What's your opinion on this?

Question

According to U.S. Representative Marilyn Musgrave, our nation’s legislators are now prohibited from using references to God in certificates of authenticity accompanying flags flown over the Capitol and bought by constituents. Such references include: "under God" in the pledge, "God bless you," or "in the year of our Lord, 2007." Never before has this official prohibition been leveled.

Architect of the Capitol Steven Ayers said he has removed the words because reference to God and the Lord may offend some Americans. He now prohibits them from being placed on official documents such as flag certificates.

Musgrave was astonished when she flew a flag over the U.S. Capitol building as a tribute to a senior citizen, and the accompanying certificate she received was edited with all religious references removed.Â

The congresswoman was more astounded when, upon further investigation, she discovered the certificate was censored by order of The Architect of the Capitol, an unelected very low-level official who manages the flag office.

Responding to a request for a flag flown over the United States Capitol in honor of a World War II veteran's 81st birthday, the congresswoman ordered the flag and a certificate to state: "This flag was flown for Mr. John Doe on the occasion of his 81st birthday, the eleventh day of July, in the year of our Lord, 2007. Thank you, Grandpa, for showing me what it is to be a true patriot -- to love God, family, and country. We love you!"

When the flag and certificate came back from the flag office, each reference to the Lord and God were removed. A group of lawmakers confronted architect Stephen Ayers seeking to find where he had the authority to restrict their freedom of speech and religious expression. Ayers refused to give the lawmakers a clear justification of his authority to delete the religious references. For more information: Capitol flag policy assailed (Washington Times).

Answer 1

I think this is what happens when pc meets bureacracy.

The original thinking behind this is sound in that people should not be forced, for instance, to swear by a God they dont believe in. i would guess this is what the policy in question is meant to do since America is not a Christian country even if it has Christians in it (i.e its not illegal to not be a Christian).

However, in this case they have crossed the line into restricting freedom of expression since the family were simply expressing their belief not trying to force it on others.

It wouldnt surprise me if this was simply a case of an over zealous worker in the architects office following the letter of the law a little too closely and not applying common sense rather than it being conspiracy to end Christianity.

The architect would not officially back down though because that would set a precedent which could ultimately challenge his authority over more important cases.

Unfortunately this is the kind of mess that arises when issues become so sensitive (religious issues are very heightened by the war on terror at the moment). People are walking on egg shells so incidents like this will happen all the time as people go ultra PC to avoid offending others.

Think yourself lucky though, at least you can hang the flag. In England we can't even hang george crosses (the flag of england) because it might offend people. St Georges day (which conceivably could be like independence day in america) is practically a day of shame for english people...

Answer 2

If this clown had no authority to do that, then maybe Rep. Musgrave should petition for a Contempt of Congress charge be leveled against him, or demand he be relagated to hand correcting all those certificates !

One more liberal bureaucrat thinks he can do whatever he wants.

It is right to bring this up in this forum...vet's should be SCREAMING about this idiot !

There has to be some kind of written policy about his can/cant do restrictions...it's D.C ! There's regulations in triplicate there for EVERYTHING !

Answer 3

I think the constituents. thy write A Such references include: "under God" in the pledge, "God bless you," or "in the year of our Lord, 2007." Never before has this official prohibition A been leveled.
but they don't mean it they just show they are religious & they afraid from god to delusion thevoters
that is every where in the world ,ithink it is good to be prohibited now ..

Answer 4

Further proof that the Liberal mindset cannot see the glaring affront to those who believe in God exemplified here. It's perfectly fine to edit / delete references to God so as not to offend those who don't believe, while ignoring the blatant discrimination against those who do.

...and no, the whole separation of church and state argument, despite being as worn and tattered as the race card, simply is not applicable at all.

Answer 5

Marilyn Musgrave is a right wing nut. She's making a big deal out of nothing.

Answer 6

And what has your RANT to do with the MILITARY section??

Unless you can prove a serving soldier can not utter the word Lord or GOD in his daily duties.

Apart from reference to a veteran, your post has more to do with political issues, more so than military issues.

Answer 7

Dear friend, You have just asked for my opinion.
I have trust in God or Superior Power making us, running us,guiding us, taking us and still let us act at our will and pleasure.
We say,
"Let my plan be an epitome of the DIVINE PLAN"
"Let virtue be the strength of my Intelligence"
"Let Realization be my Attainment"

So where does all the above should take us into?
Let us exercise patience, adaptability, respect and "Live in Peace", attitude.
After all by deleting the words "GOD BLESS YOU", God will not be deleted. Even with out such words, God will appear to us as backward consciousness.
So my opinion is not to make it an issue and not divert our valuable time and energy in clashes and fights, be they oral or in streets.

Answer 8

These are the same people who will get on TV and say, "We're not trying to stamp out Christianity. There's no campaign against Christianity". We have to change the balance of of our legislators-if they're not fer. us -they're agin' us-and let's not vote for them. Every vote everywhere counts.

Answer 9

Because not everyone believes in God or can be bothered to, religion is not taught in schools so why use God in politics, keep God for Sundays in church.

Answer 10

Greetings. i would assume he simply followed the presidents lead and simply empowered himself to censor the words out because he felt like it. Strange though since the republican party in power now is supposed to be religious based. why would they want to offend their own money backers by censoring out religion? that is about republican stupid as one can get. insult your enemies, not your friends and backers.