For those of you who haven't been paying attention, you'll be pleased to know that Missouri Republicans are attempting to pass a House Resolution (HR 13) making Christianity the state's official "majority religion."
From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch
The proposed resolution states that "voluntary prayer in public schools, religious displays on public property, and the recognition of a Christian God are not a coalition of church and state."
It was recently approved by the House Rules Committee along party lines - five Republicans backed it, three Democrats did not - and could come for a vote before the full House next week. It would also have to pass in the Senate.
Needless to say, this is dangerous as hell, and everyone from ordinary citizens to religious leaders are
pissed. A friend of mine wrote a frustrated letter to State Rep. Michael Vogt-- his reply and assorted public outcry on the flip.
Just when you thought you had seen and heard it all, up comes House Resolution 13. This goes to show you do not have to have any sense of logic or knowledge of history to get a job in this place.
The Republicans are very good at invention. They invent wars, they invent hardships for our working poor, and now they wish to invent a state religion. General Washington, Mr. Jefferson, and Professor Franklin would cringe at the thought of being the founders of a Christian Nation, as they were not highly religious people themselves. It was not the reason for independence.
I pose two questions -- which Jesus are we going to get? The Catholic one, the Protestant one, the Orthodox one, the Coptic one, or some other version? Also, if your religion is the best, why does that have to be clarified by the House of Representatives?
Sincerely,
Mike Vogt
Capitol Ph: 573-751-9472
E-Mail: Michael.Vogt@house.mo.gov ... perhaps we should show him some love?
Surprisingly, the outcry from the Christian community has been, well, present:
"It's an atrocity," said the Rev. Timothy L. Carson, senior minister at Webster Groves Christian Church. "Thomas Jefferson would be rolling in his grave. It's indicative of a movement within one segment of activist Christianity that wants to dominate the rest with their views."
Some non-Christians also reacted strongly. Batya Abramson-Goldstein, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council, said the fact that the resolution made it out of a committee was significant.
"It's not that this is one individual's opinion," she said. "Other legislators have voted on this already, so it takes on a legitimacy that makes it more than a resolution. It's painful for faith communities outside the Christian community."
Granted, folks, this is just a Resolution, which has no standing as law ... but let's be honest: any move in this direction is another tiny step towards theocracy, and threatens the rights and freedoms of all Americans.
Team Slacker's Diary from last week