As if you didn't have enough on your plate in regards to religious issues with the federal government, let's look at what the state of Mississippi passed the other day in their legislature:
JACKSON, Miss. -- Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour indicated Wednesday he was inclined to sign a bill that would require all public buildings to have postings of the Ten Commandments, "In God We Trust" and excerpts from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.
The Mississippi House overwhelmingly approved the measure without much debate Wednesday. The Senate approved it Tuesday, but not before one lawmaker tried to kill the bill.
Barbour spokesman Pete Smith said "the governor is inclined to sign" the bill into law.
More after the flip, yo.
Rabbi Debra Kassoff called the bill a "flagrant and vain use of God's name for political gain."
"I am offended by the Legislature's disregard for separation of church and state, a principle that has allowed religious minorities of every creed to live and flourish in this country for over 200 years, largely without fear," Kassoff wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press.
The Associated Press, where you can read the rest.
I can't believe how flagrant this one is. The rabbi is totally correct that this looks like an affront to the Jewish faith or any other faith for that matter. No longer on equal footing in Mississippi if it's signed.
It says that in 2001 they already had a law that allowed for "in God we trust" to be placed out there by the government, but at least "God" is a ambiguous word that many religions acknowledge, except for atheists like myself or polytheists or religions without gods. Now they've gone and taken it a step farther to direct endorsement and requirement of Christianity. Now it awaits the signature of the governor.