Va. Congressman Randy Forbes Proposes "American Religious History Week"

As if hearing about Pat Robertson's desire to buy the local newspaper wasn't enough to convince me that I am surrounded by nut cases, Congressman Randy Forbes got news coverage today for his desire to have a week set aside each May “for the appreciation of and education on America’s history of religious faith.”

Having known Randy Forbes since law school days, I am beginning to wonder whether he is suffering from early senile dementia or has just gone over the edge and become a full blown fundie wingnut and/or is pandering to his wingnut brethren. With all the weighty and urgent issues facing the USA, this is what he finds important? He wants Congress to pass an "American Religious History Week" resolution instead of worrying about 47 million Americans with no health insurance? I do not get it! Moreover, with Virginia slowly trending more moderate, passing resolutions to please folks like Pat Robertson doesn't seem the wisest thing to do politically. Here are highlights from local coverage (http://hamptonroads.com/2008/01/critics-slam-history-week%E2%80%99-resolution-rep-forbes) which would have had no negative comments quoted if Pat already owned the paper:

A congressional resolution by U.S. Rep. Randy Forbes to designate an American Religious History Week has critics saying the measure ignores the nation’s spiritual pluralism and distorts history. The measure was criticized as “meddling in religious issues” by Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a nonprofit advocacy group that says the government is supposed to be religiously neutral.

An Americans United news release said the resolution distorts American history to “portray a recurring intersection of religion and government.” The resolution includes more than 60 historical references to presidents, court rulings, official events and monuments that cite a role or presence of religion in an American context. Forbes’ Web site lists the resolution under “family values” actions taken by the congressman.

The Rev. Barry Lynn of Americans United said the measure included “some flatly incorrect statements, including the idea that the Supreme Court has declared this a Christian nation, which it has not.” He said the resolution “gives no serious consideration to alternative important contributions made by non believers or people of other religious backgrounds.”