Here we go again. Another city is being “politically correct” with yet another assault on Christianity adding further insult to injury for the vast majority of the American population who identify themselves as Christian.
In this instance the city of Davenport, Iowa has removed “Good Friday” from its municipal calendar in favor of “Spring Holiday.” There is one valid argument, that of the observance of Passover which occurs on the same lunar calendar. The solution then would be “Good Friday/Passover.” The city recognizes the holiday in accordance with when the Christian holiday observes its sacred day which is determined by the ancient lunar calendar.
The change was recommended by the Davenport Civil Rights commission suggesting the holiday should be named something more “ecumenical.” The move was made without even informing the town council which supposedly is responsible for approving such measures. The change was presented by Craig Mulin, city administrator, through memos to municipal employees.
The chairman for the city’s Civil Rights Commission, Tim Hart issued a statement which said in part:
"We merely made a recommendation that the name be changed to something other than Good Friday. Our Constitution calls for separation of church and state. Davenport touts itself as a diverse city and given all the different types of religious and ethnic backgrounds we represent, we suggested the change."
Ah, isn’t that the modern day politically correct shallow bureaucratic response?
We’ve been taught since 1960’s that there is this immobile, steadfast wall that separates church and state. Oh really? What does the constitution really say?
“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.”
The framers of the Constitution did not want the United States to establish a national church such as the Church of England or nationally sanctioned recognition of Catholicism as was prevalent in much of Europe. Further, some states were founded by members of certain faiths who sought to create their own faith-based colonies in the New World. The constitution sought to be sure the national government would not mandate any particular religion. In essence when speaking of the “establishment clause” that is what’s at stake. The second aspect is “the free expression thereof” which guarantees all citizens to practice their religion without any legal interference.
When someone can demonstrate how anything any institution of federal, state, or local government has made a law respecting the establishment of religion, bring it on and let’s see what it says! Good Friday on a municipal calendar hardly raises itself to this.
One has to ask those who are so quick to dismiss expressions from public any display of anything remotely Christian, what is it they find so threatening? Could it be some of the basic principles of Christianity demand a higher level of behavior than some are willing to hold themselves responsible for displaying?
Otherwise, it would seem like they could handle what they find objectionable the same way most of us handle such things that aren’t too blatantly stuffed in our faces, IGNORE IT!!! After all, isn’t that what they encourage the majority population to do with all the baseless trash and obscenity that is almost pandemic in the world of entertainment these days?
Thankfully this story has a happy ending, for now, but what will the PC Police fix their eyes on next?
In this instance the city of Davenport, Iowa has removed “Good Friday” from its municipal calendar in favor of “Spring Holiday.” There is one valid argument, that of the observance of Passover which occurs on the same lunar calendar. The solution then would be “Good Friday/Passover.” The city recognizes the holiday in accordance with when the Christian holiday observes its sacred day which is determined by the ancient lunar calendar.
The change was recommended by the Davenport Civil Rights commission suggesting the holiday should be named something more “ecumenical.” The move was made without even informing the town council which supposedly is responsible for approving such measures. The change was presented by Craig Mulin, city administrator, through memos to municipal employees.
The chairman for the city’s Civil Rights Commission, Tim Hart issued a statement which said in part:
"We merely made a recommendation that the name be changed to something other than Good Friday. Our Constitution calls for separation of church and state. Davenport touts itself as a diverse city and given all the different types of religious and ethnic backgrounds we represent, we suggested the change."
Ah, isn’t that the modern day politically correct shallow bureaucratic response?
We’ve been taught since 1960’s that there is this immobile, steadfast wall that separates church and state. Oh really? What does the constitution really say?
“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.”
The framers of the Constitution did not want the United States to establish a national church such as the Church of England or nationally sanctioned recognition of Catholicism as was prevalent in much of Europe. Further, some states were founded by members of certain faiths who sought to create their own faith-based colonies in the New World. The constitution sought to be sure the national government would not mandate any particular religion. In essence when speaking of the “establishment clause” that is what’s at stake. The second aspect is “the free expression thereof” which guarantees all citizens to practice their religion without any legal interference.
When someone can demonstrate how anything any institution of federal, state, or local government has made a law respecting the establishment of religion, bring it on and let’s see what it says! Good Friday on a municipal calendar hardly raises itself to this.
One has to ask those who are so quick to dismiss expressions from public any display of anything remotely Christian, what is it they find so threatening? Could it be some of the basic principles of Christianity demand a higher level of behavior than some are willing to hold themselves responsible for displaying?
Otherwise, it would seem like they could handle what they find objectionable the same way most of us handle such things that aren’t too blatantly stuffed in our faces, IGNORE IT!!! After all, isn’t that what they encourage the majority population to do with all the baseless trash and obscenity that is almost pandemic in the world of entertainment these days?
Thankfully this story has a happy ending, for now, but what will the PC Police fix their eyes on next?
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