Comments on: The Politics of Christmas http://inrepair.net/2007/12/20/the-politics-of-christmas/ I'm not together, but I'm getting there Sat, 22 Nov 2008 22:53:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU hourly 1 By: Brian http://inrepair.net/2007/12/20/the-politics-of-christmas/#comment-28213 Brian Fri, 21 Dec 2007 22:38:15 +0000 http://inrepair.net/2007/12/20/the-politics-of-christmas/#comment-28213 @ Alyson: Actually, public money <em>is</em> being used to fund presidential campaigns... at least for the candidates that choose matching federal funds. @ Liz: The First Amendment to The Constitution - <blockquote>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.</blockquote> You are free to practice whatever religion you wish or none at all. However, the government is not allowed to promote or encourage any particular religion. There is nothing preventing someone from practicing their religion in their home or their meeting place, so it isn't a matter of limiting anyone's freedoms. The only way to preserve religious freedom is to keep it completely separate from government. All we need is a quick look at the Middle East to realize what can happen when religion and government merge. Happy Holidays! ;) @ Alyson: Actually, public money is being used to fund presidential campaigns… at least for the candidates that choose matching federal funds.

@ Liz: The First Amendment to The Constitution -

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.

You are free to practice whatever religion you wish or none at all. However, the government is not allowed to promote or encourage any particular religion.

There is nothing preventing someone from practicing their religion in their home or their meeting place, so it isn’t a matter of limiting anyone’s freedoms.

The only way to preserve religious freedom is to keep it completely separate from government. All we need is a quick look at the Middle East to realize what can happen when religion and government merge.

Happy Holidays! ;)

]]> By: Liz http://inrepair.net/2007/12/20/the-politics-of-christmas/#comment-28209 Liz Fri, 21 Dec 2007 22:15:03 +0000 http://inrepair.net/2007/12/20/the-politics-of-christmas/#comment-28209 Well, I think that it is perdectly fine to display the cross & am glad that the use of my tax money is being vsionally displayed. It is better than in the pockets of the public officials. I understand some of what you are saying but what I don't understand in all the political rights & wrongs of the issue, how come I have to be okay with NOT having words or sayings that display a religious theme? I thought freedom of religion is in the constitution or has that changed already? Merry CHRISTmas!!!!! LOVE You!!! Well, I think that it is perdectly fine to display the cross & am glad that the use of my tax money is being vsionally displayed. It is better than in the pockets of the public officials.

I understand some of what you are saying but what I don’t understand in all the political rights & wrongs of the issue, how come I have to be okay with NOT having words or sayings that display a religious theme? I thought freedom of religion is in the constitution or has that changed already?

Merry CHRISTmas!!!!!
LOVE You!!!

]]> By: fightingwindmills http://inrepair.net/2007/12/20/the-politics-of-christmas/#comment-28195 fightingwindmills Fri, 21 Dec 2007 16:02:06 +0000 http://inrepair.net/2007/12/20/the-politics-of-christmas/#comment-28195 Thank you, Jim! That link was exactly what I needed to help me understand those crosses. I seem to have gotten the colors reversed. The middle one is yellow and the flanking ones are white. Thanks again for helping me out. Thank you, Jim! That link was exactly what I needed to help me understand those crosses. I seem to have gotten the colors reversed. The middle one is yellow and the flanking ones are white. Thanks again for helping me out.

]]> By: jimthomp87 http://inrepair.net/2007/12/20/the-politics-of-christmas/#comment-28194 jimthomp87 Fri, 21 Dec 2007 15:46:30 +0000 http://inrepair.net/2007/12/20/the-politics-of-christmas/#comment-28194 fightingwindmills, I live in Virginia and was curious about those crosses myself. Check this site for the history and story of the man behind the crosses: http://christiancrosses.org/ JimT fightingwindmills,

I live in Virginia and was curious about those crosses myself. Check this site for the history and story of the man behind the crosses: http://christiancrosses.org/

JimT

]]> By: fightingwindmills http://inrepair.net/2007/12/20/the-politics-of-christmas/#comment-28068 fightingwindmills Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:14:06 +0000 http://inrepair.net/2007/12/20/the-politics-of-christmas/#comment-28068 Ron Paul's Christmas video is very well done. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZPCWGtIupE Note the difference between his bookcase vs. Huckabee's "bookcase". Ron Paul has class. John Edwards also did a nice one where he said, "this is the season of miracles, of faith, of love. . ." Avoiding the word "Christmas" altogether showed class, too. I guess I am one of those in the politically correct crowd and I appreciate when I see efforts to be inclusive and appropriate. I have a question that I have not been able to answer through internet "research." Along I81 in Virginia there are crosses in privately owned pastures. I am guessing that someone came up with the idea to minister to interstate drivers and got permission from each of the farmers to put this set of 3 crosses up on their land. The outside crosses are painted yellow and the middle cross is a little taller and painted white. Does anyone know the story of these crosses? Ron Paul’s Christmas video is very well done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZPCWGtIupE

Note the difference between his bookcase vs. Huckabee’s “bookcase”. Ron Paul has class.

John Edwards also did a nice one where he said, “this is the season of miracles, of faith, of love. . .” Avoiding the word “Christmas” altogether showed class, too. I guess I am one of those in the politically correct crowd and I appreciate when I see efforts to be inclusive and appropriate.

I have a question that I have not been able to answer through internet “research.” Along I81 in Virginia there are crosses in privately owned pastures. I am guessing that someone came up with the idea to minister to interstate drivers and got permission from each of the farmers to put this set of 3 crosses up on their land. The outside crosses are painted yellow and the middle cross is a little taller and painted white. Does anyone know the story of these crosses?

]]> By: alyson http://inrepair.net/2007/12/20/the-politics-of-christmas/#comment-28059 alyson Thu, 20 Dec 2007 18:31:56 +0000 http://inrepair.net/2007/12/20/the-politics-of-christmas/#comment-28059 I remember reading in the paper about last summer's Billy Graham crusade that was in the area. The city paid for shuttle busses to transport people to the crusade from the various parking areas. I thought then that if this were in a larger city, I'm sure lots of stink would be raised about using tax dollars to provide transprotation services for a religious crusade. I am thrilled when I see relious items prominetly displayed, but I don't know how I feel about it being done in a governmental setting. I see it both ways. With the crusade issue, I tried to put myself in the shoes of non-believers. How would I feel if, sometime in the future government is forced to provide "equal billing" and my tax dollars are used to transport people to a satanic rally? Not good. As for politics, it doesn't bother me in the least. Public monies are not being used to fund campaigns, so if a person wants to boast his religion in order to get votes, I think they should be able to do so. If you don't agree with their beliefs, you can show your displeasure by not giving them your vote. I remember reading in the paper about last summer’s Billy Graham crusade that was in the area. The city paid for shuttle busses to transport people to the crusade from the various parking areas. I thought then that if this were in a larger city, I’m sure lots of stink would be raised about using tax dollars to provide transprotation services for a religious crusade.

I am thrilled when I see relious items prominetly displayed, but I don’t know how I feel about it being done in a governmental setting. I see it both ways. With the crusade issue, I tried to put myself in the shoes of non-believers. How would I feel if, sometime in the future government is forced to provide “equal billing” and my tax dollars are used to transport people to a satanic rally? Not good.

As for politics, it doesn’t bother me in the least. Public monies are not being used to fund campaigns, so if a person wants to boast his religion in order to get votes, I think they should be able to do so. If you don’t agree with their beliefs, you can show your displeasure by not giving them your vote.

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