Ronin

Only in a secular country can this battle be waged ~

Let name portray the many values now in America

from the article:

Michael Cromartie, vice president of the Washington-based Ethics and Public Policy Center, said a "Judeo-Christian understanding of things like freedom of conscience and liberty" are embodied in the Constitution. "No offense intended," he said, "but Muslims weren't a part of that, even though they're part of the discussion now."

Love thy First Amendment.

Jewel

Where's the none of the above choice.

How about using something like American.

Ronin

What's really astounding is the vast ideological difference between the "Abrahamic" First Commandment and America's foundational First Amendment.

First Commandment: I am the Lord Thy god, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

vs.

First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

I prefer the Constitutional values.

NYCparalegal

If anything, the values we hold so dear were inspired by the ancient Greeks and Romans.

So, I guess they would be Greco-Roman values

Ronin

I was thinking more along the lines of Grog-Norlock values...but the under-represented Neanderthals often get so little credit.

theyeti

What the hell? Could someone point out where in the history of either Judaism or Christianity the modern concepts of liberty or freedom of conscience existed at all? And how many Jews were asked their opinion when it came time to write the Constitution?

It's time people realized that these were Enlightenment ideals that were totally opposed to the contemporary Judeo-Christian belief that people didn't have individual rights.

theyeti

Tony

“First Commandment: I am the Lord Thy god, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”

When I was in Soviet Army, the top officer in my regiment was a colonel. He used to say: “I’m you god, tsar and a minister of defense”.

Sound similar?

The colonel’s office and my room with parachutes shared a thin wall in a small building at military airport. I could hear him easily. Usually in the morning the colonel called different officers and yelled and swore at them with or without reason. Just to keep them in fear, control and to show who’s a boss.

One day he called a few officers. He yelled and swore as usual. Suddenly it was a minute or two of silence. I guess, he was sitting, looking at his phone and thinking, if he called everybody he wanted. He couldn’t remember, so he asked himself aloud: “Who I should f#%k next?”

I apologies to people, who might be offended by my analogy.

Ronin

My letter to the editor has been published regarding this issue ~

It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg

The best news is that I've found two local freethinkers to keep me company in print...and in the Sunday paper as well.

Toto

If a label reflects a nation's beliefs... also makes some interesting points.

Jewel

Excellent letter, Ronin! It's also cool that there were 2 others chiming right in. Quite refreshing.