If the situation in Garland had been reversed with Muslims demonstrating and Christians armed with assault rifles proceeded to begin shooting, the same police response applies.
The most important lesson learned is that in a democracy, people are not killed for their values and beliefs. Diversity is one of the founding principles and strengths of American democracy because we are a nation of immigrants with a variety of religions and belief systems. John Adams Quotes on Government: “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people.” It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” “The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.” The founders were well aware of the dangers of any state-sponsored religion. In response to widespread sentiment that to survive the United States needed a stronger federal government, a convention met in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787 and on September 17 adopted the Constitution of the United States. Article VI states "no religious Test shall ever be required as Qualification" for federal office holders. According to The Congressional Register Adams’ decree was reiterated, James Madison the fourth president from 1809-1817 moved that "the civil rights of none shall be abridged on account of religious belief or worship, nor shall any national religion be established, nor shall the full and equal rights of conscience be in any manner, or on any pretext infringed." Madison defined freedom of religion as a “civil right,” that shall not be infringed. If Americans believe in the Constitution and the founders, then respect for the rights of all individuals to free speech and assembly must be secured and respected at all times. As repugnant and prejudicial as Gellar appears and the Muslim response her group incited which was thwarted by police, she was within her civil rights. Considering the outcome of two dead Muslims who otherwise might still be alive, she does not have much to complain about. She is alive and was protected appropriately, so the best thing for her group to do is count their non-denominational blessings and move on quietly. Resources http://www.rawstory.com/2015/05/pam-geller-lashes-out-at-critics-youre-saying-the-pretty-girl-caused-her-own-rape/ http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/religion/rel06.html
3 Comments
eileen
6/5/2015 03:30:05 pm
Thank you for posting a report on this one
Reply
Dava Castillo
6/5/2015 05:17:55 pm
Thanks for reading and commenting Eileen.
Reply
eileen
7/5/2015 06:07:30 am
I know what you mean Dava :) Leave a Reply. |
Dava Castillo
is retired and lives in Clearlake, California. She has three grown
children and one grandson and a Bachelor’s degree in Health Services
Administration from St. Mary’s College in Moraga California. On the
home front Dava enjoys time with her family, reading, gardening, cooking
and sewing. Archives
November 2015
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