This just came to me from an atheists' list. Is it true?
Susan
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
*PRESS RELEASE*
*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
*The Council for Secular Humanism Chides Congress for Disrespecting
Religions
*
(December 14, 2007) -- Experts from the Council for Secular Humanism
noted with alarm the passage of H. Res. 847 in the House of
Representatives. This unnecessary, unwarranted, and bigoted law, under
the misleading title "Recognizing the Importance of Christm as and the
Christian Faith" passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support
It effectively undermines the sort of religious tolerance necessary in
these changing times.
Just days ago in the midst of the Jewish Festival of Lights, four Jewish
men in New York City were attacked on the subway for replying to a
group of ten people who wished them a "Merry Christmas" with a similar
greeting: "Happy Hanukkah. For this, these men were first insulted,
then beaten. It was a Muslim man who came to their physical defense.
The actions of the Congress, by passing the resolution and thus
expressing preference to the Christian faith over all the others
represented by the diverse population of these United States ,
encourages this sort of behavior.
The First Amendment's guarantee of religious liberty, and of the
nonestablishment of religion, was devised to create a secular state in
which all religions would be equally tolerated and none given
preference. The language of the House resolution effectively undermines
the design of the Founders, and creates an atmosphere where
non-Christians will continue to be targeted, treated like second-class
citizens, and even become victims of violence like those four Jewish
subway riders in New York .
Paul Kurtz , CSH chair, stated, "It is deplorable that in this day and
age and in light of violence against religious minorities here in the
United States that the Congress would stoke those flames with
preferential language in support of a single religion." David Koepsell
, CSH's executive director, noted, "Te First Amendment Guarantee was
designed to prevent the sort of religious intolerance that resulted in
violence in Europe, and our Congress should respect the intent of the
Founders."
We call on the Congress to reject this resolution, to stand up for
religious freedom, secularism, and pluralism, and to foster a climate in
which all believers and nonbelievers alike are treated equally.
__._,_.___
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