House Resolution 888: Us R a Religious Nation
Monday January 14, 2008
Just when I think government can't get a whole lot sillier, news comes down the pike to reaffirm the legislative goofiness for me. You may recall back in December, when Congress actually took the time to pass a bill affirming the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith, with House Resolution 847. As thrilled as I am to see my tax dollars at work on that one, it's nothing compared to the newest debacle to hit the House floor.
House Resolution 888, introduced by Randy Forbes (R-Va), states its purpose as "Affirming the rich spiritual and religious history of our Nation’s founding and subsequent history and expressing support for designation of the first week in May as `American Religious History Week’ for the appreciation of and education on America’s history of religious faith." So just in case you're not spiritual enough on your own, now the government is giving you a Very Special Week to appreciate and educate others about our country's religious history.
Here's the problem, though, as some analysts see it. The resolution's “education on America’s history of religious faith" is based on a long list of maybe-not-quite-historically-accurate statements, including the notion that the Supreme Court has declared this country to be a Christian nation, which they haven't.
Not only that, one of the resolves that appears between the lines is one stating that Congress "rejects, in the strongest possible terms, any effort to remove, obscure, or purposely omit such history from our Nation's public buildings and educational resources." I'm not a lawyer, but my first thought is that this could be a kickoff towards eliminating the separation of church and state completely, or at the very least blurring the legal lines. Clearly this bears some looking into, but it's a bit disconcerting that a legislative act purporting to promote history is (a) basing itself upon what might be revisionist history and (b) has the potential to be used as a weapon against the First Amendment.
House Resolution 888, introduced by Randy Forbes (R-Va), states its purpose as "Affirming the rich spiritual and religious history of our Nation’s founding and subsequent history and expressing support for designation of the first week in May as `American Religious History Week’ for the appreciation of and education on America’s history of religious faith." So just in case you're not spiritual enough on your own, now the government is giving you a Very Special Week to appreciate and educate others about our country's religious history.
Here's the problem, though, as some analysts see it. The resolution's “education on America’s history of religious faith" is based on a long list of maybe-not-quite-historically-accurate statements, including the notion that the Supreme Court has declared this country to be a Christian nation, which they haven't.
Not only that, one of the resolves that appears between the lines is one stating that Congress "rejects, in the strongest possible terms, any effort to remove, obscure, or purposely omit such history from our Nation's public buildings and educational resources." I'm not a lawyer, but my first thought is that this could be a kickoff towards eliminating the separation of church and state completely, or at the very least blurring the legal lines. Clearly this bears some looking into, but it's a bit disconcerting that a legislative act purporting to promote history is (a) basing itself upon what might be revisionist history and (b) has the potential to be used as a weapon against the First Amendment.
I’m actually a Christian, but my suggestion is that maybe this “American Religious History Week” could be used to point out the role of people of *diverse* religions (or people without a religion, for that matter) in US history; for example, Thomas Jefferson was a deist.
Speaking of religion and America: I remember reading an essay proposing that a sort of “American civic religion” has been formed throughout the (two) centuries of American public consciousness and popular culture. It was interesting, and this “civic religion” was not Christianity, let it be noted.
My mom told me once that I should always wear a crucifix whether or not I am Christian because it would protect me from having my head cut off when the country goes insane.
I laughed at that once. But this is just as crazy.
*sad*
It seems to me that in order to celebrate America’s religious history, we should all be doing rain dances and passing a peace pipe. I apologize for the generalization, but in times like this, we tend to forget that “America” has a rich religious history long before Christianity came over.
I celebrate this good news from Congress. How positive and refreshing to honor God and recognize His direction of our nation’s history and destiny!
For the first time in my life the US is lossing what made it strong. Each time a bill like this is presented, part of our Constitution is destroyed. It is only a matter of time before we are bowing before a ruler.
Jim,
Our nation was guided by Christian principles for over 230 years with no dictators or rulers to bow to. That is the influence of Christ upon America’s history.
tubby-
your filth has no basis in truth. your particular brand of mythology is not in any way affiliated with the united states. please go ahead and read the damn constitution. please do not take my word for it. educate yourself. and keep your filthy ancient texts out of the laws that govern me.
It’s sad that at CATHOLIC SCHOOL I learned that the founders were Diests and agnostics, but they’re trying to call the country a “Christian Nation” in public schools, huh?
Now if they want to educate people about the diversity and the indiginous practices, I’m all for that. Not for ramming the 1611 KJV down anyone’s throat though *shudder*
Kassiane, if a Catholic school is teaching that then there’s still some hope. I keep telling my kids to learn the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. There was a reason they wouldn’t allow a monarchy or a state religion.
No wonder I love America (although I would never want to live there) it is better than a Saturday morning cartoon show.
And you still believe your “manifest destiny” is to rule, Maybe a comedian’s convention but not the rest of the world
Anyway, keep coming with the nonsense, I at least get a smile from that
Yluna:
There is just as much nonsense coming from across the pond and from our neighbors to the south. America does not hold the patent on nutjobs.
Your upset that we want people to know the truth about American history? I would rather have my tax dollars spent on positive things like this than absurd studies about cow feces effects on the ozone layer or the origins of cosmic ooze…. accept your history and move on.
This is disconcerting on many levels.
1) Blurring the lines between church and state isn’t the only thing that this bill is going to accomplish. Talk about shoving culture and religion down everyone’s throat. You cannot call America the land of dreams and the hope for freedom if you’re going to be shoving religion (specifically Christian faith) down people’s throats. I thought religious persecution was exactly what our forefathers were escaping in England. Hmmm? Whatever happened to that piece of history?
2) Instead of proposing harmony of religion (and the different spectrums of faith that pervade our world), it would only instill resentment from other faiths and would cause a further intolerance of faiths that are not in exact keeping with Christianity.
I really don’t know what to make of these people that decide what we should do and what we shouldn’t do in our daily lives. Why did we vote these rejects into office? How could we, intelligent voters, be so completely off in what our values and beliefs are to have given power to those who turn back to strip away our freedoms.
I’m not Christian, I’m not an Atheist either. I was born into a Sikh family and my parents have never forced Sikhism down my throat, so what makes the government think that they can? Because of the acceptance that my parents bestowed on me, I was able to do so much. Some might think that I was a confused child with no focus and maybe that’s why I went from religion to religion. You’d be completely wrong. I’ve never been confused about the great source of energy that rushes through all of us, engulfing all of us with its love and radiance. Learning about different religions taught me how alike they ALL are.
You can find a similarity between a lizard and a dog if you really look for it. That’s what all religions are. A dichotomy (the good with the bad).