Any Establishment Clause problems with this proposal

[Volokh, Eugene]

	Some of it is pretty clearly unobjectionable; but would some of
it violate either the no endorsement principle -- perhaps on the grounds
that it condemns "disrespect" towards religious holy books -- or (more
likely) the principle that the government ought not take official stands
about the true meaning of religious beliefs?  For instance, is the claim
that the Quran teaches valuable lessons about peace, humanity, and
spirituality is an assertion about religious truth, or just a
sociological observation that some/many/most Muslims who read it pick up
those lessons?

	Eugene


HRES 288 IH

109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 288
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives condemning bigotry
and religious intolerance, and recognizing that holy books of every
religion should be treated with dignity and respect.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 19, 2005
Mr. CONYERS (for himself, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, Ms. ESHOO, Mr.
FILNER, Mr. KUCINICH, Mr. MEEHAN, Mr. PASCRELL, and Mr. SERRANO)
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee
on the Judiciary

RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives condemning bigotry
and religious intolerance, and recognizing that holy books of every
religion should be treated with dignity and respect.

Whereas believers of all religions, including the Abrahamic faiths of
Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, should be treated with respect and
dignity;

Whereas the word Islam comes from the Arabic root word meaning 'peace'
and 'submission';

Whereas there are an estimated 7,000,000 Muslims in America, from a wide
variety of ethnic backgrounds, forming an integral part of the social
fabric of America;

Whereas the Quran is the holy book for Muslims who recite passages from
it in prayer and learn valuable lessons about peace, humanity, and
spirituality;

Whereas it should never be official policy of the United States
Government to disparage the Quran, Islam, or any religion in any way,
shape, or form;

Whereas mistreatment of prisoners and disrespect toward the holy book of
any religion is unacceptable and against civilized humanity; and

Whereas the infringement of an individual's right to freedom of religion
violates the Constitution and laws of the United States: Now, therefore,
be it

    Resolved, That the House of Representatives -

       1. condemns bigotry, acts of violence, and intolerance against
any religious group, including our friends, neighbors, and citizens of
the Islamic faith;
       2. declares that the civil rights and civil liberties of all
individuals, including those of the Islamic faith, should be protected;
       3. recognizes that the Quran, the holy book of Islam, as any
other holy book of any religion, should be treated with dignity and
respect; and
       4. calls upon local, State, and Federal authorities to work to
prevent bias-motivated crimes and acts against all individuals,
including those of the Islamic faith.