It’s not to bad. Here in California they actually created a white history month. Also, I still don’t see how a specific day honoring a historical/mythical figure could be unconstitutional.
Saint Zero wrote:
Nonsense. Unincorporated businesses can make just as much money off of Christmas as corporations can. 
I gotta buy flowers for Jesus now?
At least they don’t have a “Take your Savior to work day”
from Snopes:
So, a state governor signs on to an event with national and timely precendent, and all of a sudden he’s some kind of First-Amendment skirting rube. I know some people will latch on to anything to throw at Bush, but this seems a little thin.
Obviously the reason George W. signed on to Jesus day (aside from the fact that he’s his “Favorite Philosopher”*)
is, he’s a politician. And most of the voters in Texas are Christian.
I think that’s the problem, isn’t it? on the one hand, religon is important to most peoples lives, and the govenment has to acknowledge that. And Christianity is the religon that’s important to the majority of Americans. But that is just what makes it so easy for it to become the religon aproved of by the State, certainly by a State run by leaders elected by the majority. Then, the threat of tyranny of the majority is why the first admendment (and the rest of the Bill of Rights) was written.
Religon is gonna happen and i don’t have a particular problem with Christmas (when I am too busy celebrating the Snake of Despair vomiting up the Sun and returning light to the world to notice anything else) or Easter or Jesus day or creches in the town square. But we have to be cautious about this kind of thing.
Or the next thing you know people will be putting up notices in courthouses that say “You shall have no other God but YHWH” and…oh dear.
- Aside: I just saw the “Jesus is my favorite philosopher” interview again on television. What really bothers me is he said “he’s my favorite because he saved me.” Isn’t that sort of like saying “Voltaire is my favorite philosopher because he gave me a ride to the airport”? The question was whose thinking do you admire most. If he had said "he’s my favorite because he said ‘love your neighbor as yourself’ and ‘turn the other cheek’ (or maybe because he said ‘the poor will always be with us’) I almost would have bought it.
Well, I think there is a big difference. If George Bush came out and stated “Voltaire is my favorite philosopher cause of that ride to the airport he gave me last week” I would absolutely definetely vote for him.
So, Divemaster, it’s okay to violate the First Amendment because he didn’t think of it first and was just following others?
Somehow I’m missing the way that “logic” works…
David, I still see nothing violating the amendment. Let’s take a look at the proclimation.
Throughout the world, people of all religions recognize David B as an example of love, compassion, sacrifice and service. Reaching out to the poor, the suffering and the marginalized, he provided moral leadership that continues to inspire countless men, women and children today.
To honor his life and teachings, Atheists of all races and denominations have joined together to designate June 10 as David B Day. As part of this celebration of unity, they are taking part in the 10th annual March for David B in cities throughout the Lone Star State. The march, which began in Austin in 1991, is now held in nearly 180 countries. David B Day challenges people to follow David’s example by performing good works in their communities and neighborhoods. By nursing the sick, feeding the poor or volunteering in homeless shelters, everyone can play a role in making the world a better place.
I urge all Texans to answer the call to serve those in need. By volunteering their time, energy or resources to helping others, adults and youngsters follow David’s message of love and service in thought and deed.
Therefore, I, George W. Bush, Governor of Texas, do hereby proclaim June 10, 2000,
Various separationists (SOCASists ?) sued the City of San Jose a couple of years ago for owning a sculpture of Quetzalcoatl. :rolleyes: Of course, the federal court of appeals threw the case out (1996), but it is just such a stunning example of these dolts.
Yours,
jahn
Being from Texas, and Austin in particular, I have never heard of Jesus Day until now. It seems pretty damn moronic and gives me even less respect for Dubya.
However…
How is this any more a violation of the 1st Amendment than, say, Chistmas, which is a national holiday endorsing a religion?
Or Easter?
Well, first off, I don’t buy the premise that Bush is violating the First Amendment. Therefore, your question to me is a little off track. I never suggested that it is “okay” for Bush to violate the First Amendment.
My point was that several people on this thread were under the mistaken impression that Bush thought this whole thing up; that he was just sitting around one day and had a “Jesus Day” brainstorm. As such, I thought the condemnation had too narrow a focus. It would seem possible to debate the merits of “Jesus Day” without tying it exclusively to Bush. Guess not.
If somehow this proclamation is deemed unconstitutional; well, so be it. Off the books it goes then. If Bush (or anyone else) insists on defying the courts, then maybe people can throw solid bricks. Right now it is just opinions.