Congressional Resolution Proposed: American Religious History Week

[DeSwiss]

Critics slam 'history week’ resolution by Rep. Forbes

The Virginian-Pilot
By Steven G. Vegh
January 11, 2008

A congressional resolution by U.S. Rep. Randy Forbes to designate an American Religious History Week has critics saying the measure ignores the nation’s spiritual pluralism and distorts history. Forbes, a Republican whose 4th District includes part of South Hampton Roads, filed a nonbinding resolution last month “affirming the rich spiritual and religious history” of the United States. If approved by the House, Resolution 888 would support a designated week each May “for the appreciation of and education on America’s history of religious faith.” The measure has 31 sponsors and is before a House committee.

The measure was criticized as “meddling in religious issues” by Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a nonprofit advocacy group that says the government is supposed to be religiously neutral. An Americans United news release said the resolution distorts American history to “portray a recurring intersection of religion and government.”

The resolution includes more than 60 historical references to presidents, court rulings, official events and monuments that cite a role or presence of religion in an American context. The citations range from quotes by Presidents Jefferson and Reagan to the Bible verses at the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. Five pages of footnotes give the sources of the information. Many of the references touch on aspects of Christian spirituality, including the Bible, the trinity, churches and the Gospels. Others simply mention God.

Forbes said Thursday the resolution was his way of countering a massive, “well-orchestrated movement” of “radical” groups out to expunge religious references from public life and government. He declined to name any group.

An excerpt from the resolution:

“Whereas political scientists have documented that the most frequently-cited source in the political period known as The Founding Era was the Bible” and “Whereas the United States Supreme Court has declared throughout the course of our Nation’s history that the United States is ’a Christian country’, ’a Christian nation’, ’a Christian people’, ’a religious people whose institutions presuppose a Supreme Being."

http://hamptonroads.com/2008/01/rep-forbes-wants-american-religious-history-week">MORE

- "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion..."

[enlightenment]

1. And I'm sure we will soon see the

"it's just a non-binding resolution, why do you care?" comments.

:banghead:

[DeSwiss]

2. Well, since its "non-binding"....

...let's throw all the other gods in there while we're at it. It'll be a real time saver...

[enlightenment]

3. Sure, why not?

Then, could we get a "non-binding" resolution for a week of Congress doing their frickin' jobs instead of coming up with more ridiculous clap-trap like this? :evilgrin:

[knitter4democracy]

4. We don't need to waste time on this crap.

We've got a president and vice president to impeach. C'mon! Get the lead out and stop wasting your time!

[Rob H.]

5. Apparently Forbes hasn't read his own resolution

From the link:

“This isn’t a resolution honoring Christianity. (Emphasis added) This is a resolution that looks at faith in the country and goes to the historical facts,” he said.

[Adsos Letter]

6. Here we go again with the whole "historical facts" thing...

Forbes must be reading his David Barton...

Why is it important to declare this a "Christian Nation?" These guys should know that this flies in the face of the First Amendment, Article VI: section 3 of the Constitution, and the spirit of the writings of many of the founders (granted, not all). But I thought we settled this question with the Election of 1800?

Not enough real history being read by our current bunch in Washington...

I'm just tagging onto your post Rob H, not aiming anything at you. :hi:

[Hellenic_Pagan]

7. OK... if I can sign up to teach about Paganism

Or is that not covered in this "non-binding resolution"?

For some reason, I feel that lots of faiths are gonna be left outta this one!

argh.

When did our Constitution become toilet paper?