NO, that’s just what they SAY it’s about. You were just DUMB enough to buy the lie.

YOU miss the point, Frank. “Separation of church and state” was a phrase coined in Thomas Jefferson’s letter. It was erroneously derived from the First Amendment, which states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” What law has been broken here that respects the establishment of a religion? And aren’t you trying to prohibit the free exercise thereof?

You miss the point. This country was founded on the belief that people were CREATED with inalienable human rights…the same rights that athiests attempt to take away whenever they achieve power (Soviet Union, Nazi Germany, Communist China, the Netherlands, etc). The church/state issue only applies to the establishment of a STATE CHURCH (as occurred in England), not to Christianity as a whole.

What sense does it make to undo something you don’t believe in?

I just love the religious wackos who blesses the road by pouring “OIL” across ALL the lanes of traffic.

Oil on the road intentionally, … yup, … had to be a religious wacko.

The news is getting more ridiculous everyday. Unelected officials took over Washington and the media after the coup and cover up. Even most of the comments online are financed with your tax dollars. Big brother is trying to create the perception of public opinion while burying the truth. They think you can’t handle the truth. Fact of the matter is we have no democracy, president, and freedom of press is an illusion.

Our next election is shaping up to be as big of a sham as the last. Do you know why Sarah Palin’s bus tour was really canceled? Do you know why she stayed 30 miles away from the second debate and chose the death of Steve Jobs to announce that she’s not running? Know what leaked out? Sarah Palin and Cain aren’t in the race for the same reason, the truth leaked out.

Search PalinsDirtyLittleSecret for the biggest cover up in world history before it disappears forever much like me.

Hi Frank,

In my estimation there is more to it that that. The group felt that there were “seeming conflicts of interest between several high-seated county officials and their faiths.”

My point would be that anyone theist or atheist is influenced by their beliefs and those can easily rile people that do not share those beliefs. So I think the original “shall not establish” interpretation was more reasonable and more conducive to freedom that the current “separation” interpretation. I must agree with Dana that
its en vogue to bash Christians but if you mess with anyone else you are racist / intolerant etc….. Not hard to see what some are calling foul.

If I am in an accident on this highway and believed in the blessing, can I sue them for taking away the blessing that could have possibly helped me?

There is no separation of church and state in the Constitution, nor in the Declaration of Independence. The entire concept has no place in the U.S.A. as it was never intended to be a nation where a tiny block of self-marginalized citizens could use legal maneuvers to subvert and silence free speech and the freedom of religion for the majority.

The establishment clause protects religious individuals and non-religious individuals by preventing a “state” run religion from being created, i.e. “established” whereby the powers of the state could force worship and adherence with penalty for refusal, i.e. denies religious freedom equally under the law.

A separation of religion “from” government would result in an irreligious, or anti-religious government/a state where no religious adherent could be a part of their own government as their faith, their values, principles and entire world view would be contrary to a purely “separated” secular government, which is blatantly contrary to the founders intention as “all” were Christians & deists who belonged to Christian congregations, meaning they would be disqualified from office if this erroneous interpretation of separation of church and state were true as no one can separate their religious faith from their actions in life if they truly believe.

I just pray that atheists will one day realize that they only have value because God loves them, and that before they leave this world for good and meet Jesus face to face, they repent and turn away from their sins and turn to Jesus Christ so they can be saved.

And Frank, THERE IS NO SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE.

That is simply communist left wing rhetoric that has been pounded into the American people’s head by the media for so long that it is actually believed to be true.

In the Constitution, to paraphrase, Congress shall not designate any ‘state’ religion, and that is ALL. No one wanted a repeat of the Church of England, where the government TOLD you who you would worship.

The BS “separation of church and state” was started by Madedlyn Murray way back in the ’60′s in a landmark case. That was the crack that the socialist/communist left needed to bring us to the anti-religious hysteria we have today.

@Frank.
Do you realize that there is nothing called ” separation of church and state” anywhere in the Constitution of the USA?
No, this is not about that too. This is about harassing Christians and a small minority trying to force its views. They took the time and spent money doing this, they should be ashamed of themselves. The should have invested that money in helping the homeless, the terminally ill, or providing care for orphans.

This is America, the freedom of religion is guaranteed by the Constitution, free speech too. What these people did was not freedom of speech nor “separation of church and state” it is called intimidation and provoking. Look up the definition.

You would be wise to stop trying to represent the halfway intelligent atheists here, Rick. If you indeed do represent them, then my work is done here.

No Atheists are the people who don’t need help looking stupid in public. They say all religions are false yet they only attack Christians. Hypocrisy at its finest. Why don’t you just crawl back into the basement you came out of for the first time in lord knows how many years.

Atheists attack only christians. What a shallow, insulated life you must live if you believe that.

Same applies to fundamentalist atheist whackos.

Atheists only attack Christians because they are the only religion we’re allowed to attack. If we attack Islam while in America, we do nothing because almost nobody is Muslim in America. In the MIddle East, we can get stoned for blasphemy. If Judaism, we are called Nazis. Nobody wants to attack Buddhism or Hinduism because they’ve done no harm to anybody. And, even better, they’re not ignorant and intolerant of other faith groups. Hippocrates.

So, Rick, can we draw a logical conclusion from your wonderful statement that anyone who is religious is a “whacko”?

Does that ALSO INCLUDE Muslims?

Or, can we just drawn a more logical conclusion that you are an empty, pathetic, hopeless azzklown?

I think I’ll choose Door Number Two…..

No, RealKingMax, that is not a logical conclusion to draw at all. To say that the phrase “religious whackos” implies that all religious people are whackos is like saying the phrase “religious zealot” implies that all religious people are zealots. Clearly drawing logical conclusions is not your forte, though you do score well in drawing construed and fallacious conclusions and then using them as ad hominem insults rather than an actual conclusion. Brownie points for you.

Yeah, your fellow atheists go out of their way spend time and money for this publicity stunt and the religious people are the “whackos don’t need any help to look stupid in public”, you sure have incredible reading comprehension.

@ Thomas,

What world you’re living in, son?
You should get out more, google for some facts while you are at it.

Your grammar is horrendous. Maybe you should pray to His Noodliness to bequeath on you the wisdom of proper english.

So, “Our Noodly Master”, “Rick”, or whatever schizo handle you’ll go by next….

“reads you’re mind while you masturbate”?

Yep – had you pegged correctly in my earlier comment:

“Or, can we just draw a more logical conclusion that you are an empty, pathetic, hopeless azzklown”?

AND a jerkoff.

I think the most humane thing to do with a bloodclot like you is placing a well swung Louisville Slugger across your face.

I’m not going to answer your comment, Jason, because what’s foolish to you makes sense to us.

@ Jason,
Try to understand something before you criticize it, instead of looking uneducated and posting foolish remarks like this.

@ John Smith – What did I say that was foolish? Did you read the article? People LITERALLY poured oil on the road to summon angels to inspect the car. Did you think I was making that up?

Finally, someone with intellect! I was really beginning to lose hope there LOL. Atheists look foolish by mocking Christians – it’s as simple as that. It’s a childish game that amuses nobody but the Atheists. I know you don’t care what religion we follow, however, deep inside you wish we’d give up this concept of an invisible entity that has always been here and created everything. Equally, Christians wish Atheists would just mind their own business and leave well enough alone. Until we can learn to respect each other, nothing is going to change. Whether or not this country is founded on Judeo-Christian values is irrelevant. The point is, do Christians have the freedom to worship, and atheists have freedom to ridicule? If someone can’t put anointing oil on a road, then that is denial of freedom to worship. Christians don’t care if they’re made fun of for doing so.

Christian values were taught as a way of life for most families and government-run schools until things started changing last century. Atheists have made great strides in taking Christianity out as required teaching in public (tax payer funded) schools. However, Christians are also learning things in school that are contrary to Christian belief, and being taught that theories are facts. When you accept a theory on blind faith, that is also a religion, so we are equally guilty of practicing some sort of religion. Therefore, by your logic, this teaching should be removed from schools as well. Either get creation into schools, or take evolution out. That’s the way I see it.

As for united/divided, we were mostly of one accord as a nation, but when Christianity started disappearing as required teaching, that’s when we started becoming divided. So you could say it’s the Atheists that have divided us. Nowadays, all Christian attempts to preserve traditional values in any form of government are met with fierce opposition. Granted, putting In God We Trust was probably not the best move, but really, don’t you think it was a last-ditch effort to preserve in this great nation what once was considered so sacred to most families in the US?

If anything, Atheists should have more respect for Christians for standing up for what they believe in, regardless of outcome, and less involved in trying to make more and more trouble when light is shed on some small details of how Christianity is practiced by government officials (like this story). Doing things like unblessing a road makes Atheists look ridiculous, and do nothing to help their image. it only serves to strengthen the resolve of Christians to unite against the unrelenting attacks by unbelievers.

By the way, if Christians actually just followed Christ, instead of trying to evangelize the planet, no one would have a problem with them.

I suppose you think the spanish Inquisition “followed Christ,” too.

There are tons of “isms” I don’t believe in. The people who do (believe in them) are welcome to their beliefs. Atheists, though, don’t seem to feel the same way. They want to ridicule and coerce Christians at every opportunity. Their ittle incustions into ridicule are everywhere (including the little fish with feet) Maybe they should show some guts and try the same thing with Muslims. Bet they haven’t got the cahones for it.

stopthe said: “I suppose you think the spanish Inquisition “followed Christ,” too.”

The Inquisition was basically a monarch trying to cement his control during a time of uncertainty. Parts of the Church, including Rome, opposed the Spanish Inquisition.

And don’t accuse me of being a religious lackey, I’m an atheist – who realizes that most of the evils in this world have been done in search of power and control over resources and that religion was rarely the main cause of conflicts.

First they came for the DJ’s and I said nothing because I was not a DJ. Seriously I’m sure jesus was a nice guy and all but he’d probably be ashamed of most “christian” people in the US. I’m with Ghandi I like your christ but not so much your christians.

Christians unlike you know they are imperfect so strive to better themselves through using Christ as their storyboard. These are people who take actions to better themselves only to be Mocker by you and others on this thread.

Atheism IS a religion, as those who proclaim in make a statement first and foremost about GOD (that he does not exist), then they set out to belittle and even convert everyone who doesn’t hold to their beliefs through secular humanist indoctrination.

atheists put their “Faith” in humanity. It may not be be faith in a deity, but it’s “faith-based” all the same.

Wrong. All that is required to be an atheist is to reject YOUR claims about God. Nothing more.

Rejecting a claim for which there is no proof does not require faith.

And hopefully, Christians also have faith in humanity? If they don’t, that is reason enough to ban them from politics and everything else in the public sphere.

REligion is NOT spirituality, religion is something that is practiced on a daily or regular basis. (I religiously brush my teeth twice a day.) Atheists are some of the most militarily fanatical religious and intolerant people in the world, other than muslims, of whom they obviously agree with or they would be making fun of them too. I am SOOOOO tired of these religious fanatics shoving their humanist religion down our throats! This country was founded on Judeo/Christian values. If you humanists don’t like it you should move to Europe or Russia or Afghanastan or someplace less Christian and more suited for you.

You say Atheists are intolerant but then say they should move to another country? Isn’t that kinda….intolerant?

atheism is a religion. What is religion? to have faith in or faith in nothing still faith. Term is religion. Athiests believe, they are just trying to attack Christians and other faiths so they dont have to feel guilty about an immoral life.

Michael;

Stailin, Pol Pot and Mao (all atheists) collectively racked up more dead bodies than the religious philosophies combined. They set the bar pretty high for fanaticism.

Winthrop 24. Atheism was not the defining characteristic of those mass murderers.

Atheists like this unblessing bunch never are willing to ackgnowledge the natural fascistic tendancies in their actions as if they are different than all the others. Thus Lenin did not consider the bloodshed by Voltaire’s people in France, Hitler did not consider what Russian Communists did, and Pol Pot did not consider what his philisophical ancestors did. Dawkin and Dennett’s new atheists look to be attempting to take over where the others left off. It is possible that the new atheistic American fascists can be neutralized before they can get a genocide going in America. If those of good will can id this danger and our many resources be deployed in unison, this wave of atheist agitators can be crushed before millions suffer early death at their hands.

You hardly hear of atheists because they are the minority, not because they are nice and articulate/sane people.
In fact look at your post, immediately attacking someone calling him stupid just because you disagree with him, who is the fanatic now?

And no, atheism is not a “philosophy”, you atheist don’t even know what you are fighting for. Go read about it, atheism is denial. It denies that there is a creator.

And since it has its own rituals it can easily be called a cult.

But thanks for proving our point.

The political leaders were speaking to a gathering of mainstream religious churches who invited them to provide information about the challenges the community was facing as they understood it from their area of expertise within government. The billboards listed who was speaking, and who was hosting. If the separation of church and state means that religious institutions are barred from learning anything from their government leaders, we have a much bigger problem.

The counter-protest that Wachs led, however, had nothing to do with the speaking. It reacted to the group which prayed for the well being of families in Polk County, which the government leaders had nothing to do with.

You know nothing of Christianity, you should try learning something about it before you blast it.

@ stopthe
You are full of hate. You atheists have had your free ride enough. Only few politicians are giving you support to get your votes, not because they like you. Wake up.
I would also recommend seeing a shrink or something regarding that hate inside you, you keep posting venom.

No, Ellen, they prayed for the incarceration of people who may be entering Polk County with criminal intent.

And I retract my assumption that you led it. The article identified your group, quoted you, and identified you as the group’s president, so the insinuation of your leadership seemed apparent. Nevertheless, it was an assumption on my part.

The truth is, in general I respect you a great deal. You probably don’t remember me, but you and I have had some extensive conversation on twitter… particularly when you were going through all that junk with the first arrest, and I let you know that myself, and some folks at my church, were praying for you as you went through it, and that you had our support.

What irks me, however, is that there are times that HFA seems to do things which appear to serve no purpose but stir up controversy and further incite the ever-widening gap between the religious individuals and secular. Since the goal is presented as an attempt to foster unity in spite of religion’s divisiveness, I don’t get those activities except for the realization that controversy brings media attention.

Come on, Miss Wachs. You know better than that. The phrase in its entirety spoke to the idea that those with evil intentions would repent, or be caught and incarcerated. The reference to “turning to God’s way of living” was a reference to behavior, not the incarceration of anyone whose religious (or non-religious) perspective differs. They even further define it a few lines later, stating that the prayer had apparently been working, because the number of arrests of those dealing drugs or partaking of other criminal activities have increased. The argument that they are trying to lock up any differing perspective is inventive, but it has no basis in reality.

This is what I mean. In order to further breed division, the HFA has to twist words and then look for media attention. I have a number of non-theistic friends, and I respect them greatly. Many of them challenge me in ways that make me a better person. I’m afraid, however, that groups like the HFA tend to become the public face of atheism, and thereby paints all atheists as intolerant and hateful.

T.E. Hanna:

“God’s way of living” means becoming a Christian.

You can’t possibly expect Christian fanatics to believe that. Their heads are too stuffed up with irrational mumbo jumbo. There’s no room left for reason and knowledge.

Man all that foul mouthed ignorance and venom just because you are not aware of your own country’s history?

This country was found by devote Christians who were escaping persecution.
Go get some education and then you’d understand you militant foaming at the mouth atheist.
And speaking of fanatics, you and your pal “Thomas” who thinks that America does not have Muslims and the Buddhists and Hindus never committed a crime or hated anyone, both of you geniuses fit the description of fanatics.

you absolute and utter idiot – get someone to read his post to you – he actually said the opposite you mental midget – tthe fact that they are tolerated proves that there is no dictum by the State enforcing religion OR they would have been arrested for going against Religion.

Read the post pea-brain. He characterizes their protest as shenanigans. We can read between the lines.

No, they want anyone not following GODS way of living. Does that mean all atheists are criminals because we don’t follow GODS way of living?

yeah… wow, did you really just say that?

By the way, the issue of the “existence of God,” while not something that intelligent people discuss, ceases to be a religious issue when you bring it into the public sphere.

Once you do that, it becomes an issue of politics.

If you don’t understand or believe this, take a look for instance at Rick Santorum, or watch any of the republican presidential debates.

This is why atheists can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines. We can certainly no longer afford to leave the politics of society in the hands of the religious, especially those of the Abrahamic variety. They are too dangerous with their messianic, apocalyptic worldviews.

“Now that atheism is starting to get organized, religion doesn’t stand a chance. The ranks of atheists are already growing faster than that of any religion in the U.S.”

are you finally ready to freely admit, that by your own words, atheism is a religion?

so what are you going to do with the christians?

The reason people congregate for religion, in churches etc., is because like anything else in society, we practice our faith individually and in community. That’s the same thing in life…we are all individuals but we live in community with the rest of society. I am an Orthodox Christian. We have some pretty elaborate services especially for Easter, which is fast approaching. I love it and “live” in church for that entire time :”eating up” the wonderful services. However, that’s not everybody’s thing so…ok! But just because someone else doesn’t believe the same way there is no reason to criticize those who do. I know all about atheists. That’s not my thing and that’s ok too. Live your life however you choose to live it. End of story.

We are indeed sheep. Even the Bible says so, but what’s so very dangerous to you is that we know the voice of the Shepherd!

Indeed throw Obama out – he’s an avowed Christian – tee hee tee hee. He even semi quotes scripture to back his supposed “policies”

hopefully as distant as the horrors of the self-proclaimed atheistic states … 70 million deaths on the altar of a box that was too small for diety.

methinks you think you represent more than you really do

Exactly. And we would be perfectly happy to remain silent.

The thing that atheist activists resist is the cultural institutionalization of any particular religion. An honest christian would resist these things also, because there is nothing “Christian” about them.

It is the militant, evangelical, power-seeking and self-aggrandizing religious people and organizations that are targeted by this kind of protest, and rightfully so. If there ever was a false version of a religion, these people like Judd are it.

@stopthe

exactly you just proved the point – you are against the cultural acceptance not the State insititutionalization – be honest you are counter religion and not being forced to have any religious belief. You never have been – you point back hundreds of years to the Crusades or Inquisition becasue that’s what you conider a string argument for someone not blessing a highway? Personally I don’t see the point in blessing it. Their blessing it did nothing to cause harm of any kind and you know it where the “unblessing” wasa deliberatly aimed at offending someone? who is being the boorish, forceful pushy ones now? I swear I hear more bellyaching from Atheists going out of their way to be offended then I do Christians “evangelizing”.

Actually progressive, it is very much the opposite of what you said above. You think there is an afterlife, so you live this life kind of half heartedly, as it is just a stepping stone to another place. For people who have no belief system, this is the only life they get. Period. So life becomes way more precious. Every day is more important because it is all you get. Also, what right does anyone have telling me what I can or can not do? As long as I am not hurting anyone (or hurting myself so badly that it affects society) what difference should it make?

“I’m sorry to hear that”
this lack of empathy will never ever allow for a thriving system where life is cherished. your future is dark without a rescue.

Actually Lindsey if you had more brain than breath you’d realize you have no way of knowing what role that “believing in an afterlife” has in his desire to live. How can you logically assume he treats life any less precious than you do? You can’t if you’re honest. this life is especially precious because it’s your opportunity if you are a believer, to serve and to try and be altruistic. Who told you what you can and can not do? people can tell you they think what you are doing is wrong and base that on their belief – just like you can obviously decide what someone esle is doing is wrong and base it on wherever your beliefs come from. You base your morals on whether it hurts someone else and if that’s all you have for a measure that’s fine for you but why does it bother you that someone might have a different authority than the government telling them what they can and can’t do? Hwo does that hurt you? Because they tell you you will go to hell – if you dont; believe in it why do you care? Why do you have to go out fo your way to impune and denegrate and smear them for what they believe but they are supposed to accept you rlack of belief being thrown in their faces? meanwhile try not to base your logic on assumptions.

If this is all you get why bother at all? When you consider geologic time you are as significant as a fleck of dust.

Atheist, since you can change reality through your beliefs why not believe there is more for you instead of composting it in the afterlife. I choose life everlasting. Lose the pride gain eternity its that simple, through Jesus that is.

Darwin was merely a scientist who discovered a mechanism by which evolution can occur. He did not come close to unraveling the mystery of God.

If you have a hard time with creationism it just means that you are logical, It will serve best to think of the what transpired in the garden of Eden as a mental awakening.

The Devil is not a pointy guy in red, if it helps you forget the word devil. Any idea that allows you to dismiss the relevance of God originates from evil and surly will alienate you from your creator.

Just something to consider

Religious belief is insanity. Just who are you talkin’ to there on your lnees? Invisible beings? Yeah, that’s sane.

Muslims feel that you are “evil, immoral and irrationale.” Maybe you are wrong and going to burn in their hell as an? Does this idea frighten you and keep you up at night? Of course not…because you are not thinking in a bigger picture. Open up, and understand that MANY people do not think the same thing you do.

So Lindsey – why do you care – are you tryign to reverse “evangelize” no one can be religious because you find it irrational?

What he is trying to say is…..these were evil people killing for their own, individual idealism. Christians of the past were trying to cleanse evil, as a group. Christians are not people, but strive for good. The poeple named above strived for evil.

really – you people typically lead with the Crusases and Inquisition because it’s your only card

Hitler was NOT a Christian. He specifically believed that “God” should be Germany and that the people should worship their country. I really do feel sad when ignorant athiests try to use him as an example….

@Gary or that being an Atheist makes you right and not pathetic

@stopthe so think on that for a minute

While his comments aren’t the best for atheists, he never said anyone would be DEAD, you idiot. I don’t see any atheists on the streets, proclaiming death to all the believers. Only the opposite.

Really James? Really? Are you on board with the meme-complexes of hate and facade morality of stopthe?

You must have been looking in the mirror

@Joe it’s really hilarious that you woudn’t take the 5 minutes to look it up so you wouldn’t look so stupid… talk about idiots

Actually, gravity is a theory that attempts to explain a perceived phenomenon. No one is disputing the phenomenon. If you jump off a bridge, you ‘ll fall and now amount of praying to imaginary beings is going to save you,