomas Jefferson wrote extensively about the role of religion and government. He came to the conclusion that there are two religions in America. One is the personal religion, which is the right of every person to practice his/her belief without persecution. The other religion is the government religion where the government should lead by the moral and ethical treatment of all the people based on the concepts of the Christian principles of Love, Family and Community.

As I said before, everyone has opinions based on experiences, beliefs, study, family and friends. This is my opinion. I will not bet my life on it being the right one, but I will fight to the death to allow all of us to voice it. And I do believe in what I posted. If the government deems that religious holidays are unethical, then they shouldn’t be given the benefits arising from those holidays. There is something hypocritical about the whole mess. So be it.

KLee said...

You're damn skippy! I agree with you 100 percent! Now, I am very glad to live in a diverse nation where there are people of all kinds and creeds, but it seems like we bend over backwards to be so politically correct that we're ignoring our roots and national heritage.

That being said, I also think that it's important that those people who do not agree with Christian dogma do not become disenfranchised. Like Gawilli said, it will not shake my faith to its roots if I don't see the Ten Commandments posted on my civic buildings. Neither should we abuse the things we are given.

Mary Stebbins Tait said something very good: "balance and moderation." We, as a nation, are not there yet.