Randy Forbes Pushing Resolution on National Role of Religion

Just the other day we commented on Randy Forbes' rant against the hate crimes bills in the House of Representatives. Now Forbes is pushing a worthless resolution that has no purpose other than to provide orgasms to far right Christianists by "affirming the country’s “rich spiritual and religious history.” If Forbes were from anywhere in the Hampton's Roads area other than Chesapeake - one of the most reactionary cities in the area when it comes to social issues and recognizing the separation of church and state - he'd never dare introduce such a resolution, particularly when the nation has so many much more pressing issues that need to be addressed. And the GOP wonders why it is losing support and appearing increasingly irrelevant and/or delusional. If Randy wants some accurate information on this nation NOT being a Christian nation, all he needs to do is call me and I will gladly provided it. Here are some highlights from the Virginian Pilot:

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As U.S. Rep. Randy Forbes tries again to get Congress to approve a resolution affirming the country’s “rich spiritual and religious history,” he’s taking issue with President Barack Obama’s recent comments on religion and politics.

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During a visit to Turkey last month, Obama said, “One of the great strengths of the United States is, although I have mentioned we have a very large Christian population, we do not consider ourselves a Christian nation or a Jewish nation or a Muslim nation; we consider ourselves a nation of citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values.”
That’s just incorrect, Forbes said Wednesday.

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An identical resolution, introduced by Forbes last year, died in a congressional committee. This year’s measure, HR397, is co-sponsored by 24 other legislators, but it has drawn criticism from opponents who say it is revisionist history because it doesn’t include historical information that would contradict Forbes’ views.

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The Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said Forbes’ proposal “is not a fair or accurate representation of what religious liberty has meant in this country.” “This is done solely to score political points now and in the event it ever comes up for a vote, to chastise as non-religious those who don’t vote for it,’’ Lynn said.

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The Rev. Geoffrey V. Guns, pastor of Second Calvary Baptist Church in Norfolk, said . . . “I would have a little concern with someone who would want to legislate that America is a religious nation,” Guns said. “Then you have to say, 'Whose religion?’ and, 'Who is religious?’”