What a silly waste of time. Thanks to all of you for the information.
Susan [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > It's not a law -- it's a House resolution, which was passed 372-9 and which > reads as follows: > > Whereas Christmas, a holiday of great significance to Americans and many > other cultures and nationalities, is celebrated annually by Christians > throughout the United States and the world; > > Whereas there are approximately 225,000,000 Christians in the United States, > making Christianity the religion of over three-fourths of the American > population; > > Whereas there are approximately 2,000,000,000 Christians throughout the > world, making Christianity the largest religion in the world and the religion > of about one-third of the world population; > > Whereas Christians and Christianity have contributed greatly to the > development of western civilization; > > Whereas the United States, being founded as a constitutional republic in the > traditions of western civilization, finds much in its history that points > observers back to its Judeo-Christian roots; > > Whereas on December 25 of each calendar year, American Christians observe > Christmas, the holiday celebrating the birth of their savior, Jesus Christ; > > Whereas for Christians, Christmas is celebrated as a recognition of God's > redemption, mercy, and Grace; and > > Whereas many Christians and non-Christians throughout the United States and > the rest of the world, celebrate Christmas as a time to serve others: Now, > therefore, be it > > Resolved, That the House of Representatives-- > > (1) recognizes the Christian faith as one of the great religions > of the world; > > (2) expresses continued support for Christians in the United > States and worldwide; > > (3) acknowledges the international religious and historical > importance of Christmas and the Christian faith; > > (4) acknowledges and supports the role played by Christians and > Christianity in the founding of the United States and in the formation of the > western civilization; > > (5) rejects bigotry and persecution directed against Christians, > both in the United States and worldwide; and > > (6) expresses its deepest respect to American Christians and > Christians throughout the world. > > Attest: > > Clerk. > > The most interesting thing about it is that it originally included one > further "whereas" clause, later removed for obvious reasons: > > "Whereas Christians identify themselves as those who believe in the salvation > from sin offered to them through the sacrifice of their savior, Jesus Christ, > the Son of God, and who, out of gratitude for the gift of salvation, commit > themselves to living their lives in accordance with the teachings of the Holy > Bible." > > > -------------- Original message ---------------------- > From: Susan Freiman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >> 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. >> __._,_.___ >> > > > > _______________________________________________ To post, send message to Religionlaw@lists.ucla.edu To subscribe, unsubscribe, change options, or get password, see http://lists.ucla.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/religionlaw Please note that messages sent to this large list cannot be viewed as private. Anyone can subscribe to the list and read messages that are posted; people can read the Web archives; and list members can (rightly or wrongly) forward the messages to others.
