Theocracy News

The innernets are all abuzz with talk of Missouri's resolution to "make Christianity the state's official religion" (The discussion here started on the previous comments thread). Christianity is not a religion though but it appears that Missouri legislators would like to slap down those who do not fall into one of the dozens of Christian categories. The purpose appears on the surface to bring back voluntary prayer in the schools and to allow public displays of Christianity on government property.

This is the story that everyone was talking about:

State bill proposes Christianity be Missouri’s official religion
12:28 AM CST on Friday, March 3, 2006
By John Mills, News 4

Missouri legislators in Jefferson City considered a bill that would name Christianity the state's official "majority" religion.

House Concurrent Resolution 13 has is pending in the state legislature. Many Missouri residents had not heard about the bill until Thursday.

Karen Aroesty of the Anti-defamation league, along with other watch-groups, began a letter writing and email campaign to stop the resolution.

The resolution would recognize "a Christian god," and it would not protect minority religions, but "protect the majority's right to express their religious beliefs. The resolution also recognizes that, "a greater power exists," and only Christianity receives what the resolution calls, "justified recognition."

State representative David Sater of Cassville in southwestern Missouri, sponsored the resolution, but he has refused to talk about it on camera or over the phone.

KMOV also contacted Gov. Matt Blunt's office to see where he stands on the resolution, but he has yet to respond.

This is the actual resolution, which is not a bill despite the headline above:

SECOND REGULAR SESSION
House Concurrent Resolution No. 13
93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
4572L.02I


Whereas, our forefathers of this great nation of the United States recognized a Christian God and used the principles afforded to us by Him as the founding principles of our nation; and

Whereas, 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

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

Whereas, we wish to continue the wisdom imparted in the Constitution of the United States of America by the founding fathers; and

Whereas, we as elected officials recognize that a Greater Power exists above and beyond the institutions of mankind:

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-third General Assembly, Second Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, that 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.

In effect it seems to be saying that since our forefathers recognized a Christian god, and the majority of Missourians believe in a Christian god, then the majority rules and voluntary prayer should be brought back into the public schools and religious displays on public property should be brought back.

I haven't read anywhere just what the percentage is of Missouri Christians who want to be recognized as the majority, but since bush declared he had a mandate with 51% of the alleged vote, don't you have the feeling that any group with a slim lead adopts the bully mentality? It's really quite unchristian. Baby Jesus is crying.