News How Has the Bible Influenced U.S. National Holidays and Governance?

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The discussion centers around a resolution introduced in Congress to declare a "National Year of the Bible," primarily sponsored by Republican representatives. Participants express concern over the implications of such a resolution, arguing it endorses Christianity and violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which prohibits the government from establishing a religion. Critics highlight the historical context, noting that while references to God exist in foundational documents like the Declaration of Independence, the founding fathers intentionally kept religious texts out of government. The resolution is viewed as a political maneuver, aimed at rallying the Republican base and framing opposition as "anti-Bible." Many contributors emphasize the need for Congress to focus on substantive issues rather than symbolic gestures that could alienate non-Christian citizens. The discussion also touches on the broader implications of religious endorsement in government and the importance of treating all religions equally. Overall, the sentiment is that the resolution is unnecessary and could further divide rather than unify the nation.
  • #51
mgb_phys said:
The pilgrims left for America because they wanted to introduce harsh religious restrictions. They first left for Amsterdam in the hope of finding a less liberal attitude - this was about the level of strategic thinking that accompanied the rest of their endeavor.
Not too dissimilar from the Jonestown project. Good thing the pilgrims didn't have Kool-Aid. Plenty of them died anyway simply from underestimating the severity of New England winters, though if they had consulted with the European fishermen who had been exploiting NE fisheries for long before the pilgrims showed up, they might have had a clue. All latitudes are not created equal.
 
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  • #52
jacksonpeeble said:
I believe that all religions need to be treated equally.
I agree!
but I believe All religions should be questioned on a personal basis. As in, where did you acquire this belief? What facts prove this belief?
And the religions that cannot justify their beliefs should be abandoned.
 
  • #53
russ_watters said:
Of that there is no doubt, but how does that have anything to do with the Constitutionality of the proposed bill? A national year of the bible endorses Christianity - it is about as plain a violation of the establishment clause as there could be.
This thing is a resolution, not a law or bill. Congress is free to resolve tomorrow morning that Physics Forums is the greatest web presence in the history of the world and in the afternoon resolve that the Constitution be balled up and trashed, all without care to the Constituion. This particular resolution is however, in my opinion, foolish.
 
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  • #54
Alfi said:
I agree!
but I believe All religions should be questioned on a personal basis. As in, where did you acquire this belief? What facts prove this belief?
And the religions that cannot justify their beliefs should be abandoned.

Abandoned by who? What constitutes a justification in a belief system? What is justified by one is not by another.
 
  • #55
Alfi said:
I agree!
but I believe All religions should be questioned on a personal basis. As in, where did you acquire this belief? What facts prove this belief?
And the religions that cannot justify their beliefs should be abandoned.

Religious beliefs are based on faith, not proof. Many do fail. For example, how many Shakers have you seen lately? :biggrin:
 

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