Survey asks leaders "have you accepted Jesus?" - D in KY does not like it

[The Straight Story]

Country founded on citizens’ right to question their leaders
Glasgow Daily Times

The famous words of Abraham Lincoln hold as true today as they did on Nov. 19, 1863, in Gettysburg, Pa., when he gave a rallying cry for the country.

A government of the people, by the people, for the people.

His vow to honor those who gave the last full measure upon that historic battlefield promises that type of government will not perish from the earth.

We’re certain he meant for Christians also to be entitled to that kind of leadership.

That’s why we’re so astonished as to why Rep. Kathy Stein, D-Lexington, filed a resolution in Frankfort asking her colleagues not to participate in a survey being conducted by a youth group at Gethsemane Baptist Church in Glasgow.

Stein called the survey — which simply asked “Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your lord and savior” — intimidating and bullying and claimed it did what the constitution prohibited by offering a religious test of public officials.

...

Religion — no matter how it is observed — undoubtedly plays a role in the decisions made by some voters. It’s their right to educate themselves as thoroughly as possible before choosing those who would govern them.

Although we hope the survey is not the only criteria used in making a decision on Election Day, we certainly stand behind the group’s right to pose the question.

Moreover, we question the motive of any measure that would deny public access to its representatives.

http://www.glasgowdailytimes.com/opinion/local_story_070162930.html

[niyad]

1. and I don't like it either--do NONE of those people understand about the

concept of separation of church and state? they whine and stamp their widdle feetsies whenever it is pointed out to them-- THIS IS NOT A THEOCRATIC COUNTRY you bible-thumping cretins, and I, and many others, are sick to death of you trying to make it so.
You want to live in a theocratic state-move to iran.

[RC]

2. Can you imagen the hue & cry if it were Mohammed they were

pushing?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

12. The hue and cry would come first from Muslims

Mohammed (pbuh) is not worshipped as Jesus is worshipped. He, like Jesus, was a prophet of God, not God. Muslims respect Mohammed and look carefully at what he did during his life so as to use it as an example of good conduct, but that is all. :)

[mzteris]

3. See Constitution: Article VI; Sec 3

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.

[sakabatou]

4. Icky!

[mzteris]

5. BTW - what do you expect

when their highschool band has to wear KILTS!!

:rofl:

sorry - we played against them in highschool. It was always a source of much merriment (on our part!)

[Ian David]

6. Who gets your primary allegiance- The President or The Pope?

In some states, such as Massachusetts, Catholics were forbidden from holding certain public offices.

It was assumed their primary allegiance would be to a foreign power, and not their own country.

[WiseButAngrySara]

8. Interesting. Time line? n/t

[bobbieinok]

11. that was a MAJOR anti JFK claim in 1960

[tritsofme]

7. I think that everyone is right in this situation.

These fundies are within their rights to inquire about the religious beliefs of their representatives.

And this guy is within his right to tell them to go pound sand.

The government can't make laws with regard to a "religious test" but this doesn't place restrictions on private citizens and voters.

[Yupster]

16. Agree tritsofme

They can ask and he should answer that his/her religious beliefs are personal and none of their business.

[boobooday]

9. Sullying their own religion

That's what they are doing with these political shenanigans. They sully their religion, cheapen it, and make it look downright cultish.

They should be ashamed. Where is the Jesus quote about being a big-mouth in your piety? I know there is one.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

13. I can paraphrase

Jesus said not to pray loudly in the streets, making a spectical of yourself; this is what hypocrites do. Instead, pray privately and discreetly.

One quote I know that bears upon this: Let your light so shine before all men that all may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Why are these people bothering with a survey? Why not just look for Light in their elected officials and check out the good works they have done?

[RC]

17. Can't do that. Some people who do good works in government are

not very religious. How can an agnostic/atheist do good works when everybody knows we need the threat of hell&damnation to even make us worship the correct god. Never mind worshiping the correct god means it's ok to kill brown people half a world away because they don't go to your church.

[boobooday]

22. Some things they can take literally.

But not Christ's message of INLCUSION.

[AllegroRondo]

24. Matthew 6:5

It is the heretic who goes to the church or the street corner and prays loudly so all may hear him. When you pray, go to your closet and shut the door, so none but my father may hear you.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

25. Thank you!

I appreciate the exact quotation!

[AllegroRondo]

26. I may be an atheist,

but I do know the bible pretty well.
glad to help.

[msongs]

10. Many christians reject the CHRIST concept ya know but

those kinds of christians may not be wanted by the gethsemane baptist church the church I grew up in did not like black christians, mexican or asian christians, catholic christians, or any other kind except baptist ones.

Msongs
www.msongs.com/democratsmugs.htm

[Katherine Brengle]

14. religious tests for elected officials are illegal--

not to mention unethical

anyone running for office who allows him/herself to be dragged into this kind of thing doesn't deserve to be elected (this includes plenty of current "public servants" who make a show of being religious to make themselves "electable")

[me b zola]

15. How about people who govern talk about governance

...and leave religion to the churches.

Just my 2 cents

[donheld]

18. Wake up and smell the theocracy

It's here all around us, and it's got to be stopped.

[salin]

19. The question ought to be:

"Do you blasphemously use Jesus (envoking his name, pretending to know his will) to promote your political career?"

[MiniMe]

20. What do you expect from a state who's abbreviation is KY

Next thing you know, they will bring a bill to change their official state abbreviation. Can't have their state associated with a sexual lubricant.

[bunkerbuster1]

21. Slightly ashamed to admit--my first thought as well

Have you accepted Astroglide?

[MiniMe]

23. LOL, funny! n/t