http://wreg.com/2018/04/05/move-to-declare-that-god-is-the-source-of-liberty-advances/


"NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A resolution that would change the Tennessee Constitution to say that God is the source of liberty for the state’s citizens is gaining momentum.

The House passed the measure last year and it will go before a full Senate vote after clearing a judiciary committee this week.

One of the main sponsors of the House joint resolution is Rep. Micah Van Huss, a Republican from Jonesborough.

Van Huss is proposing that the state constitution say, “We recognize that our liberties do not come from governments, but from Almighty God.”

Amending the Tennessee constitution is a lengthy process. Proposed changes must pass by a majority during one two-year General Assembly, and then pass by at least two-thirds in the next, and then be approved by voters in a gubernatorial election year."

Wasting taxpayers money to end up being overturned in court. Are these guys trying to knock Utah off the top of the pile with stupid religious messages?

And once they officially declare that their liberties come directly from god and not the government, they will quickly use that god given liberty to strip the liberties from everyone they can.

Which god?
Zeus?
Marduk?
Yahweh?

I mean, geez, if you're gonna ignore the establishment clause, at least be specific!

Bingo. Don't agree with them? Well, no liberty for THAT view.

Meanwhile in Alabama, two candidates have frequent TV commercials trying to get votes for lieutenant governor.

One is a guy holding a Bible saying all answers are in "this book" then he proceeds to talk about guns and how he will standup to liberals attacking Christian values and marriage. Apparently no one is allowed to have any other values. (His "qualification" is that he is a Youth Pastor.) It shows him going to church.

The other is a woman who opens her campaign commercial by announcing they have prayer in their car every morning. See all her Christian efficiency?

Good old Roy Moore is busy suing the women who accused him of being a mall creep. He won't go away.

I got an ad in the mail telling me to notify our new Senator (the pseudo Democrat) to support Trump and vote for the Sec. of State. Apparently they don't trust the guy to vote Republican enough.

Honestly, the way people advertise their qualifications or business is to try to out-Christian the other Christians.

Making statements about being Christian is some kind of dog whistle message around here. There is no separation of church and state here if they have their way.

"...no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States."

US Constitution, Article VI, Section 3

Yeah, now if we could only get the voters to see it that way.

But if they put that statement in their constitution (a government document), isn't the government giving them the liberty, to declare that God gave them the liberty, that the government just gave them?????

...and around and around we go!

Yes. The Tennessee resolution is either redundant--God gave the liberties, therefore they already exist--or it is a logical circle.

Thus conservative Christians in the legislature authorize the government to authorize God to give liberty to the citizens of Tennessee. . .

. . . so that conservative Christians are at liberty to deprive other citizens of their liberties.

Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration states, “We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness….”

Sounds like he believed that the rights came from God. Shouldn't be a shock to anyone that it is still a belief many hold dear.

I agree fully.

Two caveats, however. First, Thomas Jefferson was a deist; he did not believe in an interventionist God. So when he said the rights came from God, he did not mean that in the same way as the theistic believers in Tennessee. Second, Jefferson was among those who wanted the state out of the religion business and therefore would presumably have objected now, as he did then, to the inclusion of such a sentiment in a constitution.

But yes, it is understandable that people believe their rights came from God and there is nothing wrong with their holding that belief per se.

Believing your rights came from "god" and making a law that says they do are two different things.

And I guess I should point out that the Declaration of Independence -- addressed to a king who believed he ruled by god's will -- is not part of US law, and never has been...:)

I declare Tennessee the state that put the hick in hickory.

God might give it to him but man will surely take it away (if he beats God to it).

If that's the case, shouldn't all people everywhere and in all ages be equally free? Silly me...

I guess, if you take the "rights come from god" premise seriously, you'd have to admit (given your point) that men who deny humans rights are more powerful than "god."

Oops. :)

How about this:

Everyone who asserts that God, and not government, is the author
of liberty must call upon God, and not government, when their
liberty is infringed. That means praying instead of calling the
cops when someone breaks into your house, or steals your car.
That means praying instead of suing when someone rips you off.