Congress Just Passed a Law RESPECTING Christianity H.R 847

[NAO]

The whole thing is an outrage, but esp. note this clause:


Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

(5) rejects bigotry and persecution directed against Christians, both in the United States and worldwide; and

(6) expresses its deepest respect to American Christians and Christians throughout the world.


Now, c.f. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion"

This might seem like a trivial, pedantic protest - as this is a mere pun on two senses of the word "respect" - but I suspect this language was deliberately crated. It was meant to be a mocking, taunting, slap in the face of those who 1) say that the time to "respect" religion is over and 2.)would fight for separation of church and State.

They are screwing with us!

****

The Resolution: http://www.govtrack.us/data/us/bills.text/110/hr/hr847.pdf

The Vote: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=hr110-847

Article at Richard Dawkins: http://www.richarddawkins.net/article,2004,US-Congress-Recognizing-the-importance-of-Christmas-and-the-Christian-faith,RichardDawkinsnet

[sinkingfeeling]

1. No they didn't. It was a resolution.

[Occam Bandage]

2. Were you opposed to this?

http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&x=20071003165444mlenuhret0.9762384&m=October

[T Wolf]

7. There is a huge difference. Minority populations need proection from the

majority, especially when that majority has enslaved, murdered, and otherwise destroyed the minority.

The majority needs no such protection because they are not threatened (in any realistic fashion) by a powerless minority.

It's like a six-year old promising not to beat up a grown man - meaningless and not needed. On the other hand, a promise from an adult male not to beat up the six-year old is a worthwhile vow and necessary if the male has a history of doing just that.

Now do you understand?

[Occam Bandage]

13. Neither are "protection." Both are simply recognition of major religions in anticipation of

their holidays. I don't have any idea where this business of "protection" vs "enslavement" enters the picture.

[orleans]

3. let's impeach them all! (but who'll do the impeaching? )

what assholes.

why don't they fucking get over themselves and do something CONSTRUCTIVE. i mean, WE ARE PAYING FOR IT (in more ways than one!)

[Occam Bandage]

5. Go to THOMAS. And look at the House agenda for any day. Absolutely any day.

I'll bet you that you'll find a half-dozen meaningless, pointless resolutions. That's what Congress does.

[skipos]

4. There has already been a bunch of DU rage about this, especially since Kucinich voted for it.

You must have missed it.

[CrispyQ]

6. I am absolutely sickened by this resolution.

It is so on the verge on unconstitutionality. What the fuck are our congress persons thinking? Arghh!!! I want my country back!

:mad: :grr: :grr: :mad:

~~I didn't know Dawkins had a website. Thanks for the link.

[Kucinich4America]

8. You're quoting the word "respecting" out of context.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion"

The key word there is not "respecting" but "establishment". The intent of the founders was not to have a "Church of America" as there was, and is, a "Church of England".

Nobody is creating a religion here, nor declaring any "official" religion.

Is the resolution ridiculous and unnecessary?

Yes.

Is it worth worrying about, when far worse things are voted for by Democrats every day (Kyl-Lieberman, Mukrazy, just to name two more recent ones)??

I would have to say NO.

[Goblinmonger]

11. Look at the case law

and you will find that the current interpretation is much more broad than just having a "Church of America." Certainly you knew that and just decided to leave it out. OR you are badly in need of reading about the issue.

This resolution smacks of excessive entanglement which, since you don't know, is unconstitutional.

How DARE the Democrats vote for this. And how DARE people at DU not see this for the next step in the creeping theocracy that it is.

[Occam Bandage]

14. And was this Unconstitutional as well?

http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&x=20071003165444mlenuhret0.9762384&m=October

So are we becoming a Muslim theocracy too?

[Goblinmonger]

17. Good point by you

But I hardly think this is the same tongue bath that Christianity received. Actually a lot of backhanded comments in there that didn't come into the Christianity resolution.

Whereas it is estimated that there are approximately 1,500,000,000 Muslims worldwide;

Whereas since the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, some threats and incidents of violence have been directed at law-abiding, patriotic Americans of African, Arab, and South Asian descent, particularly members of the Islamic faith;

Whereas, on September 14, 2001, the House of Representatives passed a concurrent resolution condemning bigotry and violence against Arab-Americans, American Muslims, and Americans from South Asia in the wake of the terrorist attacks on the United States;

Whereas some extremists have attempted to use selective interpretations of Islam to justify and encourage hatred, persecution, oppression, violence and terrorism against the United States, the West, Israel, other Muslims, and non-Muslims;

Whereas some Muslims in the United States and abroad have courageously spoken out in rejection of interpretations of Islam that justify and encourage hatred, violence, and terror, and in support of interpretations of and movements within Islam that justify and encourage democracy, tolerance and full civil and political rights for Muslims and those of all faiths

Whereas Ramadan is the holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal for Muslims worldwide, and is the 9th month of the Muslim calendar year; and

Whereas the observance of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan commenced at dusk on September 13, 2007, and continues for one lunar month: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

(1) recognizes the Islamic faith as one of the great religions of the world;

(2) expresses friendship and support for Muslims in the United States and worldwide;

(3) acknowledges the onset of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal, and conveys its respect to Muslims in the United States and throughout the world on this occasion;

(4) rejects hatred, bigotry, and violence directed against Muslims, both in the United States and worldwide; and

(5) commends Muslims in the United States and across the globe who have privately and publicly rejected interpretations and movements of Islam that justify and encourage hatred, violence, and terror.

[readmoreoften]

9. It's stupid, but what do you expect from these monkeys? /nt

[bunnies]

10. I'll be holding my breath for the resolution respecting Atheists.

not. :eyes:

[Fire Walk With Me]

12. How about "rejects Christian bigotry and persecution directed against everyone else"?

Respect mah Christianitah! -Eric Cartman paraphrase.

[Rob H.]

15. Looks like pandering is the REAL reason for the season nt

[Arugula Latte]

16. What utter bullshit. Why are so many Christians so insecure?

Constantly needing to be propped up.

I think a lot of them go out of their way to try to push their religion on others because deep down they know it's an essentially silly premise they've staked their afterlife on.

Ooops! I just broke the law, or whatever it is ...