When I began this blog in 2001, I was appalled by President Bush's headlong rush to an illegal war (we were not in fact under attack). As time wore on and Bush began his assault on the Constitution and any people bold enough to criticize, I believed that "the republic is endangered more by actions of our own government than by those of any terrorist." With the election of a high-minded, compassionate, intelligent man like Barack Obama, my fears have ceased.
"Honor them with peace, not war"
United for Peace
Thursday, December 18, 2003
I guess France has suffered more at the hands of the Church than America has, and that accounts for her steadfast dedication to secularism. [See NY TImes story 'Chirac Backs Law...' ]
The funadamentalist Christians in the U.S., mostly southern protestants, talk as if the US was also dedicated to a secular state, but it's not. The Constitution bars state-sponsored religion, but protects individuals' expression of religion. That is why news that the French have barred Moslem girls from wearing their veils seems shockingly restrictive here. Well, again, the fundamentalists may not be bothered by it -- they, after all, desire a Christian state, not merely a religious one. We should send them to Poland.
I read a story back in the 1980s about a French priest and a Polish priest talkingabout their respective congregations. Père Girard was envious of the huge numbers of Poles who attended church, flying in the face of communist rule, while in France where there were no penalties for church attendance, the churches were nearly empty.
'Hardly anyone in France attends church,' he said.
'Ah,' said the Polish priest. 'But they really mean it!'
Copyright © 2001-03 Pam Shorey
(except the specific sources credited in quotes)
Freedom of religion vs. freedom from religion
I guess France has suffered more at the hands of the Church than America has, and that accounts for her steadfast dedication to secularism. [See NY TImes story 'Chirac Backs Law...' ]
The funadamentalist Christians in the U.S., mostly southern protestants, talk as if the US was also dedicated to a secular state, but it's not. The Constitution bars state-sponsored religion, but protects individuals' expression of religion. That is why news that the French have barred Moslem girls from wearing their veils seems shockingly restrictive here. Well, again, the fundamentalists may not be bothered by it -- they, after all, desire a Christian state, not merely a religious one. We should send them to Poland.
I read a story back in the 1980s about a French priest and a Polish priest talkingabout their respective congregations. Père Girard was envious of the huge numbers of Poles who attended church, flying in the face of communist rule, while in France where there were no penalties for church attendance, the churches were nearly empty.
'Hardly anyone in France attends church,' he said.
'Ah,' said the Polish priest. 'But they really mean it!'
Palema
8:12 PM
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Copyright © 2001-03 Pam Shorey
(except the specific sources credited in quotes)
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