Thursday, December 4, 2008
Crazy Crap / Kotz / Legislature / Politics Atheists Sue, Don't Want God Watching Over Kentucky
Posted by Pete Kotz on Thu, Dec 4, 2008 at 3:35 PM
When the state of Kentucky established its office of Homeland Security, it couldn't help but insert a dash of Conspicuous Christianity for the Bible-thumping folks back home. Believe it or not, the office's first duty is to make sure everyone knows it's praising God.
Kentucky law requires the agency to publicize its "dependence on Almighty God as being vital to the security of the Commonwealth." There's no word on whether legislators actually discussed this with God or nailed down the specifics of His duties. Nor have they revealed the terms of His contract. But they do have a plaque in His honor outside the Emergency Operations Center in Frankfort.
So a band of 10 non-religious people, with the help of the American Atheists group, are suing the state, claiming the plaque and the obsequious fealty are way unconstitutional. Now the battle heads to court, where the winner will be declared based on who generates the most billable hours.
When contacted in Heaven, God refused comment on his duties in Kentucky, though He did mention the possibility of revising his divine plan on human fallibility. "I'm not sure Kentucky legislators and atheists can handle free will," He mumbled.
Comments (8)
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I don't think I understand. If you don't believe in something (in this case God), why would you care if someone believes in him? I don't believe in Santa Claus, but I don't demand that his image be removed from my workplace. Is is really that big of a deal? As far as I know, nobody is requiring anyone to believe in God in Kentucky. Sounds like a bunch of whining to me.
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What about people from other religions? The name God has been co-opted by Judeo-Christians (and Muslims). Those of us who don't worship a god created in the image of father but do worship one or more Great Spirits (Deities) don't want someone else's god (i.e. "God") mixed up in State affairs unless ours are too. They'll end up having to list thousands of gods to avoid violation of the First Amendment. The simple solution: Christians - keep your god out of matters of State and we'll keep our gods out too.
Sam the big deal is that when people base their governmental policies on the supposed 'will' of an imaginary friend, then errors in rational judgement tend to occur.
I can see it from both sides, Sam and Burrito. This kind of conspicuous Christianity seems to run afoul of ecclesiastic rules on humility. It would be nicer to see legislators doing God's work, like maybe helping the people of Kentucky--which I hear He's really into--than mandating slogans and plaques. My guess is that God didn't wake up today and say, "Man, there's a new plaque for me in Frankfort, Kentucky! I'm totally pumped!"
But it would also help to see atheists pick better fights. A grand legal battle over slogans and plaques isn't going to win you any points with the viewing audience at home. It's just another wasted fight over symbolism.
Well, sure, that's easy enough for a monotheistic believer to say--like symbolism somehow doesn't matter. But it does, you know. Sometimes it's not about the viewing audience at home. It's about trying to make a little space for yourself in a state that appears to be openly hostile to your right to believe freely what you want without state interference.
If you don't believe in something (in this case God), why would you care if someone believes in him?
No one cares whether someone chooses to believe in God or not. That's not the issue. Believe in whatever you want. The issue is a GOVERNMENT MANDATE that non-believers believe. That's what a state law requiring that you first praise God for keeping you safe does.
Duh.
Separation of church and state, people. That means the government stays out of religion. It protects the church and it protects the state. Some of the most secular countries in Europe have state religions. Did you know that every person born in Norway is automatically born a Lutheran? If you are Jewish, Muslim, Wiccan, whatever, you have to petition the government to change your religious affiliation. And yet, the number of active Lutheran churchgoers in that country is low. I wonder why that is.
I hear you, Aunt B. But I think the biggest curse of the left over the past few decades has been picking the Gallant Fight that Has No Meaning. These always seem more about looking good than changing anything. The protagonist gets to look like he's waging a good war, there's back slaps all around at the wine and cheese party, but nothing's really altered in the end. You only have so many resources, so it would seem you'd concentrate those on what delivers the most meaningful change. Do they really think they're going to change the ways of the Kentucky legislature? Even if they win, there will just be one less plaque and some language pulled from obscure legislation nobody reads. It's like trying to punch out a guy in a wheelchair because he insulted your wife. I'm just not seeing the score here.
God is a big issue for many. But do we understand who and/or what God really is? I have studied Jungian psychology for the past 15 years and have discovered answers to these questions. And it goes a long way in self discovery, discovering there is a spiritual aspect to every psyche. But spiritual is not necessarily religion. In fact religion can be a major obstacle in discovering a true spiritual identity.
Another question that is associated with religion is the matter of death. At mid-life death becomes something the psyche focuses on, unconsciously if not consciously. Does religion properly answer those questions about death?
If you are not familiar with Jungian psyche {Carl Jung was a student and heir to Sigmund Freud} and you have questions about mid-life issues, religion, death then you may want to join in the discussion at the Myths-Dreams-Symbols Dream Forum. We use dreams as a guide in the 'inner search', mid-life issues and other aspects of the psyche. This is not a 'mystical' approach to dreams but the science of Carl Jung in addressing the psychological aspects of the human condition.
You can find the Myths-Dreams-Symbols Dream Forum at this URL
www.mythsdreamssymbols.com/dreamforum.html
As for Myths-Dreams-Symbols. If you Google Dream Psychology MDS is listed first.
