My congressmen: "only through God's mercies that our lives are blessed"

[madfloridian]

This is the response of our GOP congressmen to a concern of a friend about too much religion in government. He votes with Bush 100% of the time, that is fact. He votes for the interest of Florida 10% of the time according to PIRG.
Our group here is running a candidate against him. He stands for everything Putnam does NOT stand for. I hope you will read this letter from the incumbent and then check out our candidate who is opposing.
Our candidate:
www.jeffsiemerforcongress.com

The letter from Putnam.
Dear .......:

Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding religion in our society.
I appreciate hearing from you.

I believe that our Nation and its people are in need of prayer, for it is
only through God's mercy that our lives are blessed, and it is important
that we seek wisdom and guidance through Him. I commend you for your strong
convictions, and I know that your good work will be rewarded.

As I told you in my letters dated September 27, 2001 and March 26, 2004, I
share your belief that freedom of speech and religion are guaranteed by the
Constitution. Over the past several decades, the trend of the Supreme Court
was to erect a rigid wall between church and state, resulting in what I
believe to be the infringement of the legitimate religious freedoms of many
Americans. The Rehnquist Court has moved to reverse this trend, recognizing
that the separation of church and state does not mean the absence of
religion in our government or our schools, but rather a general prohibition
against state-sponsored religion. (This is hogwash)


You will be pleased to know that there are currently two related pieces of
legislation pending before Congress. H.R. 2045, the Ten Commandments
Defense Act of 2003, introduced by Rep. Robert Aderholt and H.Con.Resolution
50, introduced by Rep. Cliff Sterns, would defend the Ten Commandments and
where they are displayed.(He thinks they should be in courthouses) Both pieces of legislation have been referred to
the House Committees on the Judiciary and House Administration, and while I
am not a member of these committees, I will be sure to keep your views in
mind should this legislation come to the House floor for a vote.

Again, thank you for taking the time to share your views. If you would like
further information on the federal government or issues before Congress,
please visit my website at www.adamputnam.house.gov.

May God Bless America.

Sincerely,

Adam Putnam

NO, Adam, the government should not seek his guidance. No. The government should not be involved in our religion.

[DIKB]

1. READ the bible.

That's all it takes to truly destroy what faith you have.

Judges 19 is a great place to start.

There are more many more examples, if you want to open your eyes check out www.exchristian.net and www.religionisbullshit.com

[madfloridian]

2. I was raised Southern Baptist.

I am not anymore. It was hijacked. This congressman really worries me.

[IrishBloodEngHeart]

4. I'm a political liberal and a Christian

I apologize for neither.

[northofdenali]

8. And you shouldn't. We have a number of strong Christians

on DU - and a number of folks who are agnostic, atheist, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, etc.

What I object to is the right-wing neocons hijacking the Christian religion to start wars and hurt the downtrodden.

Good website to check, Irish, is http://liberalslikechrist.org - Ray Dubuque is a truly good Christian, posts here, and can be heard on liberal call-in radio shows.

And in light of all that, welcome to DU. There's always an argument here about religion (many different kinds of religion) but the cohesiveness is well worth it.

[madfloridian]

11. Ray is great, and I am a religious person. Our leaders are not.

Sorry, but they are doing evil in the name of religion.

[northofdenali]

14. madfloridian, I agree 100%

They exploit religion. They are no more Christians than Pontius Pilate.

[madfloridian]

17. Yes, they do.

It is getting scary. One lady in our neighborhood said the reason the votes did not need to be recounted was because Bush was pre-ordained by God. It does not get scarier than that.

[madfloridian]

3. These bills are a dangerous beginning.

"The Rehnquist Court has moved to reverse this trend, recognizing
that the separation of church and state does not mean the absence of
religion in our government or our schools, but rather a general prohibition
against state-sponsored religion.
You will be pleased to know that there are currently two related pieces of
legislation pending before Congress. H.R. 2045, the Ten Commandments
Defense Act of 2003, introduced by Rep. Robert Aderholt and H.Con.Resolution
50, introduced by Rep. Cliff Sterns, would defend the Ten Commandments and
where they are displayed."

Getting the foot in the door.

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

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[madfloridian]

6. My reply is that you need to look around you at this country.

I did not say one word against personal faith. We are so far into religious extremists taking over this country that it is scary.

My neighbors were sporting signs and bumper stickers from their churches supporting the war.

They told us that of course Bush was not elected, he was chosen by God.

If you think that is ok, then I don't know what else to say to you.

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

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[madfloridian]

9. Most of us here are pretty mainstream.

At least extreme left wing liberals are not dangerous. The right wing extremists in charge of this country are torturing Iraqis and taking away our freedoms here.

I am sorry, but some extremists are worse than others. I am a religious person, but this bunch in the administration are not like any Christians I ever saw.

If you defend them, I then feel uneasy. If you don't like here, you do not have to stay, you know.

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

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[thebigidea]

13. so who would you consider an extreme left wing liberal?

Jimmy Carter?

Charlie Rangel?

Barbara Boxer?

Quentin Crisp?

Joe Lieberman?

Topo Gigo?

[Name removed]

16. Deleted message

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[thebigidea]

18. bwhahahahah

Thank you for the fine entertainment.

[madfloridian]

20. You consider Feinstein a dangerous left winger? OMG

We do have different views.

[Forkboy]

Staying?

I wouldn't bet the rent money on that if I were you.

[northofdenali]

10. See post #8 above.

n/t

[napi21]

15. Clearconscious, you're not alone. Lots of us don't like extrenists.

I suspect, even the extremists realize they're not supported by the mojority.

I think a stromg religious belief is good for society, but bad for politics.

I remember my parents telling me, many years ago, that you should never get into an argument about Politics of Religion. There's no way to ever win. They were right! Especially with Religion. There are very strong feelings in every religion, and most people will never compromise that. They have every right, in our America, to maintain those beliefs, but they should not be interjected into Politics & laws.

[thebigidea]

19. so you think Feinstein is an extremist too?

Otherwise, you might not want to agree with him.

[napi21]

22. I don't understand. Feinstein is a woman, and certainly not

an extremist.

Please explaine your point.

[thebigidea]

23. You may want to reread the thread.

Thank you for pointing out Feinstein's gender. All those pearls made it hard to figure out.

[napi21]

24. I did. Diane is a female! No I don't consider her an extremist!

You may disagree with that and you have every right to do that.

I consider extremists to be Hunter, Sessions, Santorum, and yes... Kennedy & Pelosi.

I think that's OK, both parties will ans should have the extreme foundation of their beliefs.

I just disagree that Diane is an extremist....and it's a she not a he!

[thebigidea]

25. by "he," I meant the poster I replied to.

I'm perfectly aware of Feinstein's gender, I lived in California for a coupla years.

"I just disagree that Diane is an extremist...."

Um, yes. Obviously. So do I. That's why I responded.

She's a centrist who's only function I can divine is to make Barbara Boxer look even better.

In conclusion: you're arguing with the wrong person. Good night.

[Forkboy]

21. Ah to hell with God