The First Amendment Says WHAT??? (05/20/2008)

I think a lot of people share my opinion that politics and our elections are a game. A game that turns uglier, it seems, with every election. Although if you research our political history, it would likely prove me wrong; i.e., it’s always been ugly.

But then, democracy, freedom is messy. Diversity is messy. Too bad the politically correct advocates don’t understand this basic concept:

"If we don’t believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don’t believe in it at all."
---Noam Chomsky

Sure words can hurt. Words can be disrespectful. Life is tough sometimes. And people say ugly things. Toughen up, consider the source, and get on with your life!

Cyberspace is full of information, much of which is DIS. As in DISinformation. If not total fabrication. Cyberspace has become a garbage dump filled with trash and junk. Even though somewhere in there is fact.

How to sift through takes time and effort we probably should be spending playing with our kids or reading a good book or walking in the sunshine or . . .

But it is what it is.

THIS is what I find disturbing.

Regarding the upcoming election, Obama is not my choice; however, when I have gotten ugly e-mails about his background, his religion, I have tried to research the facts to determine what is true. To the extent of my research, which I admit is limited–because sometimes I AM reading a book or walking in the sunshine–I believe he is what he says; a Christian. Albeit a liberal one. But then so am I.

IF he wins this election, which he may, we will have a president with a Muslim name. I hope for America’s sake, that’s all it is. Time will tell.

If time puts him in the presidency, we shall see what develops. Whether Muslim beliefs and practices become a part of our laws.

Before you jump to conclusions about what I’m saying, let me clarify.

I really don’t care if Obama is a Muslim or not. EXCEPT FOR ONE THING.

Conservatives in this country have been yammering about "putting God BACK into schools and government" so long and so hard that we now have laws and rules on the books in various communities across this nation reflecting their concerns.

We have allowed religion to infiltrate government. Some of us have demanded it.

How short-sighted, how contrary to the founding fathers, how frightening this is.

The time is coming–and is now here–when this appalling misunderstanding and misapplication of the intent of our constitution which embraces the freedoms we claim to cherish, is eroding. Inch by inch, day by day.

So I pose this WHAT IF:

WHAT IF Barack Obama is elected president . . .

WHAT IF Barack Obama later reveals he IS a closet Muslim . . .

WHAT IF Barack Obama selects Muslims to posts in his administration . . .

WHAT IF the Ten Commandments are taken down from public buildings (where I think they shouldn’t be in the first place) and replaced with the Muslamic Rule of Ten . . .

WHAT IF the Pledge of Allegiance is changed to say "under Allah" instead of "under God". (Before 1954 it didn’t say either one.)

Any of these things can happen. Now? Maybe not. In the future? Very possibly.

We have the Conservative Christians to thank for this. Conservative Christians or any others who believe in merging government and religion. A tragic and horrible mistake we will one day pay the consequences for.

Maybe sooner than later.

This is NOT what our founding fathers intended.

I do not hate Muslims. I do not hate conservative Christians. I don’t care whether Barack Obama is a Christian OR a Muslim. Or an Atheist.

I DO care whether his religion or anyone else’s religion infiltrates my government’s policies and procedures. Separation of Church and State. Our wise Founding Fathers understood this.

"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."

The First Amendment, folks. It’s not complicated. The first part – "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion" – that’s the part that says we don’t enact laws favoring any particular religion. The second part – "or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . ." that’s the part that says each of us can freely practice our religion.

How simple is that? It’s not rocket science, folks.

And neither is this:

The day is coming when White Christians will be the Minority in this country. I wonder what they’ll think the First Amendment means then?

* * * * *

Since I wrote this, Barack Obama DID, of course, become president. I voted for him, actually. Once I heard him speak I became a supporter. I think he is brilliant, knowlegable in world issues, well-spoken and calm under fire, doing a remarkable job of restoring respect for America among world leaders; all the while having to try and solve the almost unsurmountable problems bequeathed to him by virtue of winning the election.
—dhb, 1/4/201011