religion

UPDATE 2: City of Sioux Falls Crack Legal team agrees, Jesus plows violate separation clause

UPDATE 2:

“Students at Lutheran High School of Sioux Falls spent time and effort designing the plow blade they submitted for the city’s Paint the Plows event, Principal Derek Bult said.”

You mean original designs like THIS.

I figured this was coming. I’m wondering when Christians, or for that fact, any religious sect are going to figure out the separation clause is there to protect you from government’s interference in your religious lives and beliefs;

Two private schools in Sioux Falls have been asked to repaint city-owned snow plow blades after a group complained about student artwork with Christian themes.

I think Amanda sums it up very nicely

Some residents might be upset about a protest of Christian-themed art on city snow plows, but all they need to do is consider a role reversal, Amanda Novotny said.

“It would have no business on a plow, I would never do it, but if I painted a plow that said ‘There is no god,’ I think people would be very, very upset about that,” she said.

This commenter to the story also makes a fine point;

It is not discrimination against A religious establishment, it is protection for ALL religious belief.

Exactly!

This is going to get ugly. Already talked to a city councilor who has been getting blowback about it.

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IMAGE: Facebook.

 

Welcome to South Dakota, where the Constitution doesn’t apply

When I see stuff like this, I just shake my head, especially when a governmental body doesn’t understand the US Constitution, ESPECIALLY a school board. Apparently in Miller, SD, they don’t teach any civics courses;

Zacher said he was disappointed the board was forced to change its policy and disallow the Bible distribution.

First off, NO one forced the board to do anything. Following the US Constitution should be a duty of any governmental body, it shouldn’t be something you should even have to think about or second guess, it should come naturally. I bet if someone tried to take away your guns in good ol’ Miller, the Constitution would rear it’s ugly head and be on your side. But like most Hicks, you like to pick and choose what parts of the Constitution you think should apply.

“Our founding fathers felt God very strong in this country,” he said.

Zacher, you are absolutely correct. In fact they thought so highly of God and religion, they wanted to keep government OUT of their personal beliefs on God. The US Constitution’s view on this is to protect people from government’s intrusion into your religious beliefs. When are you going to figure this out?! Does somebody have to hit you upside the head with a bible or better yet a copy of the Constitution. Geez!

My mixed feelings about the ‘invocation’ and the Supreme Court Ruling

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Believe it or not, as a deist, I support it, to a degree. Ben Franklin, my favorite founding father, convinced me that a ‘prayer’ or a time of ‘reflection’ helped calm lawmakers. He felt that before the debates and disagreements in the Congressional Congress started, they essentially ‘broke bread’ together, they shared a time of common good, and reflection, and how our fellow man is our brothers and sisters and while we may want to strangle each other over the next several hours, we will meet in peace first, go fist-a-cuffs, then enjoy some barley pop afterwards.

Of course, our fine mayor must twist it into being about water, wine and tennis;

“Whether it be a motivational reading or a prayer, we have stewards of all denominations actively engaged to help represent the increased diversity of our town,” Huether said.

I wonder if anyone has told Mike that Dale Carnegie wasn’t the son of gawde?

This isn’t about religion, as much as people want to make it about that on both sides, I will say this is about getting along.

Religion and Politics

Trust me, I am not one to come to Joel Rosenthal’s defense that often, to tell you the truth I am on the opposite side of what he says most of the time. I also think calling Stace Nelson a racist was a bit harsh, but as Joel admits, sometimes us blogger’s get things wrong;

Rather than what I “thought” I heard candidate Nelson say.

Following is what Montgomery says his recording of the event shows what Nelson actually said,

“I’m a Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order, and I’ll be the latter as long as it supports the first two.”

It is an important distinction if Nelson is exclusively referring to himself.

My reaction, as Montgomery suggests is different when I read the words, but that does not alter my reaction to what my mind heard.

So what did Joel originally say?

Such xenophobic logic has no place in our political debate. Taken on its face, since Christ was a Jew, would he not meet the Nelson Republican Litmus Test? – And be denied to be a Republican?

Joel doesn’t go into detail but he is pointing out something that has often been a peeve of mine when it comes to politicians; Don’t wear your religion on your sleeve. It’s interesting that Stace thinks you have to be Republican if you are Christian or if you are Christian you should be a Republican. Maybe someone should tell Mayor Huether about Stace’s philosophy. Huether often wears his religion on his sleeve, and he is a Democrat (or at least that is his current registration).

Do I want politicians to be people of faith? Sure. But I really believe it is none of my business what they believe, I think a person’s faith is their personal business. I don’t think a politician is more qualified to lead because they either read the old testament or the new testament. I would much prefer they read a book about law or economics then the bible.

You believe in God. Great. Now tell me what you are going to do to make things better on earth for us mortals, you can discuss heaven in private with God, I have no need to be a part of that conversation. God doesn’t pave our roads, educate our children or fight our wars, tax payers do. We ultimately are the ones that tithe government, we are the congregation of this great nation.