Take Our Poll: Year of the Bible
Should Pennsylvania's legislature have named 2012 "the Year of the Bible"?
A few days ago, someone on my Twitter feed noted they were disappointed in state Rep. Bob Freeman for supporting the Pennsylvania House's "Year of the Bible" resolution.
I confess I hadn't heard of this, so I looked it up.
What happened was that Freeman -- and every other member of the house -- voted last month to name 2012 "The Year of the Bible."
According to WGAL out of Harrisburg, the resolution states:
"This nation faces great challenges that will test it as it has never been tested before … and renewing our knowledge of and faith in God through Holy Scripture can strengthen us as a nation and a people..."
As happens anytime God and politics intermingle, this has upset those who want the government away from religion. (There's also the question of whether the legislature should be spending time on stuff like this.)
What do you readers think? Take our poll, and let us know in the comments below.
Darlene Stahl
9:20 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012
Freedom of speech goes all the way; Mr. Freeman should have the same freedom of speech as everyone else. I totally stand by him.
High-On-Lehigh
11:33 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012
I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ. - Mahatma Gandhi
When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross. - Sinclair Lewis
Amend Wun
3:32 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2012
Some could postulate the opposite; that it has been religion, and misguided watered-down Christianity, that has brought us to this place. Jesus would probably disagree with this legislation and simply ask that we learn to accept and care for one another. He'd problaby also question why we invoke God on our money when we vilify the poor.
Carter Lansing
4:28 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2012
Last time I checked, the 1st Amendment prevents the Government from passing laws respecting an establishment of religion. Unless 2013 will be the year of the Bhagavad Gita, 2014 the year of the Tao te Ching, 2015 the year of the Quran, etc. I suggest they rethink the idea. Or, better yet, let's pass some laws that respect Reason and Science instead of bowing to the pointed interpretations of 2000 year old fables!
ellen shaughnessy
11:37 am on Sunday, February 12, 2012
not familiar with the resolution but from the partial quotes above, i guess my question is what happened to separation of church and state?
High-On-Lehigh
3:28 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012
I read somewhere that a survey/questionnaire showed that the average American does not have a good knowledge of the US Constitution, but that the subset of people who have held office at a local or state level scored substantially lower than average. (Passing a test on provisions and protections of the Constitution is not a prerequisite for being sworn in to office at any level of government.)
Amend Wun
10:22 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012
Interesting point, however dubious. It's probably more accurate to assume that many in office simply lead with their heart and not with common sense, tho indeed there are some who sway the mass in an effort to perpetuate their myopic belief system.
High-On-Lehigh
10:24 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
Your moniker,"Amend" - Does that have anything to do with Citizens United?