A sign placed near a Nativity scene in the lobby of the WA State Capitol building by the group Freedom From Religion has received national attention; especially vociferous denunciations from none other than FOX television commentator Bill OReilly, who berated Governor Chris Gregoire and the liberal un-churched Washingtonians for allowing this affront to Christianity. This event has turned into a Three-Ring-Circus to include protests from all sides in this mole hill turned into a mountain. Now the Capitol lobby has turned into the nexus for all forms of religious expression, coincidentally during this time of PEACE ON EARTH, GOODWILL TOWARD MEN.” Even included in all the symbols of faith is a sign celebrating “FESTIVUS” as portrayed on the KSTW Channel 11(UPN) television station sitcom, “SEINFELD.”
Supporters of Free Thinkers and true believers clash once again to include Co-Pastor Wendy Treat of Christian Faith Center in Federal Way, WA and Pastor Ken Hutcherson of Antioch Bible Church in Kirkland, WA. It is surprising that Pastor Hutcherson has the time because his energies are usually focused on waging a one-man crusade against the GLTB community. Be that as it may, the ‘real’ issue isn’t religion anyway, but rather the United States Constitution. The Founding Fathers of the Nation, those original representatives of the 13 colonies or Confederation as well as some of the great thinkers of the time whose intellect, philosophy, virtue, and doubtless belief in a Supreme Being helped erect the cornerstone and shape the framework of this great experiment in this government of a Democratic Representative Republic.
One of the essential elements that must be closely looked at is the very structure and language embedded within our most cherished documents. The Preamble to the Constitution and the Declaration of the Constitution itself do not contain language that can be constructed to embody the belief in any particular faith practice concept of deity. In fact, the words religion, Nature’s God, and Creator are ‘generic’ terms that can be applied to any number of religions; and not to any particular one or worldview.
The original settlers and immigrants who came to America doubtless embraced the full spectrum of religious as well as secular thought and experience. It must also be noted that the beginning clause First Amendment says, “Congress [Federal Government] shall not establish a religion [National], nor would it make it illegal for the establishment of one. This seems to imply that it would be left up to the people to practice ‘religion’ as they so determine without interference from the Federal Government. Also within this same Amendment is perhaps the most important, namely, Freedom of Speech. It is UNCONSTITUTIONAL to censure, abrogate, or deny the practice of this Right; no matter how much one may disagree with the expression of it.
Now what have been the history, tradition, and cultural practice for nearly 250 years are citizens who embrace a Christian Theology and whose influence permeate all aspects of American society as well as educational, political, and social institutions. It is unfortunate that the placard placed by this one atheist group denigrates all religions, including itself, but yet, it is still protected under the provision of the Constitution. During the Vietnam War many protestors and demonstrators burned the American flag, but a later US Supreme Court ruled that such actions, as seemingly anti-American, unpatriotic, and disrespectful were nevertheless, Free Speech as allowed under The First Amendment.
This entire matter has for the moment, taken people’s minds off the dreary economic news and unemployment figures, so in a strange and ironic sort of way it is a bit of comic relief; although it seems that nobody is laughing.
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
December 10, 2008
pbks@hotmail.com
