Good Ole Days Of America

[Celsus]

To begin, a type of "generic Protestantism" reigned supreme in the late

nineteenth century, often receiving favors and special treatment in the

law. Blasphemy was a criminal offense in most states, and the laws were

occasionally enforced. Religious leaders, working with government

officials, had great sway over the types of public amusements allowed.

Religiously inspired censorship was common. Mandatory Sunday-closing

laws were the norm in most states. Protestant prayer and Bible reading

saturated many public schools. Other religions, especially Roman

Catholicism and Mormonism, were viewed with official distrust and

suspicion.

 

Complete article here

[♦ nivek ♦]

Awesome resource!

 

Thanks Bruce!

 

kL

[Lycorth]

Indeed, if

America ever was "Christian," the late nineteenth century--when courts

boldly declared the country a "Christian nation" and the tenets of

Protestantism received government favor--was the time.

 

The Xian Right™ is correct about one thing - the courts do have too much power. They're just mad that the courts don't favor them this time around

 

Great link, Bruce! Very handy reading

[jrmarlin]

That was a very interesting article but not surprising. It's really something the christianity has been able to strongarm people in the past. It's really ridiculous that states used to act in this manner considering this country was largely founded because the puritans did not want to attend the Church of England. Another thing to mention about the puritans is the fact that they literally slaughtered thousands of Native Americans to move their cause and take their land.

 

Christianity has such a bloody past, one has to wonder how anyone can proclaim they are christians now. If I were them I would keep it very quiet.... I mean silent.

[Karl-777]

Thanks for posting this, Bruce.

 

… Protestant prayer and Bible reading saturated many public schools. Other religions, especially Roman Catholicism and Mormonism, were viewed with official distrust and suspicion….

Well, there it is. It has to be the correct fucking religionist dogma doesn’t it? It’s interesting how many “only true” religious sects have arisen around the “divinely inspired” “inerrant” “word” of biblegod....not to mention all of the sectarian violence engaged in by insane fundies.

 

Other pertinent sites:

 

http://www.religioustolerance.org/

 

http://airamericaradio.com/stateofbelief/

 

http://www.theocracywatch.org/

 

http://www.jihadwatch.org/ where this article from 3/22 is cited from:

 

…..

(CNSNews.com) – What does the Council on American-Islamic Relations have to say about the trial of an Afghan Muslim who may get the death penalty for converting to Christianity? Nothing so far, noted a conservative, pro-family group.

 

"Ibrahim Hooper of the Council on American-Islamic Relations so far has been silent," the Family Research Council said in an email message on Tuesday.

 

"Hooper is usually quick to decry any anti-Muslim slight. By not speaking out against this outrageous action, CAIR is dealing with the issue," said FRC President Tony Perkins.

 

CAIR, in an email message of its own on Tuesday, did not mention the case of Abdul Rahman, who converted to Christianity 16 years ago. The judge hearing Rahman's case was quoted as saying that Rahman could face the death penalty if he refused to return to Islam.

 

Some of CAIR's leaders, along with other Muslims, met on Tuesday with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Karen Hughes and top officials of the National Security Council. But the meetings focused on outreach efforts to the Muslim world and "how to address growing levels of Islamophobia in the West," CAIR said....

 

"The judge in Rahman's case soothingly assures us that all will be forgiven if he renounces his Christianity because 'Islam is a religion of tolerance.' Really?" asked Perkins.

 

Perkins is particularly upset with comments made by White House spokesman Sean McCormack, who said on Tuesday, "Freedom of worship is an important element of any democracy and these are issues as Afghan democracy matures that they are going to have to deal with increasingly." Said Perkins, "Religious freedom is not just 'an important element' of democracy; it is its cornerstone. Religious persecution leads inevitably to political tyranny. Five hundred years of history confirm this."

 

Perkins has said that President Bush should send Vice President Cheney or Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Afghanistan to read the Afghan government the riot act.

 

"Americans will not give their blood and treasure to prop up new Islamic fundamentalist regimes," he said earlier this week.

Oh yes we will, unless there are some drastic changes

 

Of course, there would be no problem with a radlical Xtian fundamentalist regime in the U.S.A., now would there? There is no end to the lunacy of radical fundamentalist; murder in the name of religion, etc., who has no conception of what Universal Spirituality is about.

 

In case there are any fundie fucks lurking out there and reading this, who are under the illusion that a theocracy is going to exist in the United States, you bastards need to read this one more time:

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.

That means that religion has no place in secular law.

 

...and in case any of you fundie assholes want to try it, we'll be locked and loaded…..

 

K