Resolution Proposes Christianity Be Missouri’s Official Religion- Page 3

[justthefacts2]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 12:32am

"How does this not state that the Majority believe in Christianity and these beliefs should be given more respect than any other? Or more specifically, only Christianity, or the majority, is given the statement of the right to express religious beliefs"

Easy. It doesn't state it. Don't connect the dots, read the sentences. It takes longer to jump to conclusions that way, but in the long run punctuation is your friend.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 12:36am

"Whereas: as elected officials we should protect the majority's right to express their religious beliefs while showing respect for those who object"

The majority is recognized as Christianity:

"the majority of our constituents and exercise the common sense that voluntary prayer in public schools and religious displays on public property are not a coalition of church and state, but rather the justified recognition of the positive role that Christianity has played in this great nation of ours, the United States of America."

A + B = C

If you read that one way, and I read it another, so be it.

[jsg03jd]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 12:53am

Irrespective of whether this text can ever become law, which it cannot because it flies in the face of the Constitution, this is yet another great example of tax dollars being put into good use.

[justthefacts2]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 12:56am

I know we read it two different ways, but I want to see what it is you're reading that gives you that interpretation. "we the majority" is the first reference. Where does the language identify that majority as Christian? No algebra, no dots, I want sentence construction and relative clauses.

(Please don't read this as snide - it's just me being lively. And at least we're addressing the document itself and not the journalism about it.)

[justthefacts2]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 1:12am

Whichever one of us is right, ywiw (I am, of course) - whether this document means the majority is Christian or the majority is all people who believe in some god as opposed to those who don't - the majority is irrelevant, because even if all people of every religion made up the minority of the nation, that minority still should be guaranteed freedom of religious expression. I think that's what this resolution is trying to address.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 1:27am

The first statment in this Resolution references a Christian God. It then continues with a preamble to protect the right of the majority religion, and references the majority religion alone when talking about which religion should be able to express their rights.

It then concludes with the "Now, therefore" section with a reference to standing with the majority of constiutuents regarding the "common sense" of voluntary school prayer (which, is the same majority exercising its rights to expression) along with the ability of the majority to have religious diplay in public places. This reference to the majority, is then followed in the same sentence by a reference to the justifiable recognition of the role Christiantiy has played in "our great nation of ours."

I view this a linking specifically the role a Christian God has played in the formation of this country, with the right of the majority to express its religious views, coupled with a desire to stand with a majority of constituents who recognize that Christianity has played in this great nation of ours, meaning that majority = Christianity.

As an attorney who reviews legal documents, I am often paid to read through the lines. As an attorney who drafts legal documents, I would only write something like this if I was trying to say something, without actually having to say it. So, maybe I am connecting dots where others are not.

As a poster on a web page fighting a cold, I hope the above makes sense. If not, I will just have to live to discuss this another day.

[justthefacts2]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 2:39am

"The first statment in this Resolution references a Christian God."

Yes, it does. But in what context? It makes a statement about history -forefathers of this great nation recognized a Christian God and used the principles afforded to us by Him as the founding principles of our nation- You may argue this as good or bad history.

"It then continues with a preamble to protect the right of the majority religion,"

Where do you see the words "majority religion"? Those are your words. Nor is the construction "religion of the majority" anywhere in this document.

" and references the majority religion alone when talking about which religion should be able to express their rights."

Once again, "majority religion" are your words, and the concept of "which religion gets to" is also your construct.

Oddly enough, I write legal documents for a living. But it's getting way too late - I need sleep. We will engage another day.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 4:57am

I have explained why I see the linkage, and am not going to go around and round with you on the same issue.

To me, religios of the majority and majority religion in context of this resolution.

"as citizens of this great nation, we the majority also wish to exercise our constitutional right to acknowledge our Creator and give thanks for the many gifts provided by Him; and

"as elected officials we should protect the majority's right to express their religious beliefs while showing respect for those who object"

"Now, therefore, . . . we stand with the majority of our constituents and exercise the common sense that voluntary prayer in public schools and religious displays on public property are not a coalition of church and state, but rather the justified recognition of the positive role that Christianity has played in this great nation of ours, the United States of America. "

If you do not see the linkage, then you dont. Please tell me how you interpret the resolution. Because I am not going to keep on restating a point which you clearly disagree with. Please tell me how you would define the intent and language used in this Resolution to apply to a religion other than Christianity.