Thursday, December 13, 2007

Holiday Hypocrisy

The Bible says (James 1:27) true religion is not just a soundbite for public consumption, but sacrificial works of mercy on behalf of the weak and defenseless.

America's Founding Fathers consistently endorsed, recommended, and promoted "true religion." They sensed, but did not fully recognize, that "the State" is inherently inconsistent with "true religion." The State relies on violence, which is antithetical to the teachings of Christ. It promotes the interests of the powerful, not the weak, and manipulates voters with Messianic promises, which America's Founders recognized as "idolatry."

Therefore, the State always and inescapably exploits religion. It uses religion in a "politically correct" way for purely partisan advantage.

On Tuesday, the House of Representatives voted on an apparently benign resolution, H.R. 847, "recognizing the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith." Not surprisingly, the initiative, sponsored by Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), passed overwhelmingly--despite nine Democrats who voted against it and ten members (nine Democrats and one Republican) who voted "present." Rep. Ron Paul, on the campaign trail, did not vote at all.

Congress is an accessory to what Ron Paul calls a "War on Religion." Congress has the power to reign in federal courts which violate the First Amendment by imposing the religion of Secular Humanism on states which were promised freedom from federal interference in religious issues. But Congress lacks the courage to do so. So Congress passes plastic tinsel and glitter resolutions which do nothing except fool Christians into voting for them once again.

Interestingly, the 17 Democrats who voted either "nay" or "present" weren't motivated by the myth of "separation of church and state," since they had been seen formally recognizing Islam back in October. H.R. 635, sponsored by Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Tex.), recognized the "commencement of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal, and commended Muslims in the United States and throughout the world for their faith." But a similar resolution regarding Christians and Christmas was unacceptable to them.

Conservatives appeal to Christians with Holiday Hypocrisy, while liberal Democrats appeal to "secular progressives" by snubbing "true religion."

Perhaps these congressional scrooges took issue with the wording of the Christmas resolution. Or did they have a bigger problem rejecting "bigotry and persecution directed against Christians, both in the United States and worldwide"? Maybe they disagreed with the expression of their "deepest respect to American Christians and Christians throughout the world."

Whatever their reasoning, these 17 Democrats have some explaining to do. How can they possibly promote Islam in the same breath that they attack Christianity, the very faith that buoyed our nation at its founding?

The following voted "no" on H.R. 847 and "yes" on H.R. 635: Reps. Gary Ackerman (D-N.Y.), Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), Diana DeGette (D-Co.), Alcee Hastings (D-Fl.), Jim McDermott (D-Wash.), Bobby Scott (D-Va.), Fortney Stark (D-Calif.) and Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.).

Those who voted "present" on H.R. 847 and "yes" on H.R. 635 include: Reps. John Conyers (D-Mich.), Barney Frank (D-Mass.), Rush Holt (D-N.J.), Donald Payne (D-N.J.), Janice Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Allyson Schwartz (D-Pa.), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fl.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and John Yarmuth (D-Ky.).

Source: Family Research Council
Additional Resources:
House vote Recognizing the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith
House vote Recognizing the commencement of Ramadan

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