Don't Hate, Just Sit Back, Relax, And Watch
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Don't Hate, Just Sit Back, Relax, And Watch
Friend of mine showed me this today
thought i'd share it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVUecPhQPqY
-EAmon
thought i'd share it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVUecPhQPqY
-EAmon
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This country was founded on Christian Bleifs....Read History.
http://www.americanvision.com/united...iannation.aspx
Recently, many authors have debated whether or not the United States of America was founded as a Christian nation. I wish to provide a few historical quotes from our Founding Era that lend credence to the supposition that we indeed were founded as a Christian nation.
Granted, God is not mentioned in the Constitution, but He is mentioned in every major document leading up to the final wording of the Constitution. For example, Connecticut is still known as the "Constitution State" because its colonial constitution was used as a model for the United States Constitution. Its first words were: "For as much as it has pleased the almighty God by the wise disposition of His Divine Providence…"
Most of the fifty-five Founding Fathers who worked on the Constitution were members of orthodox Christian churches and many were even evangelical Christians. The first official act in the First Continental Congress was to open in Christian prayer, which ended in these words: "...the merits of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Savior. Amen". Sounds Christian to me.
Ben Franklin, at the Constitutional Convention, said: "...God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?"
John Adams stated so eloquently during this period of time that; "The general principles on which the fathers achieved Independence were ... the general principles of Christianity ... I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that the general principles of Christianity are as etemal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God."
Later, John Quincy Adams answered the question as to why, next to Christmas, was the Fourth of July this most joyous and venerated day in the United States. He answered: "...Is it not that the Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer’s mission upon earth? That it laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity?" Sounds like the founding of a Christian nation to me. John Quincy Adams went on to say that the biggest victory won in the American Revolution was that Christian principles and civil government would be tied together In what he called an "indissoluble" bond. The Founding Fathers understood that religion was inextricably part of our nation and government. The practice of the Christian religion in our government was not only welcomed but encouraged.
The intent of the First Amendment was well understood during the founding of our country. The First Amendment was not to keep religion out of government. It was to keep Government from establishing a 'National Denomination" (like the Church of England). As early as 1799 a court declared: "By our form of government the Christian religion is the established religion; and all sects and denominations of Christians are placed on the same equal footing." Even in the letter that Thomas Jefferson wrote to the Baptists of Danbury Connecticut (from which we derive the term "separation of Church and State") he made it quite clear that the wall of separation was to insure that Government would never interfere with religious activities because religious freedom came from God, not from Government.
Even George Washington who certainly knew the intent of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, since he presided over their formation, said in his "Farewell Address": "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars." Sure doesn't sound like Washington was trying to separate religion and politics.
John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, and one of the three men most responsible for the writing of the Constitution declared:
"Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is their duty-as well as privilege and interest- of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers." Still sounds like the Founding Fathers knew this was a Christian nation.
This view, that we were a Christian nation, was hold for almost 150 years until the Everson v. Board of Education ruling in 1947. Before that momentous ruling, even the Supreme Court knew that we were a Christian nation. In 1892 the Court stated:
"No purpose of action against religion can be imputed to any legislation, state or national, because this is a religious people...This is a Christian nation." There it is again! From the Supreme Court of the United States. This court went on to cite 87 precedents (prior actions, words, and rulings) to conclude that this was a "Christian nation".
In 1854, the House Judiciary Committee said: "in this age, there is no substitute for Christianity...That was the religion of the founders of the republic, and they expected it to remain the religion of their descendants.'
It should be noted here that even as late as 1958 a dissenting judge warned in Baer v. Kolmorgen that if the court did not stop talking about the "separation of Church and State", people were going to start thinking it was part of the Constitution.
It has been demonstrated in their own words: Ben Franklin, George Washington and John Adams, to the House of Representatives and the Supreme Court, how our founding fathers felt about the mix of politics and religion.
When we read articles such as "What's God got to do with it?" (Primack, 5/4) and "The wall between state and church must not be breached" (Tager, 5/7) it just reaffirms how little, even intelligent people, understand about the founding of our great Republic. To say that this nation was not founded as a Christian nation or that the Constitution was not founded on Christian principles is totally at odds with the facts of history.
http://www.americanvision.com/united...iannation.aspx
Recently, many authors have debated whether or not the United States of America was founded as a Christian nation. I wish to provide a few historical quotes from our Founding Era that lend credence to the supposition that we indeed were founded as a Christian nation.
Granted, God is not mentioned in the Constitution, but He is mentioned in every major document leading up to the final wording of the Constitution. For example, Connecticut is still known as the "Constitution State" because its colonial constitution was used as a model for the United States Constitution. Its first words were: "For as much as it has pleased the almighty God by the wise disposition of His Divine Providence…"
Most of the fifty-five Founding Fathers who worked on the Constitution were members of orthodox Christian churches and many were even evangelical Christians. The first official act in the First Continental Congress was to open in Christian prayer, which ended in these words: "...the merits of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Savior. Amen". Sounds Christian to me.
Ben Franklin, at the Constitutional Convention, said: "...God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?"
John Adams stated so eloquently during this period of time that; "The general principles on which the fathers achieved Independence were ... the general principles of Christianity ... I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that the general principles of Christianity are as etemal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God."
Later, John Quincy Adams answered the question as to why, next to Christmas, was the Fourth of July this most joyous and venerated day in the United States. He answered: "...Is it not that the Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer’s mission upon earth? That it laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity?" Sounds like the founding of a Christian nation to me. John Quincy Adams went on to say that the biggest victory won in the American Revolution was that Christian principles and civil government would be tied together In what he called an "indissoluble" bond. The Founding Fathers understood that religion was inextricably part of our nation and government. The practice of the Christian religion in our government was not only welcomed but encouraged.
The intent of the First Amendment was well understood during the founding of our country. The First Amendment was not to keep religion out of government. It was to keep Government from establishing a 'National Denomination" (like the Church of England). As early as 1799 a court declared: "By our form of government the Christian religion is the established religion; and all sects and denominations of Christians are placed on the same equal footing." Even in the letter that Thomas Jefferson wrote to the Baptists of Danbury Connecticut (from which we derive the term "separation of Church and State") he made it quite clear that the wall of separation was to insure that Government would never interfere with religious activities because religious freedom came from God, not from Government.
Even George Washington who certainly knew the intent of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, since he presided over their formation, said in his "Farewell Address": "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars." Sure doesn't sound like Washington was trying to separate religion and politics.
John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, and one of the three men most responsible for the writing of the Constitution declared:
"Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is their duty-as well as privilege and interest- of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers." Still sounds like the Founding Fathers knew this was a Christian nation.
This view, that we were a Christian nation, was hold for almost 150 years until the Everson v. Board of Education ruling in 1947. Before that momentous ruling, even the Supreme Court knew that we were a Christian nation. In 1892 the Court stated:
"No purpose of action against religion can be imputed to any legislation, state or national, because this is a religious people...This is a Christian nation." There it is again! From the Supreme Court of the United States. This court went on to cite 87 precedents (prior actions, words, and rulings) to conclude that this was a "Christian nation".
In 1854, the House Judiciary Committee said: "in this age, there is no substitute for Christianity...That was the religion of the founders of the republic, and they expected it to remain the religion of their descendants.'
It should be noted here that even as late as 1958 a dissenting judge warned in Baer v. Kolmorgen that if the court did not stop talking about the "separation of Church and State", people were going to start thinking it was part of the Constitution.
It has been demonstrated in their own words: Ben Franklin, George Washington and John Adams, to the House of Representatives and the Supreme Court, how our founding fathers felt about the mix of politics and religion.
When we read articles such as "What's God got to do with it?" (Primack, 5/4) and "The wall between state and church must not be breached" (Tager, 5/7) it just reaffirms how little, even intelligent people, understand about the founding of our great Republic. To say that this nation was not founded as a Christian nation or that the Constitution was not founded on Christian principles is totally at odds with the facts of history.
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This whole christian base nation is bull crap. why was america sought out for many people in europe or many other countries? was it not for freedom? was it not to get away from religious oppression?
personally nothing has changed much now has it?
Just remember the quote posted at the feet of the statue of liberty. Its not give me your christians, your straights, and whites. it is...
"Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset hates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lighting, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
I dont care if it is a christian nation or not, if you are so ignorant to ignore the very foundation of many religions, than you have lost your own ability to read and listen to its teachings. dont forget, jesus didnt work with the best of people, his following and the people he WANTED to be with, is this exact refuse: disabled, ___, poor, and beaten.
personally nothing has changed much now has it?
Just remember the quote posted at the feet of the statue of liberty. Its not give me your christians, your straights, and whites. it is...
"Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset hates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lighting, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
I dont care if it is a christian nation or not, if you are so ignorant to ignore the very foundation of many religions, than you have lost your own ability to read and listen to its teachings. dont forget, jesus didnt work with the best of people, his following and the people he WANTED to be with, is this exact refuse: disabled, ___, poor, and beaten.
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The Role of Religion in Government
Americans overwhelmingly consider the U.S. a Christian nation. A Pew Report showed 76% of Republicans, 63% of Democrats,and 67% of independents view the U.S. a Christian nation. Secular categories are the only subgroup in which fewer than a majority sees the U.S. as a Christian country. [1]
The Declaration of Independence acknowledges the existence of a God when it refers to "the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God" and says all men "are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights." That statement was inserted by the author, Thomas Jefferson, whose religious beliefs were Deistic.
Many early Americans emigrated because of religious persecution in their home countries. The American Founding Fathers adhered to various sects of Christianity, including Catholicism, Protestantism, and Deism. They recognized that Judeo-Christian tradition in addition to other legal traditions should inform the Constitution.
Based upon these beliefs, the Founding Fathers specifically placed into the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution a sentence which states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." The first clause is referred to as the Establishment Clause, and the second the Free Exercise Clause. Even in contemporary times, citizens often mistakenly insist the First Amendment mandated separation of church and state, which it clearly does not. It is obvious by the writings and the documents they produced that the Founding Fathers could not even conceptualize (let alone desire) a government without Christian principles. However, in a letter that Thomas Jefferson wrote to the Danbury Baptists, he himself described the First Amendment as "a wall of separation between Church and State." [2]
Cathedral of the Plains, Kansas.This "Free Exercise Clause" of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution began increasingly to be tested and interpreted by the judiciary in the late 19th century as a result of the increasing population of religious minorities in the country.
The Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, the Federalist Papers, and the many personal papers of the Founding Fathers have been used to examine the issue. Different and sometimes contradicting statements have been noted regarding the influence of religion on government, and it can be difficult sometimes to interpret the importance and precedence of personal beliefs, legal intent, and actual verbiage in the documents.
In recent decades, the U.S. Supreme Court has used the "lemon test" as a means for determining whether or not a particular controversy causes excessive entanglement between government and religion, though in some cases has allowed religious icons (such as the Ten Commandments display in Texas.[3])
In America today, an individual's party affiliation is at times determined by their personal view of the relationship between religion and government. Many other social issues, such as abortion, euthanasia, freedom of speech, and cloning may be based on an individual's religious beliefs, as well as other beliefs.
Americans overwhelmingly consider the U.S. a Christian nation. A Pew Report showed 76% of Republicans, 63% of Democrats,and 67% of independents view the U.S. a Christian nation. Secular categories are the only subgroup in which fewer than a majority sees the U.S. as a Christian country. [1]
The Declaration of Independence acknowledges the existence of a God when it refers to "the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God" and says all men "are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights." That statement was inserted by the author, Thomas Jefferson, whose religious beliefs were Deistic.
Many early Americans emigrated because of religious persecution in their home countries. The American Founding Fathers adhered to various sects of Christianity, including Catholicism, Protestantism, and Deism. They recognized that Judeo-Christian tradition in addition to other legal traditions should inform the Constitution.
Based upon these beliefs, the Founding Fathers specifically placed into the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution a sentence which states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." The first clause is referred to as the Establishment Clause, and the second the Free Exercise Clause. Even in contemporary times, citizens often mistakenly insist the First Amendment mandated separation of church and state, which it clearly does not. It is obvious by the writings and the documents they produced that the Founding Fathers could not even conceptualize (let alone desire) a government without Christian principles. However, in a letter that Thomas Jefferson wrote to the Danbury Baptists, he himself described the First Amendment as "a wall of separation between Church and State." [2]
Cathedral of the Plains, Kansas.This "Free Exercise Clause" of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution began increasingly to be tested and interpreted by the judiciary in the late 19th century as a result of the increasing population of religious minorities in the country.
The Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, the Federalist Papers, and the many personal papers of the Founding Fathers have been used to examine the issue. Different and sometimes contradicting statements have been noted regarding the influence of religion on government, and it can be difficult sometimes to interpret the importance and precedence of personal beliefs, legal intent, and actual verbiage in the documents.
In recent decades, the U.S. Supreme Court has used the "lemon test" as a means for determining whether or not a particular controversy causes excessive entanglement between government and religion, though in some cases has allowed religious icons (such as the Ten Commandments display in Texas.[3])
In America today, an individual's party affiliation is at times determined by their personal view of the relationship between religion and government. Many other social issues, such as abortion, euthanasia, freedom of speech, and cloning may be based on an individual's religious beliefs, as well as other beliefs.
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i think this issue takes time. same way that the abolition of slavery takes time. imagine the period of time between the abolition to the end of segregation. take that time frame and thats going to be how long it takes the country to accept ___ marriage. and unfortunately thats the reality. the founding fathers wrote the documents for the white people. they wrote naturalization laws after the constitution to allow only whites to be citizens of the "free" country. thats how it is and just give it time. for those like me and support equal marriage rights for gays just support your stance and nots get too heated.
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Our founding fathers left England to get away from Religious persecution, among other forms of persecution. And yet, less than 250 years later, our populace has regressed to persecuting others for their beliefs and practices.
Yes, one may call us a "Christian" nation, if you were to take polling data on religion... but, what would that serve? As justification for orchestrating canon-based laws, much like Iran? We become no different than the radicals we face on the battlefield.
Sure, there is a war between Islam and Judeo-Christians... but the REAL war is tolerance vs. fundamentalism. Across our very own nation, we are raising a generation born out of hate... hate for anything other than their own specifically branded, ready-made slop that's force-fed to them hourly by radical preachers.
Everyone knows this movie trailer...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RNfL6IVWCE
This scares the crap out of me. How is that any different from a polarizing Islamic camp? How "Christian" do you think these kids will end up behaving? Sure they'll advocate the Protestant Christian cause, but they'll end up being the polar opposite of what Jesus taught.
Jesus, a jew, was tolerant of the sinners, and welcomed them to his table. He was tolerant of the Samaritan woman. In spite of his divine nature, he spoke to human beings as one-on-one. He preached about tolerance, and strongly advocated, "DO NOT JUDGE, FOR YOU WILL BE JUDGED." It is our place to legislate decency, but certainly not morality.
It's my opinion that the controversy over religious icons, such as the Ten commandments, is simply a diversion... a "straw man", idealizing an artistic and thought-provoking display as a representative of what the atheists take as their enemy. No doubt that they, too, are fundamentalizing themselves, and are becoming as bad as the very thing they're rebelling against.
(and let me point out, I'm one of the most right-winged kooks you'll find on this board... that should say something)
Yes, one may call us a "Christian" nation, if you were to take polling data on religion... but, what would that serve? As justification for orchestrating canon-based laws, much like Iran? We become no different than the radicals we face on the battlefield.
Sure, there is a war between Islam and Judeo-Christians... but the REAL war is tolerance vs. fundamentalism. Across our very own nation, we are raising a generation born out of hate... hate for anything other than their own specifically branded, ready-made slop that's force-fed to them hourly by radical preachers.
Everyone knows this movie trailer...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RNfL6IVWCE
This scares the crap out of me. How is that any different from a polarizing Islamic camp? How "Christian" do you think these kids will end up behaving? Sure they'll advocate the Protestant Christian cause, but they'll end up being the polar opposite of what Jesus taught.
Jesus, a jew, was tolerant of the sinners, and welcomed them to his table. He was tolerant of the Samaritan woman. In spite of his divine nature, he spoke to human beings as one-on-one. He preached about tolerance, and strongly advocated, "DO NOT JUDGE, FOR YOU WILL BE JUDGED." It is our place to legislate decency, but certainly not morality.
It's my opinion that the controversy over religious icons, such as the Ten commandments, is simply a diversion... a "straw man", idealizing an artistic and thought-provoking display as a representative of what the atheists take as their enemy. No doubt that they, too, are fundamentalizing themselves, and are becoming as bad as the very thing they're rebelling against.
(and let me point out, I'm one of the most right-winged kooks you'll find on this board... that should say something)
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Its one thing to cut and paste from a website, and another thing to fully grasp the implications of what it means for the future of the country that is wavering DANGEROUSLY close to Theocracy.
btw thanks for the 'history' lesson tool rofl
"A professorship in theology should have no place in our institution."
"The priests of the different religous sects fear the progression of science like witches do the approach of daylight."
- Thomas Jefferson
Have no fear however. In the last election cycle we saw the definitive death of the Republican Party in this counrty. The Christian Right is soon to follow.
btw thanks for the 'history' lesson tool rofl
"A professorship in theology should have no place in our institution."
"The priests of the different religous sects fear the progression of science like witches do the approach of daylight."
- Thomas Jefferson
Have no fear however. In the last election cycle we saw the definitive death of the Republican Party in this counrty. The Christian Right is soon to follow.
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From: Shreveport, LA
Originally Posted by PRODIGY3000
Have no fear however. In the last election cycle we saw the definitive death of the Republican Party in this counrty. The Christian Right is soon to follow.
Absolutely not. Such a loss of Government power means that the Party is due for a restructuring. I, as a hardcore conservative, would agree. We had the opportunity of a lifetime to instill good, conservative principles... and we blew it, acting like the people we so heartily preached against. We threw up a "moderate", "wishy-washy", vague candidate against one of the most polarizing Liberals this nation has ever seen... and we were beaten.
McCain, in NO WAY, represents what true conservatives believe. That's why conservatives didn't vote for him... no one was motivated to show up and vote, save for those genuinely scared of what Obama may be capable of.
Conservatism will be back in power, as cycles are "cyclical." Until then, we will continue to fight for what we believe in.
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From: Parsippany, NJ
Originally Posted by BrownDogg
This country was founded on Christian Bleifs....Read History.
It's 2008, times have changed. It's time for you to remove your head from your anus.
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Originally Posted by PRODIGY3000
The republican's rely on their fiscal policies to keep them in power. Those have failed. For good.
The problem is, Republicans and Conservatives are two very different things. At one point, they weren't... but since our Republican leaders have gotten very far away from Conservative policies, their base has shifted away from them.
What is "conservative" about running up the national debt? What is "conservative" about supporting $700B (on paper, more in reality) in bailouts? What is "conservative" about allowing FM / FM to run wild without ANY type of oversight? What is conservative about failing to oversee the current billions being handed out?
The answer is nothing. Nothing. Very little of what the Republicans have been doing in the past 8 years has been truly "conservative," and in the process, we DO the things our Liberal foes PROMISE to do. We've just elected a president who wants to raise our taxes like crazy, not for the sake of "balancing" anything, but so that the government may expand and start new programs. New spending and further degradation of the US dollar through "saviour" programs will only make our current issues worse, much like what Hoover and Carter did. We're likely seeing history repeat itself.
We lost because of the split between Republicans and Conservativism. This is a golden opportunity for those Republicans in office to sit back and realize that actions unsupported by the voters have consequences. Since every politician has a thick skull, it might take a few years to get things shaken out... but it can be assured that the election of the most polarizing figure in the history of American politics will only expedite the process.
Once the Republicans/Conservatives can put forth a candidate that they can collectively rally behind, much like Obama did for the democrats, then we will have an opportunity to come back into power. Until then, we can only hope to block some of the stuff coming down the pipeline.
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Ok, back on topic.
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Prop 8 will likely be repealed by the courts.... particularly when we're dealing with the 9th circuit here.
It should be noted... that if a topic such as Black / Women's sufferage would have been put to a vote, it would have likely lost, big time. Most of the time, legislating from the bench is a HORRID idea... but every once in a while, an opportunity comes along that gives the courts a chance to do what it's meant to do... Ensure justice.
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Olbermann's Prop 8 segment was great.
To all those who say it's a Christian nation. Read the first amendment.
To sum it up, freedom of religion is the freedom of an individual or community, in public or private, to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance. It is generally recognized to also include the freedom to change religion or not to follow any religion. Freedom of religion is considered by many in many nations and people to be a fundamental human right.
This means you can choose any religion you want (including none of em) and that the government has no right to enforce restrictions on people based upon religious fundamentals.
To all those who say it's a Christian nation. Read the first amendment.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
This means you can choose any religion you want (including none of em) and that the government has no right to enforce restrictions on people based upon religious fundamentals.
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Originally Posted by burstaneurysm
Olbermann's Prop 8 segment was great.
To all those who say it's a Christian nation. Read the first amendment.
To sum it up, freedom of religion is the freedom of an individual or community, in public or private, to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance. It is generally recognized to also include the freedom to change religion or not to follow any religion. Freedom of religion is considered by many in many nations and people to be a fundamental human right.
This means you can choose any religion you want (including none of em) and that the government has no right to enforce restrictions on people based upon religious fundamentals.
To all those who say it's a Christian nation. Read the first amendment.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
This means you can choose any religion you want (including none of em) and that the government has no right to enforce restrictions on people based upon religious fundamentals.