Freethought & Rationalism Archive

03-10-2003, 04:29 AM

Quote:

HOOVER, Ala. -- Republican Gov. Bob Riley asked 700 Alabamians on Saturday to enlist as prayer soldiers on two war fronts: one in Iraq, the other right here at home.

"There is another war that is going on in this country," Riley said in his keynote address at the Christian Coalition of Alabama's 2003 Friends of the Family Celebration. "This one is far more insidious. It's one that you just can't go and attack. It's a war for the absolute soul of this country.

"God looked down on this country because this country was founded on the rock -- and that rock was our lord and savior Jesus Christ," Riley said. "And when the storms came and the rains came, the rock, it did not move. But over the last 15 or 20 years, something began to erode.

"If we are going to save this country, if we are going to re-establish that belief in God, it's up to us," Riley concluded to enthusiastic applause. "If we don't do it, who will?"

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... · 03-10-2003, 06:22 AM

Not suprising, given the fact that it's from the Fundie Theocratic Republic of Alabama, Undergod.

:banghead:

Really - what were you expecting? I mean, did this really suprise any of you?

SLD · 03-10-2003, 06:55 AM

It's amazing how much I learn about my own state on IIDB. I missed this news cast - thank "GOD". It wouldn't have done my blood pressure any good. I spent yesterday with the real meaning of life - riding bikes and playing softball with my children.

It's impossible to get elected in this state without some reference to your religious beliefs. Even Governor Siegleman, a good Democratic Governor, had to pledge to continu Fob James's fight on C-S separation. At least during his administration we didn't hear such crap as we are from Riley. Whatever his campaign pledge, he wasn't constantly using religion as a rallying tool. I guess I'll have to write a letter to the editor on this one.

Riley is right about one thing though, their traditional faith is eroding. Again, thank "GOD". :boohoo:

SLDER

Alludium Fozdex · 03-10-2003, 12:13 PM

From the linked referenced in the OP:

Quote:

Toby Roth, Riley's chief of staff, appeared Wednesday on an MSNBC cable news show to debate Larry Darby, an activist atheist, about the appropriateness of the study groups.

"I'm going to continue to worship as I see fit whether Mr. Darby likes it or not," Riley roared Saturday.

Again I am reminded of why I fled the Heart of Dixie nearly 10 years ago.

Darby ought to challenge Riley to a slap-fight; it would be about as productive, and far more entertaining.:banghead:

jeebus_man · 03-10-2003, 01:28 PM

Words can't describe my anger. So this will have to do...
@^^) #@^# #$$$$ %##!^@^ #%##:banghead:

American Agnostic · 03-11-2003, 08:14 PM

Damn Theocratic historical revisionists! If you want to live in country ruled by religion move to Iran or Saudi Arabia and leave the US as it was intended to be!

The "traditional" family ideology is largely dead and we seem to be better off for it. Many of the social problems we face today were casued by postwar gorvernment policy which encourged whites (blacks and other minorities were denied access to financal aid and shunned) to move to the suburbs and abandon the inner city. This led to deteriorating conditions there and thus crime. The thought that people still believe that by going back to the cold war-induced nuclear family we can solve the problems that it left behind makes me
sick! :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

Undercurrent · 03-11-2003, 08:50 PM

Quote:

"God looked down on this country because this country was founded on the rock -- and that rock was our lord and savior Jesus Christ," Riley said. "And when the storms came and the rains came, the rock, it did not move. But over the last 15 or 20 years, something began to erode.

Jesus must have quite the sore back after all of these years.

It's really just the standard mantra of the conservative -- "Everything was fine up until 15 or 20 years ago, when I started paying attention to politics." Does he actually think that the early to mid-eighties were a godly time?

SLD · 03-27-2003, 11:25 AM

Well we finally got a response to Gov. Riley's comments printed in the Letter to the Editor section the other day:

Quote:

Gov. Bob Riley's recent comments to the Christian Coalition demand a response. Nowhere in our Declaration of Independence, Constitution, or Bill of Rights is there any mention of Jesus Christ or Christianity.

Of the leading lights of our founders - Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, James Madison, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin - not one ever made a statement supporting Riley's view. Their private correspondence made it abundantly clear that they were for the most part Deists. They specifically stated that this country was not founded on any particular religious belief, but on the
principle that all of us have an equal right to believe or not believe as we choose.

The government had no role whatsoever to play in it. As Jefferson said on the role of government: "[I]t does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg."

Adams signed a treaty stating that "[T]he government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion."

Non-Christians make up a sizable minority in this country (25 percent or more) and for Riley to suggest that they are not part and parcel of the founding of this country is not just bad history - it is wrong on Constitutional, legal and moral grounds. He essentially stated that non-Christians should be treated as second-class citizens. The governor should apologize.

hezekiah jones · 03-27-2003, 02:25 PM

This douchebag oughta try reading his own state constitution, which he swore (probably on a Bible) to uphold:

[That the great, general, and essential principles of liberty and free government may be recognized and established, we declare:]

That no religion shall be established by law; that no preference shall be given by law to any religious sect, society, denomination, or mode of worship; that no one shall be compelled by law to attend any place of worship; nor to pay any tithes, taxes, or other rate for building or repairing any place of worship, or for maintaining any minister or ministry; that no religious test shall be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under this state; and that the civil rights, privileges, and capacities of any citizen shall not be in any manner affected by his religious principles.

Ala. Const. � 3

CALDONIA · 03-27-2003, 02:46 PM

I've never been to Alabama. But one must not condemn the whole South. I offer New Orleans: "Laisser le bon tons rouler!"

I am a frequent visitor and I do not detect much fundie influence (at least in the city). French/Spanish influence means more hedonism than would have occurred with American Protestantism.

A quote I once read: "If you keep your Ten Commandments out of our schools I promise not to think while in your church."

03-10-2003, 01:28 PM	#5
jeebus_man Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Nebraska Posts: 11	@%#^%%@&$#* Words can't describe my anger. So this will have to do... @^^) #@^# #$$$$ %##!^@^ #%##:banghead:

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03-10-2003, 06:22 AM	#2
... Regular Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: United States Posts: 229	Not suprising, given the fact that it's from the Fundie Theocratic Republic of Alabama, Undergod. :banghead: Really - what were you expecting? I mean, did this really suprise any of you?

03-10-2003, 06:55 AM	#3
SLD Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Birmingham, Alabama Posts: 4,109	It's amazing how much I learn about my own state on IIDB. I missed this news cast - thank "GOD". It wouldn't have done my blood pressure any good. I spent yesterday with the real meaning of life - riding bikes and playing softball with my children. It's impossible to get elected in this state without some reference to your religious beliefs. Even Governor Siegleman, a good Democratic Governor, had to pledge to continu Fob James's fight on C-S separation. At least during his administration we didn't hear such crap as we are from Riley. Whatever his campaign pledge, he wasn't constantly using religion as a rallying tool. I guess I'll have to write a letter to the editor on this one. Riley is right about one thing though, their traditional faith is eroding. Again, thank "GOD". :boohoo: SLDER

03-11-2003, 08:14 PM	#6
American Agnostic Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: CA, USA Posts: 56	Damn Theocratic historical revisionists! If you want to live in country ruled by religion move to Iran or Saudi Arabia and leave the US as it was intended to be! The "traditional" family ideology is largely dead and we seem to be better off for it. Many of the social problems we face today were casued by postwar gorvernment policy which encourged whites (blacks and other minorities were denied access to financal aid and shunned) to move to the suburbs and abandon the inner city. This led to deteriorating conditions there and thus crime. The thought that people still believe that by going back to the cold war-induced nuclear family we can solve the problems that it left behind makes me sick! :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

03-27-2003, 02:25 PM	#9
hezekiah jones Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: WI Posts: 4,357	This douchebag oughta try reading his own state constitution, which he swore (probably on a Bible) to uphold: [That the great, general, and essential principles of liberty and free government may be recognized and established, we declare:] That no religion shall be established by law; that no preference shall be given by law to any religious sect, society, denomination, or mode of worship; that no one shall be compelled by law to attend any place of worship; nor to pay any tithes, taxes, or other rate for building or repairing any place of worship, or for maintaining any minister or ministry; that no religious test shall be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under this state; and that the civil rights, privileges, and capacities of any citizen shall not be in any manner affected by his religious principles. Ala. Const. � 3

03-27-2003, 02:46 PM	#10
CALDONIA Regular Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Sunnyvale,CA Posts: 371	I've never been to Alabama. But one must not condemn the whole South. I offer New Orleans: "Laisser le bon tons rouler!" I am a frequent visitor and I do not detect much fundie influence (at least in the city). French/Spanish influence means more hedonism than would have occurred with American Protestantism. A quote I once read: "If you keep your Ten Commandments out of our schools I promise not to think while in your church."

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