Saturday, June 11, 2005

Separation of Church and State: R.I.P

Earlier in the week Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) signed a bill requiring parental consent for minors seeking abortions, and another bill supporting the move to put a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage on the state's Nov.8 ballot. Surprising? Not really. Republicans just love to stomp on abortion and gay rights. But what does make these bills so noteworthy is that they were signed by Perry before 1000 gleeful, church-going evangelicals at the Calvary Christian Academy in Fort Worth. That he chose to sign them in church symbolizes where the party as a whole stands today, and the narrow constituency it's pandering to. Perry had promised to sign these bills in a "Christian celebration." So much for the separation of church and state. It is both irresponsible and reprehensible for Perry to use a house of worship to showcase his hate bills. The politicization of religion in this country today is shameful. The Republican party has hijacked God and faith, and it's getting worse. Today in Washington, you're devotion to God is measured by your support for anti-abortion and anti-gay legislation; and support for the Iraq war, judicial extremism, and President Bush. Part of the opposition? Then you're sacrilegious, unpatriotic and un-American. Look how far we've come after 230 years. Our founding fathers are probably cringing in their graves. Andy

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