RE: end state-sponsored religions

["Tom Hansen" <thansen@moscow.com>]

Mr Clevenger -

 

I believe that any reference to God, whether it is in the US Constitution, the Pledge of Allegiance, or any other document, is made generically.  What I mean is that the reference to God is to refer to each and every religion's God.  The only noticeable exception is the atheist who does not have a God.

 

I also believe that our founding father's found it nearly impossible to avoid reference to God throughout anything and everything that went into the creation of this great country.  Their answer to this predicament was to refer to God in a general manner.

 

Just a thought,

 

Tom Hansen

-----Original Message-----
From: Earth Life [mailto:onewildearth@hotmail.com]
Sent: Friday, June 28, 2002 2:50 PM
To: vision2020@moscow.com
Subject: end state-sponsored religions

It seems to me that it makes perfect patriotic sense to delete references to God in publicly sponsored events (ie schools, courtrooms, congress, etc.)

 

Not only would we be following the Constitutional Amendment of the separation of church and state, which any patriot surely would stand behind, but we would be encouraging what it means to be an American. 

 

We are a melting pot of cultures, religions, politics, etc.  We are not united by one belief system.  That is obvious reading this email listserve.  By referring to God in state sponsored activities, we are endorsing one (or perhaps a few) world views.  We are excluding other Americans.  If the believers in one God get state endorsement, then so should the believers in other Gods or no God.

 

It seems easier and more American for the state to not endorse any God.

 

Non state-sponsored activities still have the Constitutional right to endorse their God.  The state should not interfere with the right to practice a religion.  That is patriotism as well.

 

In an era where understanding of one another is crucial for world peace, we should strive to not alienate other American cultures.  By referring to "God" in state sponsored activities, we are undermining the ability to reach out as Americans and accept our differences.

 

I am a believer in God, Goddess, the Creative Force, Higher Power, whatever you want to call it, but I still am not offended by the Courts decision to ban the use of the Pledge of Allegiance as it is written now from public schools.  My beliefs are not devalued.

 

Peace from Garrett Clevenger

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