Freethought & Rationalism Archive

RichardMorey · 08-13-2002, 03:38 PM

I have posted a second draft of an article I am writing to my (under construction) website, called "Poisoning the Well: The poor quality of public debate about Newdow v. U.S. Congress."

Here is a sample:

Quote:

On June 26th, 2002, The Court of Appeals of the Ninth Circuit released an opinion which caused one of the loudest uproars among both the American citizenry and nation�s politicians in recent memory. In Newdow v U.S. Congress1, the court struck down a 1954 act adding the words �under God� to the Constitution. Judge Alfred Goodwin wrote the opinion for the court. The opinion is a clear, well-structured, well-reasoned and rhetoric-free piece of writing accessible, I believe, to the majority of Americans and certainly to the majority of lawmakers.

However, the responses by the media, politicians, and many Americans have been full of inaccuracies and misrepresentations. The language the press has chosen to describe the decision has been antagonistic to Newdow, the Ninth Circuit, and those who agree with the opinion.

I have used ideas found here to construct my argument. I would really appreciate some feedback on this article. I am hoping that, with some editing, I can get it published on infidels.

The article can be found at:
<a href="http://bengal.missouri.edu/~moreyr/home/poisoning.html" target="_blank">http://bengal.missouri.edu/~moreyr/home/poisoning.html</a>

Thanks!

[ August 13, 2002: Message edited by: RichardMorey ]

Edit: Check out the main Infidels page. It has just been made the feature article.

[ August 18, 2002: Message edited by: RichardMorey ]</p>

Buffman · 08-13-2002, 09:56 PM

It's wonderful. Now...how do we get the public exposed to it on a scale to match the religious right propaganda? Or in the hands of legislators who will actually read and understand its message..and be willing to place America, the Constitution and principle before their vested interests?

Just look at the utter religious insanity/ paranoia in the "Madness in Madison/ LaCrosse WI" letter. How many major media outlets will carry that information to the general public?

scombrid · 08-14-2002, 06:09 AM

Great article. Now, if we could only find a way to keep the howlers quiet long enough to read through the entire article.

RichardMorey · 08-14-2002, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Buffman:
<strong>It's wonderful. Now...how do we get the public exposed to it on a scale to match the religious right propaganda? Or in the hands of legislators who will actually read and understand its message..and be willing to place America, the Constitution and principle before their vested interests?</strong>

we need to show them that the separation of church and state is not something that hinders their religion, but helps and protects it. It is in their long-term interest to defend separation. Citizens aren't the only one's hurt by entanglement between church and state - the apathy in Europe towards religion is, I believe, a direct result of hundreds of years of entanglement. If you ask people to pray in schools, prayer isn't special anymore. If you say "God" all the time and it is all over, it loses its power (that's what the third commandment is for).
Also, If the government can favor your religion, the government can disfavor your religion. And you don't want that. The founders knew that you don't want that; thus, the first amendment.

It is in their interest....they just need to see that.

CaptainDave · 08-14-2002, 01:23 PM

RichardMorey wrote:

Quote:

we need to show them that the separation of church and state is not something that hinders their religion, but helps and protects it. It is in their long-term interest to defend separation. Citizens aren't the only one's hurt by entanglement between church and state - the apathy in Europe towards religion is, I believe, a direct result of hundreds of years of entanglement.

This is definitely a powerful argument that we should all be on the same side - but we'll have to make a case for it. Does anyone know of any study which points to entanglement as a major cause of religious apathy in Europe?

RichardMorey · 08-18-2002, 08:07 AM

The article just got published in the kiosk - <a href="http://www.secweb.org" target="_blank">http://www.secweb.org</a>

Thanks for your feedback.

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08-13-2002, 09:56 PM	#2
Buffman Beloved Deceased Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: central Florida Posts: 3,546	It's wonderful. Now...how do we get the public exposed to it on a scale to match the religious right propaganda? Or in the hands of legislators who will actually read and understand its message..and be willing to place America, the Constitution and principle before their vested interests? Just look at the utter religious insanity/ paranoia in the "Madness in Madison/ LaCrosse WI" letter. How many major media outlets will carry that information to the general public?

08-14-2002, 06:09 AM	#3
scombrid Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Central Florida Posts: 2,759	Great article. Now, if we could only find a way to keep the howlers quiet long enough to read through the entire article.

08-18-2002, 08:07 AM	#6
RichardMorey Regular Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Missouri Posts: 112	The article just got published in the kiosk - <a href="http://www.secweb.org" target="_blank">http://www.secweb.org</a> Thanks for your feedback.

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