Iowa Representative Passes Pro-Christian Legislation, Urges Americans to "Worship Christ"
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Thu Dec 13, 2007 at 04:36:45 PM EST
On Tuesday, our brave US House passed HR 847 by a count of 327-9 recognizing "the importance of Christmas and the Christian Faith", because - really, these days - what else possibly deserves more of their attention?

The sponsor was Rep. Steve King (R-IA), who - as Think Progress reported - voted against similar legislation honoring holidays of other faiths. He then appeared on Fox News to explain the real reasoning behind this - I suppose - innocuous, if annoying bill. His actual intentions are of course far more expansive. Read on...

In more of a speech than an interview, King explained that his motivation was to uphold America's status as a "Christian nation."
It's time we stood up and said so, and said to the rest of America, Be who you are and be confident. And let's worship Christ and let's celebrate Christmas for the right reasons.
This is, of course, outrageous behavior from a sitting US Congressman. For one thing, it shows that his token recognition bill was really an attempt to encourage Americans - through legislation - to embrace the Christian faith. Second, it belies efforts to hide the common "Christian nation" remark behind claims of mere historicism. "We only mean that America was founded on Christian principles", they like to say, when called on it. But, when Rep. King says "America is a Christian nation", he's not making a statement about the past, or even really the present. He's prescribing his utopian future, and trying to do his part as a Congressman to make it happen. It's not just a (faulty) view of history; it's a plan.



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The treaty of Tripoli reads: As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion......

by Concerned on Thu Dec 13, 2007 at 08:51:35 PM EST

I would also ask him: HOW do you want people to "worship Christ"???

In your churches?  What about those who don't follow the western European ways?

The slippery slope has started.  We need to try to stop it before it gets too steep.

by ArchaeoBob on Thu Dec 13, 2007 at 09:53:54 PM EST

As an Eastern Orthodox Christian, this kind of stuff puzzles me and rather scares me.  If the 'Christian Right Fundy' movement gets more purchase, they will try to ease out anyone who disagrees with them in any spiritual, theological or political manner.  How I worship Christ is seen as idolatry by many Protestant Christians.  I'm sure they would like to smash my icons and smear whitewash on the beautiful frescos in our Orthodox churches if they could, and burn the relics of our saints. I've read some of their stuff and they are really mean. And they don't 'live and let live'. Their kind of 'Christianity' started with the Reformation. My kind has been around about 1000 years before that.

by rdrjames on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 11:35:05 PM EST
Parent


So, America has two authors of horror named Steven King. (Sorry. Couldn't resist.)

I hope a compelling opponent to Rep. King will be found, but it's a difficult district for any Democrat to run in. I attended college in what is a part of King's district (the 5th, created in 2001), and while both the area I lived in (the northwest corner of the state) and the new 5th district as a whole are very Republican, Iowa's congressional districts are drawn by the courts, not the legistlature, and can be competitive. Alas, Iowa's religious right is powerful. Americans may have Steve King around for a long time.

by IseFire on Fri Dec 14, 2007 at 10:08:40 AM EST


Rep. King's idea of an idyll would not be so good for women's reproductive freedom, and most likely not for unbelievers either.

by nogodsnomasters on Thu Dec 13, 2007 at 05:23:14 PM EST


by NancyP on Thu Dec 13, 2007 at 09:43:16 PM EST
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