alarming new law?

[Susan Freiman]

Would a resolution for Secular Humanism violate the Constitution?  No 
need to answer - I've been reading Daniel Conkle's book, and not only am 
I enjoying it, I'm learning that this question cannot have a simple answer.

S

Richard Dougherty wrote:
> Well, maybe you will; see below.  Congress does this sort of thing 
> regularly.  (Haven't seen one for atheists yet, but I can't keep up.)
>
> Marty: Do you think the "whereas" you cited that was left out was 
> omitted because it was too over the top, or because the wording of it 
> might actually divide Christians?  (I'm thinking of the specific 
> reference to the Bible especially.)
>  
> Richard J. Dougherty
>
> Resolution on Buddhism (Vietnam):
> http://usinfo.state.gov/dhr/Archive/2003/Dec/01-499319.html
>
> Resolution on Judaism:
> http://www.350th.org/commission/Jewish%20350th%20Res%20passes%20Joint%2011-24.pdf
>
> Resolution on Islam:
> http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&x=20071003165444mlenuhret0.9762384&m=October 
> <http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&x=20071003165444mlenuhret0.9762384&m=October>
> On Ramadan:
> http://pewforum.org/news/display.php?NewsID=14293
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: "Jean Dudley" <jean.dudley at gmail.com>
> Sent 12/15/2007 11:12:13 PM
> To: "Law & Religion issues for Law Academics" <religionlaw at lists.ucla.edu>
> Subject: Re: alarming new law?
>
> It's not a law, it's a "non-binding resolution".  Legally, it's 
> pabulum.  Still, it's a waste of the House's time, IMO.  What effects 
> it has on society at large is up for speculation.  I see it as 
> indicative of a wider mindset that Christians are "persecuted" here 
> and the world over.  Of course they are;  As are Jews, Muslims, 
> Atheists, Buddhists, and every other cultural subset.  Susan, you and 
> I will not live to see a resolution like this passed for any other 
> religion in the good ol' US of A.  
>
> Jean
> On Dec 15, 2007, at Sat, Dec 15,  8:49 PM, Susan Freiman wrote:
>
>> This just came to me from an atheists' list.  Is it true?
>>
>> Susan
>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
>>
>> *PRESS RELEASE*
>> *FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE* 
>> *The Council for Secular Humanism Chides Congress for Disrespecting 
>> Religions
>> *
>> (December 14, 2007) -- Experts from the Council for Secular Humanism 
>> noted with alarm the passage of H. Res. 847 in the House of 
>> Representatives. This unnecessary, unwarranted, and bigoted law, 
>> under the misleading title "Recognizing the Importance of Christm as 
>> and the Christian Faith" passed the House with overwhelming 
>> bipartisan support It effectively undermines the sort of religious 
>> tolerance necessary in these changing times. 
>>
>> Just days ago in the midst of the Jewish Festival of Lights, four 
>> Jewish men in New York City  were attacked on the subway for replying 
>> to a group of ten people who wished them a "Merry Christmas" with a 
>> similar greeting: "Happy Hanukkah.  For this, these men were first 
>> insulted, then beaten. It was a Muslim man who came to their physical 
>> defense.  The actions of the Congress, by passing the resolution and 
>> thus expressing preference to the Christian faith over all the others 
>> represented by the diverse population of these United States , 
>> encourages this sort of behavior.
>>
>> The First Amendment's guarantee of religious liberty, and of the 
>> nonestablishment of religion, was devised to create a secular state 
>> in which all religions would be equally tolerated and none given 
>> preference. The language of the House resolution effectively 
>> undermines the design of the Founders, and creates an atmosphere 
>> where non-Christians will continue to be targeted, treated like 
>> second-class citizens, and even become victims of violence like those 
>> four Jewish subway riders in New York .
>>
>> Paul Kurtz , CSH chair, stated, "It is deplorable that in this day 
>> and age and in light of violence against religious minorities here in 
>> the United States that the Congress would stoke those flames with 
>> preferential language in support of a single religion."  David 
>> Koepsell , CSH's executive director, noted,  "Te First Amendment 
>> Guarantee was designed to prevent the sort of religious intolerance 
>> that resulted in violence in Europe, and our Congress should respect 
>> the intent of the Founders."
>>
>> We call on the Congress to reject this resolution, to stand up for 
>> religious freedom, secularism, and pluralism, and to foster a climate 
>> in which all believers and nonbelievers alike are treated equally.
>> __._,_.___
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