Comments on: (More) Fighting For (Christian) Religious Expression http://wildhunt.org/blog/2008/01/more-fighting-for-christian-religious.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:24:03 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: The Wild Hunt » Does Jan Brewer Care About Religious Minorities? http://wildhunt.org/blog/2008/01/more-fighting-for-christian-religious.html/comment-page-1#comment-4347 The Wild Hunt » Does Jan Brewer Care About Religious Minorities? Sun, 12 Jul 2009 15:34:41 +0000 http://wildhunt.org/blog/2008/01/more-fighting-for-christian-religious-expression.html#comment-4347 [...] into coursework, and to wear religiously-themed jewelry and clothing. Similar legislation was passed in Texas and rejected in Oklahoma. While this new legislation may seem benign on the surface, who’s [...] [...] into coursework, and to wear religiously-themed jewelry and clothing. Similar legislation was passed in Texas and rejected in Oklahoma. While this new legislation may seem benign on the surface, who’s [...]

]]> By: Jason Pitzl-Waters http://wildhunt.org/blog/2008/01/more-fighting-for-christian-religious.html/comment-page-1#comment-1360 Jason Pitzl-Waters Sun, 06 Jan 2008 17:24:00 +0000 http://wildhunt.org/blog/2008/01/more-fighting-for-christian-religious-expression.html#comment-1360 <i>"Why? I'm called neo-conservative often by UUs. I'm not embarrassed by another persons expression of faith."</i><br/><br/>My experience so far is that "religious freedom" laws and ordinances passed by (predominantly Christian) conservatives are specifically designed to enhance the rights of Christians, and not the rights of religious minorities. <br/><br/>When these laws "backfire" and end up empowering religious minorities (specifically Pagans), there is often a great hue and cry, and in some cases the ordinances are removed. <br/><br/>Further, this specific legislation is aimed at students, not "ministers", and the it specifically protects denominational speech, so a hypothetical Wiccan student could invoke Isis or Pan all he or she wanted and (in theory) be protected. But somehow I think we'll hear "Jesus" an awful lot before we ever get to any other religion-specific deities. “Why? I’m called neo-conservative often by UUs. I’m not embarrassed by another persons expression of faith.”

My experience so far is that “religious freedom” laws and ordinances passed by (predominantly Christian) conservatives are specifically designed to enhance the rights of Christians, and not the rights of religious minorities.

When these laws “backfire” and end up empowering religious minorities (specifically Pagans), there is often a great hue and cry, and in some cases the ordinances are removed.

Further, this specific legislation is aimed at students, not “ministers”, and the it specifically protects denominational speech, so a hypothetical Wiccan student could invoke Isis or Pan all he or she wanted and (in theory) be protected. But somehow I think we’ll hear “Jesus” an awful lot before we ever get to any other religion-specific deities.

]]> By: Tracie the Red http://wildhunt.org/blog/2008/01/more-fighting-for-christian-religious.html/comment-page-1#comment-1359 Tracie the Red Sun, 06 Jan 2008 16:25:00 +0000 http://wildhunt.org/blog/2008/01/more-fighting-for-christian-religious-expression.html#comment-1359 I wonder what Bill Barr means by "Heathen." Probably not what I would mean by that word. <br/><br/>And beyond that...let's not forget there are other issues out there that Americans are facing that need attention. The neocons are masters of creating mountains out of molehills to distract people from their chipping away at the US Constitution. I wonder what Bill Barr means by “Heathen.” Probably not what I would mean by that word.

And beyond that…let’s not forget there are other issues out there that Americans are facing that need attention. The neocons are masters of creating mountains out of molehills to distract people from their chipping away at the US Constitution.

]]> By: Bill Baar http://wildhunt.org/blog/2008/01/more-fighting-for-christian-religious.html/comment-page-1#comment-1358 Bill Baar Sun, 06 Jan 2008 13:43:00 +0000 http://wildhunt.org/blog/2008/01/more-fighting-for-christian-religious-expression.html#comment-1358 <em>While Wiccans and other minority faiths taking advantage of the law could be embarrassing for the conservative lawmakers...</em><br/><br/>Why? I'm called neo-conservative often by UUs. I'm not embarrassed by another persons expression of faith. <br/><br/>If a minister from such a faith gave the standard non-denominational sort of prayer at the start of the foot ball game, I'm certain most would even know what <em>denomination</em> a Wiccan was.<br/><br/>If they cast a spell that made the home team win, well, they might find themselves heros.<br/><br/>We Americans can be a heathen lot when it comes to sports. While Wiccans and other minority faiths taking advantage of the law could be embarrassing for the conservative lawmakers…

Why? I’m called neo-conservative often by UUs. I’m not embarrassed by another persons expression of faith.

If a minister from such a faith gave the standard non-denominational sort of prayer at the start of the foot ball game, I’m certain most would even know what denomination a Wiccan was.

If they cast a spell that made the home team win, well, they might find themselves heros.

We Americans can be a heathen lot when it comes to sports.

]]> By: Ali http://wildhunt.org/blog/2008/01/more-fighting-for-christian-religious.html/comment-page-1#comment-1357 Ali Sat, 05 Jan 2008 22:07:00 +0000 http://wildhunt.org/blog/2008/01/more-fighting-for-christian-religious-expression.html#comment-1357 I suppose it's too much to hope that treating religious statements in "the same way" as secular statements would mean teachers could ask, "And on what do you base that opinion?" and expect a thorough, thoughtful answer based on historical, scientific and/or literary textual examples...<br/><br/>Sigh. I suppose it’s too much to hope that treating religious statements in “the same way” as secular statements would mean teachers could ask, “And on what do you base that opinion?” and expect a thorough, thoughtful answer based on historical, scientific and/or literary textual examples…

Sigh.

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