It is obviously apparent that the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is continuing its onslaught against religious freedom in the United States. Moreover, this organization seems to be obsessed with the stifling of religious expression in the public square with its primary target being the Christian religion. The First Amendment of our constitution guarantees that no single or national religion shall be forced upon the people of the United States. Even our Tribune-Star emphasizes this very principle by overtly stating this amendment at the top of its “Opinion” page in every edition. The aforementioned amendment stresses the importance of “not making any law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof …” (Dec. 15, 1791)
Although the Ten Commandments are currently displayed in the U.S. Supreme Court, in 2003 a federal judge ruled that these very same displays must be removed from the Alabama state judiciary, and in 2005 a similar monument in Kentucky was ordered to be removed in that it violated the Equal Protection clause. In yet another instance, the federal court in Texas determined that such a display could remain, as the memorial had a historical and secular value in addition to a religious character. Public buildings, parks and lands are the property of the American people and these continual challenges are a definite infringement to freedom of religion and expression.
After a 60-year tradition of displaying a Nativity Scene at Palisades Park in Santa Monica, Calif., a U.S. District Judge rejected a motion from the Santa Monica Nativity Scenes Committee to allow the religious display this season, while their lawsuit “plays out” against the city. The trouble in Santa Monica began in 2009 when atheist Damon Vix applied for and was granted a booth in Palisades Park alongside the story of Jesus Christ’s birth. In 2011, Vix recruited 10 others to inundate the city with applications for tongue-in-cheek displays such as homage to the “Pastafarian religion,” which included an artistic representation of the great “Flying Spaghetti Monster.” These maneuvers are a blatant mockery of the Christian religion and Judaism, as well. The last time I checked there was no protection of “Pastafarians” or “Flying Spaghetti Monsters” mentioned in our Constitution.
In 1934, a group of World War I veterans sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) erected a wooden cross in the Mojave Desert honoring Americans who gave their lives for our nation in World War I. This cross is located in the desert along with cactus plants, Gila monsters, and a variety of rattlesnakes — none of which have filed lawsuits against the VFW sponsors of this memorial. Of course the ACLU claimed that “they {ACLU} were offended” by this memorial and filed suit in federal court to get the cross removed. Well, the lower court immediately ordered that the cross be covered with a plywood box until a final decision to remove it or allow it to remain was determined. Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court overruled the lower court and decreed that the memorial cross in honor of our World War I veterans should remain at its current Sunset Rock location.
The continuing stream of lawsuits against religion, particularly the Christian religion, is a dangerous road to travel. These inane attempts to eliminate religion from the public square are only creating growing animosity toward our local, state, federal governments and our courts. In my view, a far better course of travel would include and celebrate all of our people; people of all faith to include our secular populations of agnostics, and atheists also. Our lawmakers should strive to accommodate each of these groups, instead of singling out one or two by prohibiting them from expressing their religious or non-religious beliefs; these acts are in direct violation of the First Amendment. Very simply, our laws should include all Americans by establishing display standards for their beliefs. If we are ever to be a fully tolerant nation, we should allow all religious and atheist symbols, e.g. Christian Cross, Star of David or Menorahs, the Star and Crescent, and Buddha, etc. to be displayed in our public squares. Of course to be fair and equitable, we should ensure that these displays meet certain standards of height, weight, depth and be privately funded by those specific groups. No taxpayer funds should be required to support these displays in our public buildings and or grounds. If we are serious about celebrating diversity, then we must allow participation by all who have an interest in publicly demonstrating their faith and pride in their personal value systems. True tolerance remains a two-way street.
Flashpoint
FLASHPOINT: Incessant attacks on Christianity by the ACLU
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FLASHPOINT: A legislative session of missed opportunities
Given the nature of politicians, grand claims of accomplishments and overblown rhetoric about “historic” efforts are to be expected at the close of any legislative session.
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FLASHPOINT: Again in 2013 General Assembly, middle class generally ignored
Last year, the people of Indiana entrusted the Republican Party with some of their most precious possessions.
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FLASHPOINT: Indiana lawmakers reinforced school safety mechanisms
Nothing is more important to me than the safety of my children. Every parent has felt that instant, apprehensive rush when their child plays too close to the street or falls down while playing soccer and it is our responsibility as parents to implement every safety mechanism we can muster to protect our kids.
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FLASHPOINT: Lessons from the legacy media — get it right, first
Enough mistakes and maybe we’ll learn: When in doubt, leave it out.
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FLASHPOINT: Hoosiers got steady hand in recent session
As the General Assembly began its work last November, as Speaker of the House, I pledged a renewed spirit of bipartisanship with legislators working together to solve our state’s most pressing challenges. As this year’s legislative session concludes, representatives from throughout the state — Republican and Democrat — have joined together to address those issues at the forefront of Hoosier minds: maintaining our state’s fiscal integrity, spurring job creation and expanding education opportunities for every Hoosier family.
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FLASHPOINT: Time has arrived for overhaul of TV news
Former FCC Chairman Alfred Sikes gave an address in 1992 in which he claimed television news was too superficial and too focused on visuals.
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FLASHPOINT: Fiscal cliff, Obamacare have already raised taxes enough
Our history is rich with stories of people who have immigrated to the United States for a chance at the American Dream. The American Dream, in its truest form, is the opportunity to achieve success by working hard and playing by the rules; to make it on your own and to say, “I earned this.”
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FLASHPOINT: Expanding Medicaid coverage makes sense for Indiana
Since last summer’s U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on the Affordable Care Act effectively gave states the option to expand Medicaid, policymakers across the country have debated if and how to extend health programs to millions of uninsured Americans.
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FLASHPOINT: Improve public education, stop experimenting with it
In January, the four of us who serve as the Democrats on the House Education Committee outlined our hopes for the 2013 session of the Indiana General Assembly, particularly in joining with Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz to offer common sense solutions to improve the quality of education for our children. With the halfway point of this session past us, we remain optimistic that positive steps can be taken … but that optimism is tempered by the reality that education policies are being directed by a legislative majority that has a radically different agenda.
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Healthcare law anniversary no reason for celebration
March 23 marked three years since the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed into law, yet this is not an anniversary that deserves celebration.
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FLASHPOINT: Defending state’s authority is attorney general’s obligation
The law of the land recognizes the authority of states to license marriage.
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FLASHPOINT: Stability key for state’s future
Hoosiers have the unique luxury of being the fiscal envy of the nation due to the sound fiscal policies of the last eight years.
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FLASHPOINT: House budget offers Medicaid solution for Indiana
This week, my U.S. House Budget Committee colleagues and I introduced a federal budget resolution for fiscal year 2014. Our budget is a responsible plan that stops spending money and balances in 10 years — largely through making key reforms to drivers of our debt like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.
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FLASHPOINT: Problem gambling in Indiana: A new understanding of community concern
The week of March 3 was designated as National Problem Gambling Awareness Week.
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FLASHPOINT: Eastern time in Indiana defies common sense
Nobody complains more than Hoosiers about changing their clocks. And there’s a valid reason — daylight-savings time in Indiana’s Eastern Time Zone is painful.
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Praying for civil resolution to debate over gun control
Guns are lively ammunition for passionate debate these days.
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FLASHPOINT: It’s not too late to expand health services
This week, state leaders euthanized the biggest, boldest Hoosier jobs proposal of the 2013 session of the Indiana General Assembly.
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FLASHPOINT: You can’t go back again — and that’s OK
Our progressive colleagues have been telling us for years that the 1950s were a horrid time.
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FLASHPOINT: The fierce urgency of now — nation needs to protect youth
The alcohol-fueled alleged serial rape of a 16-year-old Ohio girl by two of her similarly impaired classmates — not to mention the drunken videotaped commentary of others — points yet again to the imperative that adult America renews its commitment to address as a true national community those issues that most threaten the health, safety and forward development of youth.
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FLASHPOINT: A pastor speaks out against Sullivan’s ‘traditional prom’
I am a pastor in Sullivan, Ind., and I am outraged.
Recently, two young students applied to walk the Grand March together in the school prom in Sullivan. -
FLASHPOINT: 0wning firearms is a First Amendment exercise, too
Following the hysteria generated by gun prohibitionists in the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy, a nationwide rush on gun stores began as citizens bought semiautomatic modern sporting rifles, handguns and ammunition, in effect “making a political statement” about proposals to ban such firearms.
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FLASHPOINT: Maintaining the priority
Recently a newspaper article has been written about a change in the by-laws of the Indiana High School Athletic Association which speaks directly to attempted undue influence exerted upon students below the level of grade nine and their parents.
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FLASHPOINT: The fairness of marriage
What is the current Indiana law concerning marriage? Our state defines marriage in a singular way — between a man and a woman.
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FLASHPOINT: We ask state legislators to abide by their oath of office
All of us relish giving unsolicited advice to our elected representatives.
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FLASHPOINT: Mentoring is having major impact on public education
While managing local utility services, Mike Martin found a new way to energize his community, and students are starting to benefit.
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FLASHPOINT: Common Core standards should be common sense
Years ago, when state officials and education experts came together to create new model standards for schools, they probably never expected it to be controversial.
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FLASHPOINT: Milestone year for Rose-Hulman
The Rose-Hulman campus traditionally quiets down this time of year, yet for me I sense a renewed energy from the phenomenal year just closing.
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FLASHPOINT: ISU’s reasoning flawed in flight school planning
ISU and the taxpayers of Indiana and Vigo County are being led down a path of deception once again.
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FLASHPOINT: Incessant attacks on Christianity by the ACLU
It is obviously apparent that the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is continuing its onslaught against religious freedom in the United States.
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FLASHPOINT: Americans deserve more value for their tax dollars
While traveling the 8th District and listening to fellow Hoosiers during my first term in Congress, I have reached the conclusion that many constituents do not believe they are getting value for the tax dollars that come out of their paychecks and are sent to Washington, D.C.
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FLASHPOINT: A legislative session of missed opportunities
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