Pirate's Cove

Very interesting, and hypocritical, story out of Tennessee

The Tennessee ACLU is using a menorah display at the state Capitol to advocate for a forum for other groups and individuals to express their beliefs and opinions.

Hedy Weinberg, executive director of ACLU-Tennessee, sent a letter to Gov. Phil Bredesen Dec. 12 suggesting the annual menorah display and candle-lighting ceremony would violate the separation of church and state unless it occurred in a public forum where other displays could take place. The menorah has been displayed at the state Capitol since 2003, at the request of the Center for Jewish Awareness.

What we have here is a branch of the ACLU not demanding that it be taken down, as they do with the Ten Commandments and Nativity scenes, but suggesting that it be in a place where other displays could take place. I am actually rather surprised that the ACLU would treat Judaism so nicely. I guess it is really Christ that the ACLU is against.

How many times have we seen stories regarding the Ten Commandments and the Nativity scene that have the ACLU DEMANDING that they be removed? Search the Internet(s), and you will see.

While this is a great idea, and has been working in other areas, such as Polk County, Florida, you have to wonder whether there is an ulterior motive. If Christians use these zones more then other religions, will the ACLU sue? Based on past behavior, yes.

In fact, as I have written before, the ACLU just does not get the First Amendment. From their "Religious Liberty" page

The U.S. Constitution’s framers understood that religious liberty can flourish only if the government leaves religion alone. Americans enjoy a degree of religious freedom unknown in most of the rest of the world, and they take full advantage it: the United States is home to more than 1,500 different religious bodies and 360,000 churches, synagogues and mosques.

The free exercise clause of the First Amendment guarantees the right to practice one’s religion free of government interference. The establishment clause requires the separation of church and state. Combined, they ensure religious liberty. Yet assaults on the freedom to believe continue, both in Washington and in state legislatures around the country.

No, the Framers understood that the Federal government should not endorse one religion over another, creating a national religion, such as the Church of England during that time period. It should not force people to practice religion. Separation of Church and State does not exist in the Constitution. A letter from President Jefferson to a group of Baptists does not constitute the required Constitutional provisions to amend the Constitution.

The only people who have been making assaults on our ability to practice our religion is the ACLU.

The biggest part of the First Amendment that the ACLU does not get is that it only applies to the United States Federal Congress

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Am I a lawyer? No. But, I do not need to be. The Bill of Rights was written so everyone could understand it. And it is quite clear that it is about Congress not being allowed to pass a law that establishes any particular religion, or religions, as the official ones of the US, nor prohibiting practicing ones religion. Doesn’t say word one about State, County, or local governments displaying religious symbols or scenes.

Reading the Constitution was always superfluous to the ACLU.

Today’s blogburst at Stop The ACLU.

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