What Separation of Church and State?
Last I checked, we were living in a democracy that was embodied by a bill of rights and a separation between Church and State.
However, apparently this 225+ year old piece of news hasn't reached Governor Rick Perry of Texas.
" SAN ANTONIO – Gov. Rick Perry, after a God and country sermon attended by dozens of political candidates Sunday, said that he agreed with the minister that non-Christians will be condemned to hell. "In my faith, that's what it says, and I'm a believer of that," the governor said. "
http://rawstory.com/showoutarticle.php?src=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dallasnews.com%2Fsharedcontent%2Fdws%2Fdn%2Flatestnews%2Fstories%2F110606dnTSWperry.351c57c.html
Well, Governor Perry, thats fine and all, freedom of speech and religion and all that - but when you're in public office, representing a large amount of people, don't you think its only fair that you DON'T insult your constituents OWN personal beliefs and religions? By claiming that non-christians are going to hell, as an elected official, you are basically inserting Church back into the state.
This may be a controversial stance, but when someone who isn't Christian reads that, what kind of reaction do you think they're going to have Mr. Perry? It's blatantly offensive, and for one of the most powerful people in Texas to say that...makes me not want to step foot in that state ever.
So, in summary, Perry can say and do whatever he damn pleases. But to publicly state, as the Governor of Texas, that all non-Christians are going to go to hell...Well, thats just not Kosher.
" Democrat Chris Bell said that a state leader should take more caution.
"God is the only one who can make the decision as to who gets into the kingdom of heaven," he said.
Mr. Bell declined to say whether he agrees that only followers of Jesus can go to heaven.
"I'm a Christian," he said. "Rick Perry certainly is entitled to his beliefs, but when you're in public office, you need to respect people of all faiths and denominations." "
(From same article linked above.)
posted by Shine @ 1:58 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
I found your blog after reading a long string of crud about Holocaust denial (shocked that so many try to deny it), then found this topic. I couldn't help myself...
First of all, "separation of church and state" is found no where in the constitution. Thomas Jefferson derived it from the bill of rights. No doubt many others would have had he not. Many things can be contrived to fit an agenda; yes, even from our own dear constitution. Without digging into the evidence of Jefferson's "intent" (apparently irrelevant now) when he merely mentioned the idea, "separation of church and state" has been so misused and abused to further an agenda of public ignorance and indifference and disdain toward truth.
Secondly, in regards to your charged response: Christians were as much governor Perry's, and are every other public officials', constituents as anyone else. I, a Christian like countless others, vote too. I'm offended by the disregard you expect public officials to have for Christian constituents, as if your ideas are trump. If you don't want to step foot in my state, you have that right. Stay home where you've elected your own officials if you like. That's how our system works.
Third, I commend any public official for speaking truthfully. I'm personally fed up with public officials lying about and dodging around everything. We have become so confused that we can hardly expect any kind of honesty from our elected officials. Once again, the agenda of public ignorance and indifference results. If I elect an official, I expect him/her to answer a question in earnest. Bring it on. It's the best way to deal with it.
Finally, I won't deny that going to hell would be a hard hand to accept. However, the Truth is available and open for all who will accept. There is no middle ground. You've got to serve somebody. And someday, you will die from this world and spend eternity with he whom you have served on earth. Jesus's amazing grace makes serving Him ever-so-possible. Whether by action or inaction, a choice is made, followed inevitably by the matching consequence.
You said, "...Christians were as much governor Perry's, and are every other public officials', constituents as anyone else. I, a Christian like countless others, vote too. I'm offended by the disregard you expect public officials to have for Christian constituents, as if your ideas are trump."
You have missed my point. To make such a religiously charged statement is offensive to me. To reverse this: what if your Governor said that all non-Christians were going to Hell. How would you feel? You wouldn't take that personally?
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