Awful Amendments: Virginia House Undercuts Legacy Of Religious Liberty

[Adsos Letter]

Source: The Wall of Separation
February 2nd, 2011
By Sandhya Bathija.

The Virginia House of Delegates voted yesterday to approve two constitutional amendments that threaten church-state separation: one that promotes prayer in public places, including public schools, and another that permits taxpayer money to fund the religious training and theological education of certain students.

Both of these resolutions, which will move to the Virginia Senate, are contradictory to Jefferson and Madison’s vision for Virginia and the United States. Jefferson and Madison were strong supporters of religious freedom and keeping church and state separate.
~snip~
Del. Bill Carrico (R-Grayson County) sponsored HJR 593, which seeks to add a paragraph to the religious freedom section of the Virginia constitution that states, in part, “the people’s right to pray and to recognize their religious beliefs, heritage, and traditions on public property, including public schools, shall not be infringed.” The resolution passed the House by a 61-33 vote.
~snip~
Americans United also opposed HJR 614, an amendment to the state constitution that would allow taxes to pay for private religious or theological education for National Guard chaplains.
~snip~
LINK: http://blog.au.org/2011/02/02/awful-amendments-virginia-house-undercuts-legacy-of-religious-liberty/
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The theocrats seem unable to be satisfied with the concept of religious FREEDOM.

[AsahinaKimi]

1. So this applies to all prayer?

So if Muslims want to put their prayer rugs down in a public place, people in VA will not complain? OR does this only apply to Christian Prayer? I think, they are in for some choppy seas ahead.

[atreides1]

2. I wouldn't count on it

[justiceischeap]

3. If this amendment passed, the first thing I'd do if I were Muslim Pagan or some other "questionable"

religion I'd hold a prayer vigil in a public place as often as possible.

[The Doctor.]

4. Go straight to Satanic prayer.

Let them see what they've stepped in.

(Not that there's anything necessarily so bad about actual Satanism, but it'll freak them out.)

[Angry Dragon]

5. +1000

If the chaplains don't have enough education then they should not hold the job........

[Adsos Letter]

7. I believe this has nothing to do with either religious freedom or freedom from religion

Just further attempts to promote the "Christian Nation" agenda.

[DirkGently]

6. Yes, should be an interesting lawsuit when, say, Muslim schoolchildren dress or pray accordingly.

[Adsos Letter]

8. No doubt. These are the kinds of laws that, even if evenly applied at the outset

can easily move into the restricted freedom/Christian Nation realm.

The Founders who agreed on religious freedom and Church/State separation had it right.

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

9. Sorry, I never knew INDIVIDUALS were NOT allowed to

... pray in public places.