We are a country of laws based on freedoms guaranteed by our constitution; and sometimes it takes the courts to reexamine our laws and put us back in compliance.
The Supreme Court’s ruling that freedom to marry is a basic right of all American citizens also reaffirmed a second point: that any one person’s or group’s religious beliefs cannot be dictated as the basis of law for the entire country.
The First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees an individual’s basic right to worship, or not worship, as he or she pleases – free from government dictate; but it also guarantees that the government shall not enact any law based on one group’s religious doctrine and impose such doctrine on all American citizens.
Every time I hear a politician invoking his religious belief (or the Bible) as the basis for or against a proposed or standing law or ruling I cringe. The First Amendment to the Constitution states plainly: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion… It has always been touted that the Pilgrims came to the ‘new world’ seeking the freedom of religion; but the reason for their migration was to flee from a nation mandating a specific religion’s doctrine as law – a freedom from mandated religion.
Unfortunately many fundamentalist Christian sects in the United States would see this country as a Christian theocracy and impose their beliefs and bigotry and prejudices as the law of the land; and for a long while our citizens have been endanger by a movement of radical, mostly Republican, legislatures aimed on enacting a form of Christian Sharia Law and declaring this country a Christian nation.
The court’s ruling was based on the Constitutional premise of equality of the law; but it also reaffirms the First Amendment, that all persons in our nation have a right to their religious beliefs and to worship as they please; but they do not have the right to inflict through legislation their personal religious doctrine on the public at large.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances
William Gilliland
Farmington
Well said, problem is we are constantly being bombarded by this group or that group and give them special rights, Gay weddings as an example, not that I care what people marry for all I care they can marry their horses but when that extends to things like the battle flag of the south like the blacks are doing now I think that is also wrong.
Steve
I agree with a lot of what William said. — As for me, I believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I believe that the Bible is the Word of God. My choice, I’m FREE to do so. Everyone does not have to believe what I believe in. That is their choice. I will Pray for those that do not believe in God, or that the Bible is the Word of God. My choice, I’m FREE to do so. I will not try to force my beliefs onto anyone, I’ll just continue to Pray for everyone. My choice, I’m FREE to do so.
Yes, they say that this Country was started because of Religious Freedom, so I was taught in school. They used to read the Bible, (used as a textbook) in school. They used to teach AMERICAN HISTORY in school, that subject has gone by the wayside. I guess there afraid that some students will see how great we once were as a Nation, because we believed in God. We were taught to RESPECT others by our PARENTS at home and our teachers in school, that has gone by the wayside.
When it comes down to the end, and one day it will, God will have the last Word. My belief, My choice, I’m FREE to do so. God Bless All and I’ll continue to PRAY for all, especially our NATION and our Leaders.
Don’t worry, with the political correctness people constantly attacking basic american rights so as not to offend anyone, this country will be Muslim before we know it and Sharia law will be the law of the land and then we’ll see about special interests groups rights and religious freedoms.
The Confederate (battle) flag is symbolic of division, racism, oppression and white supremist ‘ideals’ that reappeared in the 1950’s and ’60 as a response to the Civil Rights movement. It was an insult then and it is now.
As for “Muslims taking over this country and imposing their beliefs”, it’s an absurd notion promoted to cause fear and loathing among those ignorant enough repeat such drivel.
The flag that is causing so much hyperventilation is on display in many (I suspect all) Maine towns and cities – today. No one gave it a second glance until the awful event in SC. But to imply that division, racism, and oppression is restricted to the South is indeed an insult, designed “to cause fear and loathing among those ignorant enough repeat such drivel”, promoted in the supremacist rantings of northern white liberals.
By the way, Elmira, the civil rights legislation of the 60’s was supported by Republicans, while Democrats, especially southern Democrats, fought it tooth and nail. Things have turned 180 degrees in Dixie. Up here in enlightened New England, we seem to still be fighting the war of Northern aggression.
Maine has a proud past of being on the right side of the terrible war that was fought to preserve the Union. Wherever that Confederate flag flies in Maine is indeed an insult to to our own history and sensibilities.
If Frostproof wants to depict the Civil War as ‘the war of Northern Aggression’, his sympathies are greatly misplaced and very unfortunate.
And by the way, I remember the ’60’s in the South, lived there, saw it first-hand. Many of the Democrats couldn’t wait to flip to the GOP to distance themselves from the civil rights policies that passed under Republican and Democratic presidents (Eisenhower and LBJ).
Also, by the way, they are still burning black churches in South Carolina since the church massacre in Charleston.. And flying the Confederate flag…”old habits” die hard, right?
@ Frostproof:
You’re wrong about no one giving that flag a second glance. I have despised that flag all my life and I know many others who feel the same. If I were a African American, I should think that would be even more so.
It is akin to the the Nazi flag as an emblem and symbol of how morally wrong a society can be.
I believe that a majority of americans feel as I do way and have felt that way. Until now, they have assumed they were powerless to change the status quo that has been rigidly held in place by what ( it turns out) was a small minority of the population. It’s high time that flag was put on a shelf and allowed to collect dust.
The civil war was anything but. It was an act of treason, for the purpose of keeping the practice of slavery as legitimate and denigrating a race of human beings to be domestic animals. It was and remains, a shameful disgrace to our nation. As to THE FALCON – that was a part of what you consider was once our great nation. Along with the genocide of the aboriginal peoples of the continent, and many other grievous actions.
Get over yourself.
Frostproof: I did not realize Lyndon Johnson was a Norther Republican, but I definitely realize racism is not restricted to the South, or to feelings against any one race. Was LBJ from Northern Texas?
The human races need to belong to a social groupo can feed into the group feelings of fear and concern about other groups….regardless of race. Think about it: In my hometown, the Irish and Scots lived on one side, and the Italians on another. Those that crossed over into the other side of town were considered a threat and were soon chased out.
The only way to fight racism/fear of another group is to get to know and interact with”the others” and recognize and respect them as people.
It is good to see so many afraid of a piece of cloth. Now I know Maine no longer Maine, but Mass.
It ain’t the flag, its the insecure flyers thereof that scare the crap out of me
They are too proud to avail themselves of the therapy/treatment now available (with rebaits to all) via the ACA
Just ordered the flag and will fly it at my place. The flag is not the problem. It’s a bunch of liberals that have the need to pounce on anything that is not in their realm of political correctness.
Yes Chuck I hear you, with all those stories of the North being constantly invaded by those Confederate flag wavers in the last 150 years, it’s hard not to tremble in fear. The raping and pillaging of those insecure flyers is staggering!
I think you need a trip to said couch.
Notwithstanding what my liberal therapist tried to tell me they really were after me
My new schrink is really cool and I think I am really getting better (finally!)
He is an amateur gunsmith and has a shooting range in his waiting room
In addition to the back door meds he gives me he talked me getting a Glug 13.5mm with extended magazine filled with hollow pints………………….just let’um try and come and get me now, bring it on!
That flag IS the problem. Same goes for those who fly it.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/07/01/why-do-people-believe-myths-about-the-confederacy-because-our-textbooks-and-monuments-are-wrong/?tid=pm_pop_b
@ Mainiac
Help me figure this out; Liberals, are normally equated to Democrats, yes?
Republicans are considered “conservatives” yes?
It was the election of Abraham Lincoln- a Republican that was the catalyst that made the southern states secede and from the confederacy. Are we still on the same page?
This was because, the southern states wanted to retain the practice of slavery, and the rest of the country- led by the REPUBLICANS, wanted slavery abolished.
Do you feel that slavery is a liberal notion, or a conservative one? Do you feel that racism, bigotry, slavery and prejudice are liberal ideals- or conservative ideals? Are they Republican or Democratic ideals?
Or, are you an ignorant, racist, bigoted person who just wants to show off how means spirited you can be?
The confederate flag- or the battle flag of Virginia (whatever) has always been a symbol of support for the Southern Confederacy, which was created in the attempt to continue the practice of slavery. It wasn’t about state rights vs. federal. No other issue has ever arisen in disputing the rights of states vs. the central government that led to states attempting to secede. It was all about continuing to keep legal, the practice of owning other human beings. So- to fly that flag; to display it; means with no uncertainty that the person displaying it is in favor of slavery. They sincerely believe that they are somehow superior to other people, solely because of their skin color and that makes it okay to own others and use them as one might use a beast of burden.
I can assure you beyond the slightest shadow of a doubt that there are many, many people, of other races, other skin colors, other ethnicities that are superior to you in nearly every way. That is true for you, for me, and for all of us.
Just as people display NRA stickers, fish signs ( and PHISH signs), pink ribbons, yellow ribbons, American flags, AA slogans…. to show others who they are and what their beliefs are, so does the confederate flag. It shows that you are a racist and a slave owner wanabe.
As The comedian John Oliver said a few days after the Charston shootings:
“The Confederate flag is one of those symbols that really should only be seen on T-shirts, belt buckles and bumper stickers to help the rest of us identify the worst people in the world.”
And might i add, the dumbest. Fly that flag, Maineac.
I just got an email from Rachel Maddow who wanted to know who Maineiac (The Original One) really was
Seems like MSNBC is holding open a spot for folks like that for a prime time slot down the road
Told her I’d ask around and get back to her, suggested that whoever he/she/it really was they’d probably prefer to remain hooded for the interview
The confederate flag is just a piece of cloth that just happens to also have stars and stripes on it. It doesn’t represent the massacre that happened in Charleston. It does represent a dark period of United States history. I’m not flying it because I’m for slavery or against blacks. I’m flying it to show my disgust for a bunch of liberals that have the need to pounce on anything that is not in their realm of political correctness which all this hoopla over the flag is.
@Maineiac (The Original One)
I wood think that a tee shirt with the flag on it worn out in pubic wood be a better way of communicating your disgust and possibly showing supporters where you seem to stand on this important matter
if political incorrectness, and not ideology, is your real motive, then why not a swastika?
How about flying the Nazi flag as well (it’s just an ancient symbol, after all) and a rainbow flag ( what’s wrong with rainbows?) As much as you would like to deny it, flags have become symbols, Maineiac. Maybe you could create your own anti-Liberal agenda flag and stop being so clueless.
Always resorting to the slavery clause. Just a history lesson for the cloth “haters”, slavery didn’t just happen in the south. Even your beloved State of Maine had slaves. The north didn’t have as “much” but did in fact have slaves. Another point is your logic is shot because you say it is a symbol of hate then in the next breath say how flag flyers are dumb. Using hate to despise hate. Enjoy your freedoms, I’ll enjoy mine!
“Dumb” and “ignorant” are not typically considered “hate speech”, but merely describe those who fail to think clearly due to lack of understanding or those who choose to misunderstand.
Hate speech typically involves “Always resorting to the slavery clause.” when trying and failing to deflect justifiable criticism.
typical conservative victim mentality.
The extremists on any side have interchangeable arguments.
They just all use the same words and this them back and forth at each other.
Nothing accomplished.
Many, many southerners lost their lives fighting under that flag and many of them never owned a slave. I’m also flying that flag in honer of them along side and slightly lower than the Stars and Stripes.
This has been somewhat ‘interesting’ and revealing “discussion”
I really have reservations that political correctness (disgusting or otherwise) complained of by Maineiac (The Original One) is the province of liberals
It has been my observation that when a claim of discrimination (usually by a “liberal” that conservatives (usually) throw a hissy fit and scream ‘they’re playing the “race card”
The argument has been made that as to political correctness that conservatives and right-wing libertarians pushed the term in order to divert attention from more substantive matters of discrimination and as part of a broader culture war against liberalism.
Webster suggests that political correctness is something like:
“conforming to a belief that language and practices which could offend political sensibilities (as in matters of sex or race) should be eliminated”
“agreeing with the idea that people should be careful to not use language or behave in a way that could offend a particular group of people”
My guess is that a black person (probably not all) would find that association of the flag in question with slavery somewhat offensive
If the intent IS to offend, certainly free speech permits this if that is what flag flyers wish to convey
@Maineiac(The Original One): Your “reason” for flying the Confederate flag rings hollow. The Confederates fought for secession/separation from these United States. You have a strange take on “Independence Day”.
Mainiac-
Many Germans died who were not members of the Nazi party. Do people fly the Nazi flag for them?
In the same vein of thought, many innocent Iraqi people were inadvertently killed by us; do we honor them in any way?
Many Filipinos, French, Dutch, English, Chinese, etc. died helping Americans in war. Do we honor them?
The original intent of establishing Memorial day, was to honor the confederates who died in the civil war.
So, Mainiac, did you do anything in particular on that day to honor them? How many of those who display the confederate flag even know or care about the original meaning and purpose of Memorial day?
There are other ways to honor those who have fallen in battle- other than displaying a symbol of slavery.
Why is it that every single time someone has a different opinion than what most of you are voicing then that person is “an ignorant, racist, bigoted person”? Or spoken to like they’re “clueless”? I’m sure everyone on here realizes that one of our greatest rights as Americans is to be able to HAVE and VOICE our own opinions. Just as it would be unfair of me to judge anyone who sends their child to school in clothes that don’t match or if one’s house/dooryard tend to be a bit more overgrown/in need of repair than I care to see, it’s rather unfair of you all to sit on here and judge others who don’t share your opinion of how things should be. You might not like someone’s choice to fly the Confederate flag, but really – it’s none of your business. So many of you will probably be a lot less stressed out when you stop worrying so much about what other people who don’t share your beliefs are doing.
@Help me out: Unfair? No, it’s not. What’s ‘unfair’ is staying SILENT in the face of racism, bigotry, and ignorant adherence to unjust causes.
The examples you offer of judging a child’s mismatched clothing, or an unkempt door yard have nothing to do with voicing a condemnation of a
hurtful symbol.
Snowman…I would have if this incredible hoopla had happened back then, but probably been unable to as I might not be able to now because every place I tried to order from, the flag is on back order. It seems to be in big demand for some reason.
Help me out…Thank you!