Friday, March 03, 2006
Missouri Legislator Sponsors Bill to Make Christianity the Official State Religion
Missouri state representative David Sater of Cassville in southwestern Missouri, has sponsored a bill that would name Christianity the state's official "majority" religion. The resolution recognizes "a Christian God." It fails to protect minority religions, but does "protect the majority's right to express their religious beliefs. Here's the full text:
House Concurrent Resolution No. 13 submitted to the 93RD General Assembly
Whereas, our forefathers of this great nation of the United States recognized a Christian God and used the principles afforded to us by Him as the founding principles of our nation; and
Whereas, as citizens of this great nation, we the majority also wish to exercise our constitutional right to acknowledge our Creator and give thanks for the many gifts provided by Him; and
Whereas, as elected officials we should protect the majority's right to express their religious beliefs while showing respect for those who object; and
Whereas, we wish to continue the wisdom imparted in the Constitution of the United States of America by the founding fathers; and
Whereas, we as elected officials recognize that a Greater Power exists above and beyond the institutions of mankind:
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-third General Assembly, Second Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, that we stand with the majority of our constituents and exercise the common sense that voluntary prayer in public schools and religious displays on public property are not a coalition of church and state, but rather the justified recognition of the positive role that Christianity has played in this great nation of ours, the United States of America.
Reportedly, the Anti-defamation league, along with other watch-groups, began a letter writing and email campaign to stop the resolution. We're trying to track down more information about how readers can help. We'll post more as soon as we have something to report.
House Concurrent Resolution No. 13 submitted to the 93RD General Assembly
Whereas, our forefathers of this great nation of the United States recognized a Christian God and used the principles afforded to us by Him as the founding principles of our nation; and
Whereas, as citizens of this great nation, we the majority also wish to exercise our constitutional right to acknowledge our Creator and give thanks for the many gifts provided by Him; and
Whereas, as elected officials we should protect the majority's right to express their religious beliefs while showing respect for those who object; and
Whereas, we wish to continue the wisdom imparted in the Constitution of the United States of America by the founding fathers; and
Whereas, we as elected officials recognize that a Greater Power exists above and beyond the institutions of mankind:
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-third General Assembly, Second Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, that we stand with the majority of our constituents and exercise the common sense that voluntary prayer in public schools and religious displays on public property are not a coalition of church and state, but rather the justified recognition of the positive role that Christianity has played in this great nation of ours, the United States of America.
Reportedly, the Anti-defamation league, along with other watch-groups, began a letter writing and email campaign to stop the resolution. We're trying to track down more information about how readers can help. We'll post more as soon as we have something to report.
