The usual suspects, the ACLU, have launched an attack on Florida's Gov. Crist for placing a Jewish Mezuzah outside his office doorway. Crist hung the Mezuzah, made of Jerusalem stone, outside his office after receiving it as a gift from state Rep. Adam Hasner, a Jewish Republican from Delray Beach who accompanied the governor on a recent trade mission to Israel.
"The problem is that if he says yes to this religious symbol, he's not going to be able to say no to any other religious symbol," said Howard Simon, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida.
Well duh??? Why wouldn't any other elected politician not be able to put a religious symbol on their door? Isn't that what freedom of expression is all about?
The ACLU points to the fact that the U.S. Supreme Court issued a series of recent rulings prohibiting courts from displaying the Ten Commandments and restricting governmental displays of religious symbols. But these symbols were restricted from the building halls not personal office doors.
My question is why does the leadership of the ACLU, on a national level, have such a big problem with religion? Why do they spend so much time and money on making cities remove the cross from the skyline of their city just because a church is part of the actual skyline? Who's civil rights are violated because of a cross in the picture of a skyline? Who's civil rights are violated because a governor hangs a beautiful Jewish gift on his door?
Is this civil justice or just plain angry intolerance?
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Comments: 54
Michelle I agree. Religion has inspired some of the most beautiful architecture worldwide. It is all a testament to human spirit and faith.
Vickey They always find a way to create a controversy and I think it is more for attention. They don't care about rights as much as they care about ideology.
Joe that is the U.S. constitution. How is hanging a religious symbol equal to making a law? Why is The Governor of Florida prohibited from expressing his religion?
Joe is a good guy and I hate to say this but this is the liberal intolerance that has infected this country with meaningless debate that distracts people from serious issues like the war on terrorism.
Joe if a lawmaker puts his religious faith on a door how is that any more dangerous than a lawmaker that is religious but doesn't?
I do have an opinion though. I think the Constitution was/is very hep piece of work and some arduous work went into its construction. What's there, (and isn't) is deliberate. That's why I'm curious as to the exact wording. Might you help us all out?
Thanks, Jeff!
Joe where in the constitution does it say that an elected official can't be religious? How does his openness and honesty about his faith, and pride, endorse a religion? He has not passed any law that endorsed a religion. Look if you hate the freedoms that the framers of our constitution gave us, vote for politicians that will change the constitution. Don't try to twist and spin what our constitution already says...... It makes you look bitter.
The constitution......"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."
Joe you seem to be putting word into their mouths. It is clear that the governor has the right to express his religion. he just can't legally enforce it on anybody.
Joe that's ridiculous. Where in t Constitution is that said?
In my opinions gays should be allowed to put a rainbow on their office door. But if Christians can't put a symbol of their identity on their office door legally I can't see why gays should have the right.
Nothing in the constitution says a Jewish symbol is unethical, let alone hanging it on an office door.
I didn't prove anything except that the constitution restricts lawmakers from making laws enforcing religion on others. It gives everybody free exercise of religion which includes hanging a piece off art that was a gift from a friend that doesn't even share the same faith.
Joe you don't like the way the constitution reads. (""""'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;"""""""") I respect your opinion but if you want it to be illegal for a congressman to hang something of religious inspiration on his office door than you have to vote for people who want to change the constitution.
This nation is under the rule -- or should be -- OF THE PEOPLE.
The "people" should make the decision as to what needs to be done.
Whatever that is -- and I have no horse in this race one way or the other
-- That should be FINAL.
Then the sorry, pathetic things we call our "representatives" need to make it the law of the land.
Those things that call themselves -- or maybe we do -- "Supremes" need to take a coffee break, sit down and SHUT UP! or something from interpreting Constitutional Law, especially since they couldn't even figure out something as simple as "what is pornography", and allow the "people" to handle their
OWN BUSINESS, i.e.,
via the ballot.
All of this
back and forth
back and forth
back and forth . . .
Does a document rule the people
or Do the people determine rule
based upon the foundation/structure of said document.
and before someone starts handing me a bunch of patronizing silly, foolishness --
I am NOT asking a question.
The call is to the Electorate -- DO SOMETHING! The power is ultimately yours, whether you realize it, or not.
taking some with me by-the-way
Tired of politics as usual.
Will continue to listen with an open mind to this discussion, though.
It is true that Jesus never tried to shove anything down anyone's throat like some so-called free-thinkers are trying to do today.
Statement directed at both sides of the aisle, by the way.
I hope that is not what you're advocating. It doesn't sound like it, but I just want to be sure.