Using Religion For Politics

The following is a letter printed in the Livonia Observer, regarding HR 598 - "Supporting the goals of the Ten Commandments Commission and congratulating such Commission and its supporters for their key role in promoting and ensuring recognition of the Ten Commandments as the cornerstone of Western law."

Using religion for politics

Chris Torres' letter in the April 17 edition of the Observer concerning Rep. McCotter's proposed HR 598 (Ten Commandments acknowledgement) requires comment; comment from an opposing, yet religious, point of view.

Politics is an ugly business. Religion is a beautiful one. So when a politician audaciously attempts to use religion to advance his political agenda, citizens should be outraged. HR598 is one of those attempts. It is a transparent effort to pander to McCotter's socially conservative base; to convince these good people that he and his party are men of God and, by extension, his opponents are heathen secularists, never to be trusted.

I, for one, find the manipulation of religion, its symbols, and its sacred writings for political gain offensive and a direct attack upon our religious freedom.

Contrary to the text of HR 598, no one -- less the most cynical political manipulator -- perceives the Ten Commandments as anything but a religious document. And no one -- less the most disingenuous purveyor of pseudo history -- believes our government and judicial system is based upon them. So why is Rep. McCotter, a well-known student of history, attempting to sully a religious document with our secular government's seal of approval? I'm sure he's got an answer if you can cut through his political double-speak.

The Decalogue is a meaningful and sacred guide for billions of Christians and Jews. It should never be used as a means to grease the path for anyone's re-election. That's why I'm outraged and you should be, too.

Hal Downs

Livonia

This is the original letter Mr. Downs references:

Celebrate Ten Commandments

House Resolution 598 introduced by Rep. Todd Akin of Missouri and co-sponsored by Rep. Thaddeus McCotter would support the Ten Commandments Commission's (TCC) goals of celebrating the Ten Commandments and work for Reconciliation among nations and ethnic groups.

Hats off to Representatives McCotter and Akin. I am always amazed at the ferocity in such groups as the ACLU and their ilk to engineer ways of dismantling any clear articulation of laws in which so much of society endorse and embrace as constructive and positive. Do the majority of citizens approve of such deeds as lying, stealing, adultery or murder that laws against them should be hidden? Do the majority of citizens not desire children to honor and respect their parents? Does the greater populace of Americans counsel their neighbors to envy and covet each other's property and things? And even if the atheist believes in no God, does the God of any other religion (most of whom all incorporate the virtues of the Ten Commandments) prohibit him from worshiping his non-existent God? Do the Sabbath Days belong to the atheist and agnostic alone? Is his assembling prohibited?

It is time for Americans to begin assessing their religious beliefs in light of their politics. I would argue that many of the supporters and participants of the ACLU and their ilk, are not half so concerned as to the words inscribed on the tablets of the Ten Commandments as they are filthy lucre they will incur (your tax dollar to be sure) when bringing such cases as the issue of displaying the Ten Commandments to the courts.

Ah, the delicious sound of the taxpayer coin as it plunks and piles into the bank accounts of trial lawyers and their ilk. There is one political party you can guarantee "covets" your tax dollars. Some politicians might even learn to stop defiling their marriage bed if they would take a moment to consider the significance of the Ten Commandments.

Aught we not to celebrate the Ten Commandments instead of hiding them.

Chris Torres

Livonia

Mr. Downs is spot-on in his assessments that those sponsors of this bill are achieving nothing other than pandering to a conservative base in their districts, rather than focusing on real issues that matter. Downs is right to call this out for what it is: manipulative. Note that the letter from the supporter, Mr. Torres, immediately tries to drag the ACLU's name into the discussion - knowing the response that would trigger. He also - as Downs accurately notes - tries to paint those opposed to this mixing of religion and politics as heathen secularists, in favor of "lying, stealing, adultery or murder."

Yes, much of our nation's culture and laws are based in some way on Christian belief systems. I myself am rather Agnostic and non-religious, yet I find that Christian teachings - including the Ten Commandments - provide a generally good moral compass. However, it is most certainly not the place of Congress to spend its time on such inconsequential matters as this resolution.

This is the kind of divisive, manipulative politician Thaddeus McCotter is. Looking out for himself, and not his constituents.