The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission

1 On Sep 11th, 2007, at 9:42am, Linda Diane McMillan wrote:

Yes they are.  In fact no one is prohibited from praying anytime anywhere.  Go right on ahead with the prayers.  Just don’t make me listen to them.

Linda Diane McMillan
Austin, Texas

3 On Sep 19th, 2007, at 5:18pm, Matt Hawkins wrote:

A couple questions for Eric (post 2)

Eric said,

“What the ERLC has advocated in the past is to change the law to obliterate the religion-neutral basis of the nation, and make a Christian a more worthy citizen than any other.”

That’s a rather bold claim Eric. Will you care to substantiate that claim? I’m pretty sure you have the ERLC confused with someone else, but I’m open to be proven wrong in the event you can show evidence.

Also, on your comment:

“It is neither legal nor appropriate to arrogate public facilities for that purpose.”

That’s an interesting choice of verb, “arrogate.” Would you care to provide an example of what you mean? In other words, what would you consider illegal and inappropriate?

Thanks for your time.

5 On Sep 20th, 2007, at 4:40pm, eric wrote:

Hi, Matt. Do you no longer reveal that you are an employee of the ERLC, and are paid to spin the discussion to the ‘correct’ point of view?

Point 2 first.

ar·ro·gate /ˈærəˌgeɪt/ –verb (used with object),gat·ed, -gat·ing. 1. to claim unwarrantably or presumptuously; assume or appropriate to oneself without right: to arrogate the right to make decisions. 

The use of public facilities for religious purposes to which a portion of the public objects would seem to fall well within the comcept of arrogation, and those who do so as arrogant. [same root] The schools and other PUBLIC institutions belong equally to ALL citizens, be they Christian, Moslem, atheist, or none of the above.If you don’t see this as inappropriate, you just proved my point 1.

Asking me to substantiate anything in 1k characters is absurd; particularly when you are allowed unlimited space for YOUR views.

7 On Sep 25th, 2007, at 9:37pm, Ed Vinson wrote:

In America we are hanging on the edge of a great precipice.  So-called “hate crime” legislation will be introduced in the U.S. Senate shortly, and has ALREADY been passed in the U.S. House.  The REAL AIM of this legislation is to PUT PASTORS AND OTHERS WHO SPEAK OUT AGAINST HOMOSEXUALITY INTO JAIL!  This has ALREADY been done in SWEDEN and CANADA!  Christians have ALREADY been ARRESTED in PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA for presenting the GOSPEL at a Gay Pride rally!  Christians, we MUST make our voices heard in the U.S. Senate!  PLEASE, CALL,WRITE, EMAIL YOUR SENATORS TO DEFEAT THIS LEGISLATION, NOW!!  WOULD YOU RATHER TAKE A STAND NOW, OR FROM THE JAILHOUSE?!  This is MOST URGENT!  In the love of Jesus Christ for America, Ed Vinson

9 On Sep 27th, 2007, at 9:23pm, Sue K wrote:

Let’s see… We can have the kids line up their prayer mats, face east, and pray to the Virgin Mary, recite a couple of lines from Macabees and then light the Menorrah.  Or maybe we should just limit our biblical recitation to passages that the Brittish royals have liked, and kept.  Afterward, we can recite a disclaimer like they have on infomercials on tv.  Then, if you live in Utah, maybe the first second and third grade teacher can all have their (same) husband in to lead prayers.  The losers in the football game can handle a few serpents to see if being losers is REALLY God’s will… If you take a hit at converting other people’s kids this way, you open yours up to it too.

11 On Oct 3rd, 2007, at 9:46pm, Dr M Thorne wrote:

Richard Land made the statement that the majority of Southern Baptists will urge the president to veto the Hate Crimes legislation and the ENDA - Employment Discrimination Act -. 80% of all US citizens approve the passage of these bills. As a member of a SBC church, Richard Land does not speak for me and many other SBC church members who do not approve of discrimination in any form.

13 On Oct 8th, 2007, at 12:02am, sue K wrote:

My comment, Ed, is that if prayer is allowed in public schools that your version of Christianity or Christianity itself might be in the minority.  I wouldn’t want some twisted version of the bible or of religion taught to my child by someone who believes something wierd.  Prayer in schools opens that up.  I think that everyone’s for prayer in public schools as long as the prayer is consistant with their beliefs, but that it won’t be.

15 On Oct 26th, 2007, at 9:43am, marc l wrote:

dear christians: We all have the right to think and speak what we believe!That also includes hateful people,to muzzel anyone is unlawful. I do not like the idea that a preacher is put in the same catigory as a neo-nazi! To say the hate of a clansman speach to hurt the homosexuals; is the same as the love of a preachers sermon to reach them, is upsetting! Because that is what the law says. To the ones that this offends just think about this. What is the difference between that law, and what hitler &stalin;had for laws? The language!

17 On Nov 7th, 2007, at 1:37pm, Lori B wrote:

Well, since the majority of posters can’t seem to get over themselves and their liberal rhetoric long enough to stay ON TOPIC, and the topic is “Are students allowed to pray, in a legal and appropriate manner, during graduation activities in your community?” ...

Yes, I am happy to say that they are, in my community.

19 On Nov 17th, 2007, at 5:48am, jackie mccarty wrote:

i feel christians need to stand together on our rights, god created this world and people may not want to accept that, no matter what the world says or does the word of God will stand. this is suppose to be american, we have a right for freedom of religion and freedom to speak, the churches need to take a stand and unite together, america was founded on God, and God won’t be took out of it, no matter what people do.

21 On Feb 8th, 2008, at 8:24am, pam wrote:

What is being done about international law? Alot of our probs are on our legal benches and in Harvard etc.  International will take precedent over constitutional.  This one is crouching at the door threatening all freedoms.  Do we have a plan?