Religions > Atheism > Virginia House Passes Amendment Erasing Church-State Protections In State Constitution
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Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"" |
| Date: |
10 Feb 2005 10:12:23 AM |
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Virginia House Passes Amendment Erasing Church-State Protections In State Constitution |
Virginia House Passes Amendment Erasing Church-State Protections In State
Constitution
Wednesday, February 9, 2005
Watchdog Group Says Measure Threatens Religious Liberty Legacy
The Virginia House of Delegates has approved a sweeping amendment that
would erase church-state protections from the state constitution and allow
officially sanctioned prayer in the public schools.
The bill, HJ 537, proposes an amendment to the state's constitution that
would "permit the exercise of religious expression, including prayer and
'religious beliefs, heritage, and traditions' on public property, including
public schools...."
The Virginia House passed the proposed amendment by a 69-27 vote yesterday.
It has been submitted to the Senate, which could consider it before the
legislative session concludes on Feb. 26. (Constitutional amendments must
win House and Senate passage in two sessions before being placed on a
statewide ballot for voters.)
"The Virginia delegates who are pushing this scheme have a shockingly
ill-informed understanding of religious freedom," said the Rev. Barry W.
Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and
State. "This amendment would open a Pandora's box of religious liberty
problems. It is imperative for the Senate to reject this unwise plan."
Lynn charged that the amendment's broad language could be interpreted to
allow officially sanctioned worship services at public schools and
governmental events, as well as the display of sectarian symbols at
courthouses, schools and other public buildings.
Lynn noted that Virginia legislators are tampering with the religious
liberty legacy of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, two revered Virginia
founders who pioneered the concept of church-state separation in America.
"I do not believe that today's politicians are likely to improve on the
work of Jefferson and Madison," Lynn continued. "I am certain that the
amendment just approved by the Virginia House does not do so. This scheme
destroys many of the constitutional protections that Virginians count on."
The amendment's sponsor, Del. Charles W. Carrico Sr., said yesterday that
the amendment was needed because Christians in the nation are becoming
increasingly oppressed.
"America was founded on Christian beliefs," said Carrico. "Christianity is
the majority faith in this country and yet because the minority has said,
'I'm offended,' we are being told to keep silent."
Lynn said Carrico is wrong.
"Christianity is not muzzled in this country," Lynn continued. "The public
square is filled with religious and nonreligious voices. And public school
children already have the right to voluntarily pray, read religious
literature and join religious clubs. All of this goes on without government
endorsement or opposition, and that's how it should be.
"This measure is not needed, and it is an affront to the religious freedoms
this country and the state of Virginia have long celebrated," Lynn said.
"It is imperative that this proposed amendment be defeated."
The Virginia measure is patterned after a proposed federal constitutional
amendment that U.S. Rep. Ernest Istook (R-Okla.) has spent years trying to
shove through Congress. The Istook proposal has not fared well. He has
introduced the amendment in several congressional sessions since the late
1990s, but it has always stalled in the House.
Americans United for Separation of Church and State is a religious liberty
watchdog group based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, the organization
educates Americans about the importance of church-state separation in
safeguarding religious freedom.
.
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| User: "Shadow Walker" |
|
| Title: Re: Virginia House Passes Amendment Erasing Church-State ProtectionsIn State Constitution |
10 Feb 2005 10:32:53 AM |
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wrote:
Virginia House Passes Amendment Erasing Church-State Protections In State
Constitution
Wednesday, February 9, 2005
Watchdog Group Says Measure Threatens Religious Liberty Legacy
The Virginia House of Delegates has approved a sweeping amendment that
would erase church-state protections from the state constitution and allow
officially sanctioned prayer in the public schools.
The bill, HJ 537, proposes an amendment to the state's constitution that
would "permit the exercise of religious expression, including prayer and
'religious beliefs, heritage, and traditions' on public property, including
public schools...."
The Virginia House passed the proposed amendment by a 69-27 vote yesterday.
It has been submitted to the Senate, which could consider it before the
legislative session concludes on Feb. 26. (Constitutional amendments must
win House and Senate passage in two sessions before being placed on a
statewide ballot for voters.)
"The Virginia delegates who are pushing this scheme have a shockingly
ill-informed understanding of religious freedom," said the Rev. Barry W.
Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and
State. "This amendment would open a Pandora's box of religious liberty
problems. It is imperative for the Senate to reject this unwise plan."
Isn't it always a Red-State, and doesn't it always match areas
with the MOST atrocious education ?
Ever wonder why that is ?
Lynn charged that the amendment's broad language could be interpreted to
allow officially sanctioned worship services at public schools and
governmental events, as well as the display of sectarian symbols at
courthouses, schools and other public buildings.
Lynn noted that Virginia legislators are tampering with the religious
liberty legacy of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, two revered Virginia
founders who pioneered the concept of church-state separation in America.
"I do not believe that today's politicians are likely to improve on the
work of Jefferson and Madison," Lynn continued. "I am certain that the
amendment just approved by the Virginia House does not do so. This scheme
destroys many of the constitutional protections that Virginians count on."
The amendment's sponsor, Del. Charles W. Carrico Sr., said yesterday that
the amendment was needed because Christians in the nation are becoming
increasingly oppressed.
Nope, they just feel that the Government Stump is an appropriate place for
them to proselytize.... wrong.
"America was founded on Christian beliefs," said Carrico. "Christianity is
the majority faith in this country and yet because the minority has said,
'I'm offended,' we are being told to keep silent."
Lynn said Carrico is wrong.
I concur.
"Christianity is not muzzled in this country," Lynn continued. "The public
square is filled with religious and nonreligious voices. And public school
children already have the right to voluntarily pray, read religious
literature and join religious clubs. All of this goes on without government
endorsement or opposition, and that's how it should be.
"This measure is not needed, and it is an affront to the religious freedoms
this country and the state of Virginia have long celebrated," Lynn said.
"It is imperative that this proposed amendment be defeated."
Someone send a Satanist down to that school system, if they pass it.
And have them perform their Satanic Rites, during the school
prayer. LOUDLY, -and- VISIBLY! Pentagrams, Chants, and Ritual.
Then, wait and see who is screaming about "religious oppression".
The Virginia measure is patterned after a proposed federal constitutional
amendment that U.S. Rep. Ernest Istook (R-Okla.) has spent years trying to
shove through Congress. The Istook proposal has not fared well. He has
introduced the amendment in several congressional sessions since the late
1990s, but it has always stalled in the House.
Most people -realize- he is a nutter. Too bad Virginia lunatics,
aren't as wise.
But, I for one, am looking forward to the News Articles,
of outrage, when the Xians, while praying loudly for Jesus,
are confronted by the Satanists, and Wiccans, praying loudly,
in proper ritual form, for theirs!
I, for one, will be willing to pay for the purple robes, with
the large bold Pentagram on the back...
And for the Satanists, re-using the Christian Cross,
upside down, should be no problem.
I wonder if we should get a Native American Indian in there, to
perform a prayer-dance. It might not be offensive enough for the
Xians... but, I think the drumming will stir them up.
If we had some students over 18, (and in a Virginia High School
this is all too possible), we could even have them try praying
properly, sky clad.
Americans United for Separation of Church and State is a religious liberty
watchdog group based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, the organization
educates Americans about the importance of church-state separation in
safeguarding religious freedom.
.
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| User: "Gray Shockley" |
|
| Title: Re: Virginia House Passes Amendment Erasing Church-State Protections In State Constitution |
12 Feb 2005 01:21:56 AM |
|
|
On Thu, 10 Feb 2005 10:12:23 -0600,
wrote
Virginia House Passes Amendment Erasing Church-State Protections In State
Constitution
Wednesday, February 9, 2005
Watchdog Group Says Measure Threatens Religious Liberty Legacy
The Virginia House of Delegates has approved a sweeping amendment that
would erase church-state protections from the state constitution and allow
officially sanctioned prayer in the public schools.
The bill, HJ 537, proposes an amendment to the state's constitution that
would "permit the exercise of religious expression, including prayer and
'religious beliefs, heritage, and traditions' on public property, including
public schools...."
And, most certainly, satanism, the old religion, Wicca and
many, many others have their places to "permit the exercise
of religious expression, including prayer and religious
beliefs, heritage, and traditions' on public property,
including public schools...."
Just watching the holy and endowed with their Creator
pandering, Baal worship and adultery (the House is in
session and those single motel rooms sure have some strange
noises coming from them).
Going back to our nations beginning - actually before it -
we find Christians killing "witches" at Salem Village.
Will the Commonwealth sanction witch trials? Are those 69
(an obviously religious number) members of the Commonwealth
House prepared to strike down the First and Fourteenth
Amendments to the Constitution of the United States?
Are they actually sneaking in sex orgies, representatives
chasing after young "converts" and religious expression
allowing these 69 to practice other than what they preach?
Is the majority in the Virginia House actually going to use
the slogan?:
69 in Virginia's Legislature;
passing a law for the 69 everywhere.
Quite obviously worshippers of the Lord of the Flies.
Gray Shockley
------------------------------------------------------
If there's "tens of billions" of dollars to
privatize Social Security, then there
is /no/ Social Security problem.
The Virginia House passed the proposed amendment by a 69-27 vote yesterday.
It has been submitted to the Senate, which could consider it before the
legislative session concludes on Feb. 26. (Constitutional amendments must
win House and Senate passage in two sessions before being placed on a
statewide ballot for voters.)
"The Virginia delegates who are pushing this scheme have a shockingly
ill-informed understanding of religious freedom," said the Rev. Barry W.
Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and
State. "This amendment would open a Pandora's box of religious liberty
problems. It is imperative for the Senate to reject this unwise plan."
Lynn charged that the amendment's broad language could be interpreted to
allow officially sanctioned worship services at public schools and
governmental events, as well as the display of sectarian symbols at
courthouses, schools and other public buildings.
Lynn noted that Virginia legislators are tampering with the religious
liberty legacy of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, two revered Virginia
founders who pioneered the concept of church-state separation in America.
"I do not believe that today's politicians are likely to improve on the
work of Jefferson and Madison," Lynn continued. "I am certain that the
amendment just approved by the Virginia House does not do so. This scheme
destroys many of the constitutional protections that Virginians count on."
The amendment's sponsor, Del. Charles W. Carrico Sr., said yesterday that
the amendment was needed because Christians in the nation are becoming
increasingly oppressed.
"America was founded on Christian beliefs," said Carrico. "Christianity is
the majority faith in this country and yet because the minority has said,
'I'm offended,' we are being told to keep silent."
Lynn said Carrico is wrong.
"Christianity is not muzzled in this country," Lynn continued. "The public
square is filled with religious and nonreligious voices. And public school
children already have the right to voluntarily pray, read religious
literature and join religious clubs. All of this goes on without government
endorsement or opposition, and that's how it should be.
"This measure is not needed, and it is an affront to the religious freedoms
this country and the state of Virginia have long celebrated," Lynn said.
"It is imperative that this proposed amendment be defeated."
The Virginia measure is patterned after a proposed federal constitutional
amendment that U.S. Rep. Ernest Istook (R-Okla.) has spent years trying to
shove through Congress. The Istook proposal has not fared well. He has
introduced the amendment in several congressional sessions since the late
1990s, but it has always stalled in the House.
Americans United for Separation of Church and State is a religious liberty
watchdog group based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, the organization
educates Americans about the importance of church-state separation in
safeguarding religious freedom.
.
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| User: "" |
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| Title: Re: Virginia House Passes Amendment Erasing Church-State Protections In State Constitution |
12 Feb 2005 08:45:56 AM |
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Gray Shockley <grayshockley@gmail.com> wrote:
:|And, most certainly, satanism, the old religion, Wicca and
:|many, many others have their places to "permit the exercise
:|of religious expression, including prayer and religious
:|beliefs, heritage, and traditions' on public property,
:|including public schools...."
:|
:|Just watching the holy and endowed with their Creator
:|pandering, Baal worship and adultery (the House is in
:|session and those single motel rooms sure have some strange
:|noises coming from them).
:|
:|Going back to our nations beginning - actually before it -
:|we find Christians killing "witches" at Salem Village.
:|
:|Will the Commonwealth sanction witch trials? Are those 69
:|(an obviously religious number) members of the Commonwealth
:|House prepared to strike down the First and Fourteenth
:|Amendments to the Constitution of the United States?
:|
:|Are they actually sneaking in sex orgies, representatives
:|chasing after young "converts" and religious expression
:|allowing these 69 to practice other than what they preach?
:|
:|Is the majority in the Virginia House actually going to use
:|the slogan?:
:|
:| 69 in Virginia's Legislature;
:| passing a law for the 69 everywhere.
:|
:|
:|Quite obviously worshippers of the Lord of the Flies.
FROM THE LOCAL CHAPTER OF AU
Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2005 14:46:22 -0500
From: rlgould [DELETE]
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Subject: Subject: Re: HJ537
*House imperils Jefferson¹s masterpiece
*The Virginian-Pilot
© February 9, 2005
Last updated: 7:48 PM
Some conservatives in the House of Delegates think they know better
than Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.
Del. Charles W. Carrico and his soulmates want to fix Jefferson¹s
mistake by rewriting the Virginia Constitution to allow prayer and
recognition of religious beliefs in public schools.
It is hard to imagine the audacity required to find error in
Jefferson¹s celebrated Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. It is
the source and spirit of religious protections in the state
constitution¹s Bill of Rights and a beacon of universal inspiration.
Madison, one of Carrico¹s legislative ancestors, pushed Jefferson¹s
handiwork to passage in the 1786 General Assembly.
At the time, Madison celebrated that the statute ³extinguished
forever ambitious hopes of making laws for the human mind.²
Not so fast, Mr. Madison. He didn¹t envision the 2005 House of
Delegates.
³There have been attempts to discriminate against Christians and
take out 'under God¹ from the Pledge of Allegiance,² complained
Carrico, a Republican from Independence (no joke) in defending his
proposal.
As approved on a 14-6 committee vote, the amendment secures ³the
people¹s right to pray and to recognize their religious beliefs,
heritage, and traditions on public property, including public school
divisions.²
Delegates John Cosgrove, R-Chesapeake, and Johnny Joannou,
D-Portsmouth, voted with the misguided, overreaching committee
majority.
Contrast the proposed amendment with Jefferson¹s and Madison¹s
fierce understanding that, in a free society, religious beliefs must
remain jealously guarded matters of individual conscience.
Any attempts to force religion, Jefferson wrote in the Virginia
Statute ³tend only to beget habits of hypocrisy and meanness, and
are a departure from the plan of the Holy author of our religion,
who being Lord both of body and mind, yet chose not to propagate it
by coercions on either, as it was in his Almighty power to do.²
Here¹s a critical test for those who think otherwise. Would these
devout Christians embrace that same principle were they in the
religious minority?
The struggle to create a new constitution for Iraq offers them an
opportunity to decide.
Leading Shiite clerics want Islamic principles to guide the
constitution. The most conservative leaders want Islamic law to be
the foundation of all legislation.
Which would Carrico and his colleagues prefer in Iraq? That the
deeply held religious beliefs of the majority dictate state policy?
Or that Jefferson¹s and Madison¹s vision prevail?
In the Statute for Religious Freedom, Jefferson warned against
³fallible and uninspired men (who) have assumed dominion over the
faith of others, setting up their own opinions and modes of thinking
as the only true and infallible...²
The forefathers understood the dangers of creeping religiosity in
matters of state. And they knew that a vibrant faith needs no
government assistance to flourish. The explosion of evangelical
Christianity across the United States proves their point.
Principles that have served America for over 200 years and provided
a model for constitutions in emerging democracies around the globe
do not need editing by the 2005 Virginia House of Delegates.
**************************************** *
I want to add this:
From: "oconnell@s..." [delete]
Newsgroups: alt.politics.bush,alt.politics.democrats
..d,alt.politics.liberalism,alt.politics.
usa.constitution,alt.politics.usa.republ ican
Subject: Re: Virginia House Passes Amendment Erasing Church-State
Protections In State Constitution
Date: 10 Feb 2005 08:47:23 -0800
[me] buckeye-ELO@n... wrote:
[snip]
The amendment's sponsor, Del. Charles W. Carrico Sr., said yesterday
that the amendment was needed because Christians in the nation are
becoming increasingly oppressed.
[snip]
How? Someone please tell me how? We have a president that
wear's his christianity on his sleave. We have Bishops
threatening elected politicians with excommunication. There
are churches everywhere. They get special tax exemptions.
We have whole PAC's that are religiously based. People
put up huge religious displays on private property. Priests
get special exemptions from testifying. You can wear all
manner of religious clothing and symbols. Exactly where is
all this oppression? All anyone is saying is that they can't
use tax dollars to support their religions, and they can
use the power of the government to coerce participation.
That ain't oppression.
"oconnell@s..." [delete]
******************************************************************
Write legislatures, call legislatures, write letters to the papers,
post all over the internet, etc.
SEE {You will probably need a Yahoo ID and have to join the group to
read the following, but it really is worth your time since there is a
wide variety of things being put on that site, information, lists of
books primary source documents, pictures, lists of court cases some
dating back to the 1700s, a growing links section, lists of law
journals and law review articles, etc. )
HJ 537 Constitutional amendment; free exercise of religion on public
property
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HRSepCnS/message/158
FOR BACKGROUND SEE
Istook Amendment
The Virginia Religious Amendment is said to be patterened after the
Istook federal religious amendment.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HRSepCnS/message/159
######################################################
Virginia House Passes Amendment Erasing Church-State Protections In State
Constitution
Wednesday, February 9, 2005
Watchdog Group Says Measure Threatens Religious Liberty Legacy
The Virginia House of Delegates has approved a sweeping amendment that
would erase church-state protections from the state constitution and allow
officially sanctioned prayer in the public schools.
The bill, HJ 537, proposes an amendment to the state's constitution that
would "permit the exercise of religious expression, including prayer and
'religious beliefs, heritage, and traditions' on public property, including
public schools...."
The Virginia House passed the proposed amendment by a 69-27 vote yesterday.
It has been submitted to the Senate, which could consider it before the
legislative session concludes on Feb. 26. (Constitutional amendments must
win House and Senate passage in two sessions before being placed on a
statewide ballot for voters.)
"The Virginia delegates who are pushing this scheme have a shockingly
ill-informed understanding of religious freedom," said the Rev. Barry W.
Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and
State. "This amendment would open a Pandora's box of religious liberty
problems. It is imperative for the Senate to reject this unwise plan."
Lynn charged that the amendment's broad language could be interpreted to
allow officially sanctioned worship services at public schools and
governmental events, as well as the display of sectarian symbols at
courthouses, schools and other public buildings.
Lynn noted that Virginia legislators are tampering with the religious
liberty legacy of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, two revered Virginia
founders who pioneered the concept of church-state separation in America.
"I do not believe that today's politicians are likely to improve on the
work of Jefferson and Madison," Lynn continued. "I am certain that the
amendment just approved by the Virginia House does not do so. This scheme
destroys many of the constitutional protections that Virginians count on."
The amendment's sponsor, Del. Charles W. Carrico Sr., said yesterday that
the amendment was needed because Christians in the nation are becoming
increasingly oppressed.
"America was founded on Christian beliefs," said Carrico. "Christianity is
the majority faith in this country and yet because the minority has said,
'I'm offended,' we are being told to keep silent."
Lynn said Carrico is wrong.
"Christianity is not muzzled in this country," Lynn continued. "The public
square is filled with religious and nonreligious voices. And public school
children already have the right to voluntarily pray, read religious
literature and join religious clubs. All of this goes on without government
endorsement or opposition, and that's how it should be.
"This measure is not needed, and it is an affront to the religious freedoms
this country and the state of Virginia have long celebrated," Lynn said.
"It is imperative that this proposed amendment be defeated."
The Virginia measure is patterned after a proposed federal constitutional
amendment that U.S. Rep. Ernest Istook (R-Okla.) has spent years trying to
shove through Congress. The Istook proposal has not fared well. He has
introduced the amendment in several congressional sessions since the late
1990s, but it has always stalled in the House.
Americans United for Separation of Church and State is a religious liberty
watchdog group based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, the organization
educates Americans about the importance of church-state separation in
safeguarding religious freedom.
******************************************************************************************
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