On 12-6, Congress voted to support Christianity. Should they pass similar bills next Ramadan & Yom Kippur?

Question

THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION (plus supporting statements) PASSED ON 12-6-2007 as H. Res. 847: Recognizing the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith:

Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

(1) recognizes the Christian faith as one of the great religions of the world;

(2) expresses continued support for Christians in the United States and worldwide;

(3) acknowledges the international religious and historical importance of Christmas and the Christian faith;

(4) acknowledges and supports the role played by Christians and Christianity in the founding of the United States and in the formation of the western civilization;

(5) rejects bigotry and persecution directed against Christians, both in the United States and worldwide; and

(6) expresses its deepest respect to American Christians and Christians throughout the world.

Full text available at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=hr110-847

FEEL FREE TO COMMENT ON ANY ASPECT OF THE BILL.

CORRECTION: The resolutions above are correct, but the amended supporting statements can be found on the following website:

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c110:2:./temp/~c110V9kJMH::

(The first link gave the text of the bill as introduced, but this one gives the text of the bill as it passed to House.)

FURTHER CORRECTION:

Apparently they DID pass a similar resolution for Ramadan:

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c110:2:./temp/~c110AK0DaR::

Answer 1

Now they have to do that for ALL religions. Or else they're discriminating. (But I guess we all knew they were lousy, prejudiced rat-bastards, or else they wouldn't be in politics.)

Answer 2

I disagree that H. Res. 847 constitutes establishment of religion, which is a legal term of art and does actually mean something, but I will agree that it's hypocritical. It's also a good excuse for people who want to "seem" concerned about religious values to do nothing to make those values effective. If the representatives who voted for this resolution were so concerned about the values exemplified by Christianity (and the other great religious traditions), where were they when it came to passing measures that would actually care for people and make their lives better, like expanding children's health care or making prescription drugs more available to people on fixed incomes (without being so worried about drug company profits). It's easy to talk the talk--it's more important to walk the walk.

To quote some who knew a little something about Christian values: "By their fruits, ye shall know them."

Grace be unto you and peace.

Answer 3

(1) Is it a lie that Christianity with 2 billion followers is not one of the great religions of the world.

(2) Christianity and Catholicism in particular is the one religion whose moral teachings and practices are mocked unceesingly in the U.S. Islam is only a target when something blows up.

(3) Sorry friend but Christianity is pretty danm important to many nations inhabitants.

(4) Are you really disagreeing with the statement that Christianity was not involved in the founding of the U.S.

(5) Again very few other religions are ocked in the U.S. unceesingly. Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism all can ask for a similar resolution to be passed when they feel persecuted in the U.S.

(6) I do have a problem here, all religions should be respected throughout the wold; however, one should ask why in the U.S. this even has to be stated.

Answer 4

As the United States is founded on Christianity, I do not believe a bill is needed to recognize Ramadan and Yom Kippur, or the numerous other religions that have their right to believe and practice their beliefs.

Answer 5

The more I learn about Yom Kippur, the better I like it. I really wish Christians would observe it or at least incorporate parts of it into their worship and practice.

Answer 6

I want to see the challenge to it on the federal court's calendar as soon as possible.

Granted, it has no actual force of law, so there's no way to get a test case on it, but that is plain outrageous! It is so directly counter to the First Amendment that I'm shocked it passed!

What has Ron Paul said about it? Or how about Americans United for Separation of Church & State? Maybe it's too soon, but I want to hear an OUTCRY!!!

Answer 7

Holy crap... please tell me they didn't just give the fundies permission to hammer the free thinkers harder... I still have the welts from my last bible thumping :(

EDIT: @ scholar- Since when was Locke a Christian? Jefferson? Most other founding fathers? Granted, you might make a case for Deism... drastically different from the Christianity followed today...
And we're growing in numbers in the Discordian church and the church of the FSM... when do we get to be called great?

Answer 8

This of course being necessary under Article 3, Section 4 of the US Constitution, whereby Congress is required to pass yearly resolutions reasserting cultural traditions, lest they fall by the wayside without congressional support.

Did I say "under Article 3, Section 4"? I meant, "nowhere in".

Answer 9

I guess nobody told them Christmas is a pagan holiday in a bad disguise.

Sure, let them vote on Yom Kippur! Either way, I'll always celebrate it.

Answer 10

Now we just need that for ALL religions of the world. AND Atheists. Then maybe we could learn to live together?

Answer 11

Count on Big Government for stupidity like this...