Jack’s Winning Words 4/27/17
“All religions united with government are more or less inimical to liberty.  All, separated from government, are compatible with liberty.”  (Henry Clay)  Did you have to look up, inimical?  It means, harmful.  Now, reread Clay’s quote.  Even now SCOTUS is considering a case involving the separation of religion and government.  Many of our original immigrants fled to America to escape religious persecution.  A dominant religion isn’t always “nice.”    ;-)  Jack

FROM RS IN TEXAS:  Interesting observation by Henry.   I guess my stance would be that while no specific religion should be forced on people by government, the absence of a belief in and reverence to God is not good.  Since we took God out of the schools I believe the overall moral environment in our schools has suffered. We supposedly look to our elected representatives (government) as leaders and examples to follow.  These days I don't think there are many politicians that I would look to emulate based on their behavior.  Liberty is a great thing, but liberty without God is an empty, short lived benefit.  Our currency hopefully conveys our belief - In God We Trust."  In the end, just as we the people are the church, we the people are the government.  Now all we have to do is get back to compromising and getting along as opposed to having two adversarial parties who are against pretty much anything the other party believes in or does.====JACK:  The Constitution is pretty explicit in the Bill of Rights.  "Amendment I  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."  The "God thing" is a personal issue.  Each person is free to be, or not to be, godly, as one chooses...and not be forced by the government.  Some may not like it, but that's how the document reads.

FROM TARMART REV:  . . . recognizing none at all is an interesting thought as well. At least the Apostle could speak and persuade some while in Athens without being stoned and beaten . . . he had just come from being imprisoned in Philippi proclaiming the same. We never know what a day will bring being a Christ-follower nowadays!?====JACK:  Christians are meant to be leaven in the bread...in the world, but not of the world.  Through your broad-based chaplaincy, you are doing exactly that!

FROM TAMPA SHIRL:  America is great because America is good.  When America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.  Our country was built on Judeo Christian teachings, but we say to each his or her own unless they try to kill us.  It  is amazing that we, as teenagers during WW2, had such a different culture in which to grow up.====JACK:  I think that the idea of our country founded ad Judeo-Christian is somewhat of a fallacy.  Many of the founding fathers were Deists, rejecting the type of Christianity that they saw being practiced.  Probably the Constitution was most influenced by the Magna Carta, interpreted by some very "smart" individuals.  BTW, I don't think that the word, inimical, is in most vocabularies...at least not in mine.  We may know the meaning, but seldom, if ever, use the word.

FROM CZB IN NH:  Amen!  Oh wait.  Can I say that to a Pastor?====JACK:  I've heard worse.

FROM BLAZING OAKS:  As attested to in So America where the Roman Catholic leaders are pretty heavy handed in their leadership, as opposed to the countries where they are not such a powerful force. And many countries where the dominant religion is pervasively intolerant of any other!  If our churches were really doing their jobs, we wouldn't need religion in the schools, but as the old saying goes, "As long as there are tests or exams, there will be prayer in our schools"!  GOD BLESS AMERICA, may choice always be an option!====JACK:  There's such a diversity, even among Christians, in our country that I see it as an impossibility to teach religion in public schools.  Religion should be taught (or not taught) in the home, or in the place of worship.

FROM CHESTER THE GOOD:  It is easier to be honest. You don't have to remember what you said.
====JACK:  Are little white lies OK?