Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Jewel · 07-14-2003, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Maureen Oltrogge, spokeswoman for the Grand Canyon National Park, said that three bronze, religious-oriented plaques are no longer at Hermit's Rest, Lookout Studio and Desertview Tower -- all popular viewing areas for the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

NPS reports show the plaques quoted Psalms 68:4, 66:4 and 104:24 from the Bible.

"The Department of Interior determined that the plaques were not appropriate for federal public facilities," Oltrogge said. "The First Amendment prohibits the government from supporting a particular religion. It's a difficult issue, but it is supported by numerous court decisions."

Park service reports show that The Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary in Phoenix placed signs on the buildings at each of the locations in the late 1960s, but letters of concern and a recent inquiry by the American Civil Liberties Union prompted park officials to review the situation.

Wow. I'm impressed that it did not take a court battle to get the park to remove the plaques.

Ronin · 07-14-2003, 05:01 AM

Our tenacious EAC agents are infiltrating every pore of civilization, my brothers and sisters...fairly soon our Dark Master(tm) will return and reign Supreme*!

Muwahahahaha...cof...cof...cof...

* any resemblance to other, equally ludicrous, deity myths is purely coincidental.

Worldtraveller · 07-15-2003, 06:10 AM

Well, now I feel much better about my annual hiking trip.

It's funny, I noticed one of the plaques a couple years ago and made an offhand comment to one of the park rangers about it not being appropriate for a goverment park...

Makes me proud of my home state!

-Lane

07-15-2003, 05:54 PM

I heard about this while watching the 700 Club on my lunch break at work. (I forgot to bring a book.)
Pat was moaning and groaning about the America's backslide into evil. I changed the channel after he demanded the viewing puplic to pray for the country and the Supreme Court.

Jewel · 07-24-2003, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Bronze plaques displaying Bible verses removed from Grand Canyon National Park after a query from the American Civil Liberties Union were returned to the park Wednesday.

The plaques, quoting three verses from the Psalms, were returned to Hermit's Rest, Lookout Studio and Desert View after Donald Murphy, deputy director of the National Park Service, ordered them put back.

The plaques may not be there permanently, however.

David Barna, a spokesman for the Park Service in Washington, said the plaques were returned until park officials can get more legal advice on whether the Bible verses should remain.

"Someone further up the food chain needs to give us more guidance," he said.

Full article here

Toto · 07-24-2003, 10:32 AM

Quote:

The Park Service has asked its solicitor's office to research the topic, and the Justice Department could also be asked for advice, Barna said.

He noted that the Park Service has numerous religious items under its control, ranging from historic chapels to American Indian artifacts. The Park Service also oversees the lighting of a Christmas tree and a menorah on the White House grounds

Well, we can guess what Attorney General Ashcroft is going to advise.

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07-14-2003, 05:01 AM	#2
Ronin Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Mississippi Posts: 5,047	Our tenacious EAC agents are infiltrating every pore of civilization, my brothers and sisters...fairly soon our Dark Master(tm) will return and reign Supreme! Muwahahahaha...cof...cof...cof... any resemblance to other, equally ludicrous, deity myths is purely coincidental.

07-15-2003, 06:10 AM	#3
Worldtraveller Banned Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 7,834	Well, now I feel much better about my annual hiking trip. It's funny, I noticed one of the plaques a couple years ago and made an offhand comment to one of the park rangers about it not being appropriate for a goverment park... Makes me proud of my home state! -Lane

07-15-2003, 05:54 PM	#4
m.e.h. Guest Posts: n/a	I heard about this while watching the 700 Club on my lunch break at work. (I forgot to bring a book.) Pat was moaning and groaning about the America's backslide into evil. I changed the channel after he demanded the viewing puplic to pray for the country and the Supreme Court.

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