Alabama’s Ten Commandments Amendment

[AmusingMargaret]

Read about it HERE.

I first saw this on some of the news stations that post on Facebook. The comments that followed were expected: “That’s unconstitutional!” “Freedom from/of religion!”

Wait.
Freedom of Religion? ​

God is not religion. Of all the things God said He was: Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace, and so many other names, He never said, “I am religion.” He is God. He exists, He is in control, and He will do what He wants. It is only because of His great mercy that people walking around in a world-induced stupor thinking they are God’s chosen haven’t been destroyed. He is angry with the wicked every day! (Psalm 7:11)

Those opposed say it will be challenged and overruled again in the supreme court, but the SCOTUS is different this time. They also say that if we let Christians erect monuments, we have to let devil worshippers erect monuments as well. The wording of the amendment will probably prevail over that suggestion. Besides, when did “It is written” ever get trumped by the devil?

I cannot even care if this is an unpopular side of the fence to so many. It is exactly what America needs. I hope it takes root in Alabama and spreads all over these United States!

 

[DawnStar]

Nevermind the fact that the Isrealites did not create monuments for the ten commandments anywhere. They were shut up in the Ark of the Covenant according to the bible.

 

[majj27]

So they're trying to specifically allow only a single type of religious monument?

That...that isn't going to fly.

 

[DawnStar]

So they're trying to specifically allow only a single type of religious monument?

That...that isn't going to fly.

I agree. It might pass in Alabama but I believe the US Supreme Court will knock it down. I believe there is a lot of wishful thinking on the part of some Christians believing that the Supreme Court would uphold this. The makeup of the court may be different now but they are not theocrats. Allowing only this type of monument would be close to promoting one religion over another. God may not be a religion but Christianity is.

 

[AmusingMargaret]

So they're trying to specifically allow only a single type of religious monument?

That...that isn't going to fly.

From the website:

The measure would add an amendment to the state constitution to authorize the display of the Ten Commandments on public property, including public schools. The Ten Commandments would be required to be displayed, according to the measure, "in a manner that complies with constitutional requirements," including being mixed with historical or educational items. The measure would prohibit the state from using public funds to defend the constitutionality of the amendment. The measure would also add three statements about religious rights to the state constitution:[1]

(1) "Every person shall be at liberty to worship God according to the dictates of his or her own conscience."
(2) "No person shall be compelled to attend, or, against his or her consent, to contribute to the erection or support of any place of religious worship, or to pay tithes, taxes, or other rates for the support of any minister of the gospel."
(3) "The civil and political rights, privileges, and capacities of no person shall be diminished or enlarged on account of his or her religious belief."

We'll see if God allows it to fly. Who knows what He has in store? He had His hand in establishing America with a specific purpose, and acceptance of other gods wasn't one of them.

 

[AmusingMargaret]

Nevermind the fact that the Isrealites did not create monuments for the ten commandments anywhere. They were shut up in the Ark of the Covenant according to the bible.

Actually, I don't think it's a monument so much as the right to display the Ten Commandments.

 

[sfs]

God is not religion.

No, God is not religion. Publicly displaying a religious text like the ten commandments, however, is religion.

 

[majj27]

From the website:

The measure would add an amendment to the state constitution to authorize the display of the Ten Commandments on public property, including public schools. The Ten Commandments would be required to be displayed, according to the measure, "in a manner that complies with constitutional requirements," including being mixed with historical or educational items. The measure would prohibit the state from using public funds to defend the constitutionality of the amendment. The measure would also add three statements about religious rights to the state constitution:[1]

(1) "Every person shall be at liberty to worship God according to the dictates of his or her own conscience."
(2) "No person shall be compelled to attend, or, against his or her consent, to contribute to the erection or support of any place of religious worship, or to pay tithes, taxes, or other rates for the support of any minister of the gospel."
(3) "The civil and political rights, privileges, and capacities of no person shall be diminished or enlarged on account of his or her religious belief."

We'll see if God allows it to fly. Who knows what He has in store? He had His hand in establishing America with a specific purpose, and acceptance of other gods wasn't one of them.

As written, that won't pass constitutional muster. If you allow one religious monument on in a public (much less government) place, you cannot then forbid others. This is pretty well settled case law.

The specific mention of the Ten Commandments in the proposed amendment makes the entire amendment unconstitutional on it's face. This will collapse under the first legal challenge.

 

[majj27]

Actually, I don't think it's a monument so much as the right to display the Ten Commandments.

Which is a religious display. And you can't do that on public ground without allowing others to do the same with their religious texts and symbols.

 

[DawnStar]

He had His hand in establishing America with a specific purpose, and acceptance of other gods wasn't one of them.

While many of the founding fathers acknowledged God it is to their credit that they did not forbid any acceptance of other gods. The U.S. is a secular nation. Or would you prefer a theocracy that forbids worship of any other gods?

 

[sfs]

Who knows what He has in store?

Quite.

He had His hand in establishing America with a specific purpose, and acceptance of other gods wasn't one of them.

When did he tell you his specific purpose in establishing the US?

 

[majj27]

While many of the founding fathers acknowledged God it is to their credit that they did not forbid any acceptance of other gods. The U.S. is a secular nation. Or would you prefer a theocracy that forbids worship of any other gods?

And then we'd get to fight over which denomination is in charge. Always such fun.

 

[AmusingMargaret]

And then we'd get to fight over which denomination is in charge. Always such fun.

Isn't that the truth!

 

[AmusingMargaret]

Quite.

When did he tell you his specific purpose in establishing the US?

Haha...well, He didn't speak to me. He just put as number one in those aforementioned Ten Commandments that thing about "no other gods..."

 

[DawnStar]

Haha...well, He didn't speak to me. He just put as number one in those aforementioned Ten Commandments that thing about "no other gods..."

Which has nothing to do with establishing the US. God may have allowed the establishment of the country but he did not establish it. The founding fathers and the U.S. Constitution did.

 

[AmusingMargaret]

Which has nothing to do with establishing the US. God may have allowed the establishment of the country but he did not establish it. The founding fathers and the U.S. Constitution did.

Oh, right...because He could never use people to establish His plans.

 

[DawnStar]

Oh, right...because He could never use people to establish His plans.

Then it was obviously not in His plans for the people he used to forbid worship of other gods in the United States. If God established the U.S. as you say then he also allowed the freedom for people to worship or not worship any god they choose in spite of the 1st commandment.

 

[AmusingMargaret]

Then it was obviously not in His plans for the people he used to forbid worship of other gods in the United States.

I'm not arguing with you. Stand up for the worship all the other gods you please. You'll excuse me if I don't join you, I'm sure.

 

[majj27]

I'm not arguing with you. Stand up for the worship all the other gods you please. You'll excuse me if I don't join you, I'm sure.

Allowing others to exercise their rights as defined by law? Sounds downright American to me.

 

[DawnStar]

I'm not arguing with you. Stand up for the worship all the other gods you please. You'll excuse me if I don't join you, I'm sure.

Only if you excuse me for not wanting a theocratic form of government in the U.S. as you seem to desire.