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CONCURRENT HOUSE RESOLUTION 13 SEEKS TO MAKE CHRISTIANITY THE "OFFICIAL" RELIGION IN MISSOURI March 10, 2005 Susan Bates

There is a resolution pending in the Missouri House of Representatives which, if passed, will make Christianity the "official" religion in Missouri. Not only does it set a dangerous precedent as it circumvents the First Amendment which guarantees everyone Freedom of Religion, but it offers no protection for minority beliefs. The Christian Government of the United States of America forbid Native People to worship Creator in their own way until 1976. Before that time, we could not gather to hold our Sacred Ceremonies at the Fire because it was illegal. There were no Sun Dances or Sweats and those of us who participated in these ceremonies ran the risk of being put in prison. I sure hate to think that we are going to sit back and let this kind of narrow minded thinking risk the religious freedom we fought so hard to earn. And lest you think that because you're a Christian this bill is good for you, stop and consider the various denominations of Christian Churches in the world. Will yours meet the criteria of being a good Christian religion? Do Catholics qualify? How about Jehovah Witnesses or Christian Scientists? Are Baptists the chosen ones, or Methodists? And what about Pentecostals and Independents? This is a very dangerous bill dressed up to sound very moral and Godly. I urge you to contact your representatives and governor and tell them this resolution is not a good idea........ <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> House Concurrent Resolution No. 13 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY 4572L.02I Whereas, our forefathers of this great nation of the United States recognized a Christian God and used the principles afforded to us by Him as the founding principles of our nation; and Whereas, as citizens of this great nation, we the majority also wish to exercise our constitutional right to acknowledge our Creator and give thanks for the many gifts provided by Him; and Whereas, as elected officials we should protect the majority's right to express their religious beliefs while showing respect for those who object; and Whereas, we wish to continue the wisdom imparted in the Constitution of the United States of America by the founding fathers; and Whereas, we as elected officials recognize that a Greater Power exists above and beyond the institutions of mankind: Now, therefore, be it resolved by the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-third General Assembly, Second Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, that we stand with the majority of our constituents and exercise the common sense that voluntary prayer in public schools and religious displays on public property are not a coalition of church and state, but rather the justified recognition of the positive role that Christianity has played in this great nation of ours, the United States of America. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> FIRST THEY CAME FOR THE JEWS First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me. -----------Pastor Martin Niemöller <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

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