Freethought & Rationalism Archive

gilly54 · 08-02-2002, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Dear Senator Feinstein,

I would hope that you and your fellow Senators realize the division that is being caused by allowing religion, especially the Christian religion, into our government. Contrary to Christian claims, the Founding Fathers were NOT Christian. They were deists and wrote a great, secular guide for this nation, called the Constitution. In fact,"GOD", is never mentioned in the Constitution or Bill of Rights. Madison, Adams and Jefferson left it up to the individual to determine what "their Creator" is.

When an American-born Muslim is elected to high office, can he/she decline to swear on the Bible, and instead request the Qu'ran when taking the oath of office? Imagine the wailing from the Christian groups when that happens! Being of the Jewish faith, did it pain you that you had to place your hand on the Bible, which also contains the New Testament of Jesus Christ, when taking your oath of office? Or did you regard this as just "ceremonial deism" where the mention of God is taken lightly. Doesn't this attitude break the first Commandment of not taking the name of God in vain?

Wouldn't it make more sense to swear to uphold the Constitution, by swearing on the Constitution?

My comments are irrelevant of my faith. My comments are from a concerned American.

I didn't want to load it with quotes, or make it too long so her aides won't read it.

Buffman · 08-02-2002, 07:11 PM

Please don't send this particular draft. It is loaded with errors that can be easily exposed. I will do so if you wish, but prefer to do it via e-mail. Please let me know. Thanks.

gilly54 · 08-02-2002, 10:28 PM

Thanks for the offer Buffman, I'll take you up on it. I respect very much your legal historical knowledge.

Gilly

Bokonon · 08-03-2002, 05:39 AM

"Contrary to Christian claims, the Founding Fathers were NOT Christian. They were deists and wrote a great, secular guide for this nation, called the Constitution."

That's simply not true.

There were Deists, but there were also Christians. I think you should add one quote...

"I have no doubt that every new example, will succeed, as every past one has done, in shewing that religion & Govt. will both exist in greater purity, the less they are mixed together."

That's a quote by James Madison.

gilly54 · 08-03-2002, 09:39 AM

Thanks, Bokonon. I amended my draft and deleted the errors pointed out by you and Buffman. I proposed that she head a committee to get the US back to its secular ways by using the "Lemon" test (which the 9th Circuit Court did in its Newdow ruling) on the questionable incursions of religion like IGWT.

Gilly

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08-02-2002, 07:11 PM	#2
Buffman Beloved Deceased Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: central Florida Posts: 3,546	Please don't send this particular draft. It is loaded with errors that can be easily exposed. I will do so if you wish, but prefer to do it via e-mail. Please let me know. Thanks.

08-02-2002, 10:28 PM	#3
gilly54 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: New Almaden, California Posts: 917	Thanks for the offer Buffman, I'll take you up on it. I respect very much your legal historical knowledge. Gilly

08-03-2002, 05:39 AM	#4
Bokonon Regular Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Left of the Mississippi Posts: 138	"Contrary to Christian claims, the Founding Fathers were NOT Christian. They were deists and wrote a great, secular guide for this nation, called the Constitution." That's simply not true. There were Deists, but there were also Christians. I think you should add one quote... "I have no doubt that every new example, will succeed, as every past one has done, in shewing that religion & Govt. will both exist in greater purity, the less they are mixed together." That's a quote by James Madison.

08-03-2002, 09:39 AM	#5
gilly54 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: New Almaden, California Posts: 917	Thanks, Bokonon. I amended my draft and deleted the errors pointed out by you and Buffman. I proposed that she head a committee to get the US back to its secular ways by using the "Lemon" test (which the 9th Circuit Court did in its Newdow ruling) on the questionable incursions of religion like IGWT. Gilly

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