Tuesday, July 30, 2013



Democracy versus the ACLU

A Tennessee courthouse this week unveiled the first of four “In God We Trust” signs, and one local pastor isn’t worried about what atheists think because Christians “have a right to the democratic process and majority rule.”

Earlier this year, the Anderson County Commission voted to put the county’s motto, “In God We Trust,” on the outside of the county courthouse, even though the move have been criticized by the Tennessee chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

“People of all faiths, as well as non-believers, should feel welcome in their government buildings,” ACLU-Tennessee Executive Director Hedy Weinberg said in a statement at the time. “The County Commission should focus on doing real work that represents the interests of all residents, not sowing the seeds of religious divisiveness in the community by challenging the fundamental founding principle that government must remain neutral when it comes to matters of faith.”

But during a February commissioners meeting, Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank’s husband, Lee Frank, echoed the views of many who dismissed concerns about the signs, saying, “We don’t need to deal with that ACLU crap here.”

And on Tuesday, the first of four signs was unveiled on the exterior of the courthouse. Each granite plaque weighs 170 pounds and has the words “In God We Trust” in gold leaf lettering.

About 175 people were on hand to celebrate the unveiling.

“Whether you agree with this or disagree with this, the democratic process took place,” Clinton Baptist Association Director of Missions Tom Byrge told Oak Ridge Today in a report published on Wednesday. “The majority of the U.S. citizens will continue to believe, and will not be ashamed to say, ‘In God We Trust.’”

Source

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am an atheist and I do not see the big deal?? I still celebrate Christmas and Easter. As long as they do not try to force me into a church, let them post any sign they want. I can choose to ignore it.

Anonymous said...

I am an atheist and I do not see the big deal?? I still celebrate Christmas and Easter. As long as they do not try to force me into a church, let them post any sign they want. I can choose to ignore it.

Anonymous said...

"Them" are supposed to represent all citizens and not only the dominating majority (though was this decision a truly democratic one or just the usual result of manipulation by those who get themselves into local government to promote their personal prejudices and interests?).

Anonymous said...

Is 1:51 AM what is technically called a "weak atheist"? Would he mind if the local government was dominated by muslims so long as he wasn't forced into a mosque or a sharia court? But by then it would be too late, because he could be so forced to observe islamic rules, just as he can now be forced to observe other forms of religiously related practices.

Anonymous said...

that isn't establishing a religion. move on.

Anonymous said...

Anon 2:31, when was the last time someone (forced) you to observe (their) religious rules?

The best way to fight and beat the aclu, and the radical atheists who are trying to replace (all) religious beliefs and replace them with (their) beliefs, is to fight them. And hard! In the end, they eventually cave.

Anonymous said...

2:57 -- you will be the first to ask for the ACLU's help when YOUR civil rights are violated.

Use the Name, Luke said...

3:51, the ACLU is not the only organization which ostensibly defends rights. In fact, the ACLU frequently argues on the side of violating rights. For that reason, they would be the last group I would call.

Anonymous said...

Ah, but Luke they are apparently still on your call list! ;-)
Seriously, I have no problem with the signs but the argument is fallacious.
This is not about democratic process, this is about law. It is either legal to erect the signs, or it is illegal.
Either way it doesn't matter that democratic process has been followed.

Anonymous said...

2:57 : religiously-minded people who get themselves onto local committees etc., whether they are muslim or christian, etc. can affect all kinds of local regulations concerning eg. education, health provision and numerous other local concerns, based on their religious views, so that the whole local population is in effect made to follow the precepts of their respective religions.

Anonymous said...

vote with your feet. (leave if you don't like it)

2:57 said...

Anonymous said...
"2:57 -- you will be the first to ask for the ACLU's help when YOUR civil rights are violated..."

Hardly. I would much rather rely on Sam Colt.

Anonymous said...

@6:26, @1:08(luke) - suit yourself. It just shows what type of people you are.

Anonymous said...

"In God We Trust " is on the currency of the US. Let's see the ACLU get that removed first. If the motto is good enough for the fed govt, it's good enough for local govt.

Use the Name, Luke said...

7:58,

Thank you for the compliment.