Thanks to vjack at Atheist Revolution for bringing this to our attention. Church's $2.5 million Christian Statue of Liberty (how screwed up is this? Fundies protest about the burning of our flag, yet millions of dollars to desecrate the symbol of freedom, liberty and justice for ALL. Typically hypocritical!) Atheists and liberal xians who are in support of separation of church and state are going to have to get more aggressive if we want to keep the freedoms that our founding fathers established and what so many people have died to uphold.
Over at GifS, Sean posted another story about Patrick Henry College which is an institution (I refuse to call it a college) that is pumping out "politically active" xian robots who are encouraged to take their education (brainwashing) into our government at both the state and federal levels. Apparently they go there to get their brains sucked out and turned into zombies who are programmed with a mission to tear apart the U.S. Constitution and bring church and state together.
Back to this story: Instead of "building idols" which their bible condemns (and most xians conveniently ignore), this money could have gone to much better use. I have read several comments from "compassionate conservatives" who say that government should leave social problems and needs of the poor to the churches, and then we read about these things happening.
We who support separation of church and state are going to HAVE to become more proactive.
A Memphis church that claims a membership of 12,000 will unveil a 72-foot-tall statue during Fourth of July services.
The Statue of Liberation looks a lot like the Statue of Liberty, but the famous torch is replaced by a cross. Instead of the inscription about giving the lady the tired and poor, there are Roman numerals for the Ten Commandments.
.....
Across the street from the church is a convenience store where Mary Preyer is a manager. She's eager to see the statue unveiled, but says its funding could have been put to better use for the neighborhood.
7 comments:
You can't blame this one on conservatives, these guys that built the statue were African-American Pentacostals and likely (if they are like other African-American Pentacostals in Memphis) are Democrats. Trust me, Evangelicals are just as irritated as this as you are. There are actually very few Evangelicals who care anything about a theocracy. It's just the crazies like Pat Robertson that make news.
d.r. - I would like to point out that there are conservative Democrats who would also love to incorporate religion and government. Check out the link for Patrick Henry College in my post, for instance. The statue in the story is a clear visual representation of church combining with government (cross replacing lighted torch in one hand of lady Liberty and the tablet with the inscription JULY IV MDCCLXXVI—July 4, 1776, the date of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, replaced with the ten commandments in her right. Whether these people are black, white or purple, that is a pretty huge visual statement of promoting church and state.
Amen brother! I am in full support of seperation of church & state. (somewhere in my archives i have a post about just that)It is a big deal to me!
I am not atheist myself but an agnostic humanist. (just to clarify that)
Keep posting about It! that's one thing we can do.
I don't doubt that this is legitimately a statement by the church regarding Church-State relations, though I think some of it hinges on their theological position, which is Liberation Theology (note the statue is called the "Statue of Liberation in Christ"), but your statement, "I have read several comments from 'christian conservatives' who say that government should leave social programs and needs of the poor to the churches and then we read about these things happening" seemed to indicate that you believed political conservatives were behind this (which they aren't, it just appears these people have ideas that have been attributed to political conservatives and Evangelical Christians -- though that stereotype doesn't hold up much past some big names like Pat Robertson). Also, I don't think Patrick Henry College has anything to do with "conservative Democrats". Check out this link: The Liberal Arts Education of Patrick Henry College.
My main point was that I think it is easy to for some to associate this with Christian conservatives or Republicans, but that just doesn't seem to be the case. And simply because they fit into a mold that some have fit these groups into, doesn't mean they should be associated with Evangelicals or Republicans. A quick blogsearch will show that most Evangelicals seem to be just as irritated by this (as many have noted that it might violate the 2nd commandment or at least encroach upon idolatry). But thanks for the response.
A quick blogsearch will show that most Evangelicals seem to be just as irritated by this (as many have noted that it might violate the 2nd commandment or at least encroach upon idolatry). But thanks for the response.
Good points, and I appreciate your comments. It's good to know that there are christians who do believe in upholding the separation of church and state.
Check out the link for Patrick Henry College in my post, for instance.
D.R -- My mistake about Patrick Henry College. I had a brain fart and didn't proof and now see that I ran two sentences into one and should have been:
"I would like to point out that there are conservative Democrats who would also love to incorporate religion and government.
There are many christians in this country who are working hard to incorporate religion into government. Check out the link for Patrick Henry College in my post, for instance."
I shouldn't blog so late at night. ;)
Thanks for the honest interaction and the willingness to at least consider my viewpoints. That is a breath of fresh air for me. I will definitely check your blog more since you seem to be thoughtful and open minded.
Post a Comment