Pious Proclamation Panned: Iowa's Governor Goes Around The Bend With Bible-Touting Document
Rob Boston printable version print page     Bookmark and Share
Fri Jun 10, 2016 at 10:30:24 AM EST

Some elected officials have a bad habit of releasing official proclamations lauding the Bible, Christianity or religion generally.

We at Americans United find these proclamations to be extremely annoying, but judges have not been very sympathetic to efforts to try to block them in court. They usually say that these proclamations are just suggestions that don't require anyone to do anything and therefore they pass constitutional muster.

Rubbish. When government officials pass religious proclamations, they are taking a stand on theology. They are saying, on behalf of the entire citizenry, that a certain religion (and guess what, it's pretty much always Christianity) or a certain religious book (yep, always the Bible) is worthy of study and veneration. That's not the job of government.

Because the courts have fallen down on their duty here, these proclamations just get worse and worse. If the mayor or governor is a fundamentalist Christian zealot, things can get really bad.

Consider, for example, a recent proclamation issued by Gov. Terry Branstad of Iowa that many have criticized. It celebrates an upcoming Bible-reading marathon in the state and encourages "individuals and families in Iowa to read through the Bible on a daily basis each year until the Lord comes."

Elsewhere, the proclamation asserts that the United States was "founded upon biblical principles" and asserts that the Bible "is recognized as the one true revelation from God, showing the way of Salvation, Truth and Life...." It goes on to claim that the answers to problems like crime, social injustice and drug abuse "can be found within God's revealed will for mankind...." (Because everybody agrees with these statements, right?)

Questioned about this evangelistic document by the Des Moines Register, Branstad feigned surprise that anyone would be offended since he's just asking people to pray. Actually, it's not his job to tell people to pray, but of course the proclamation does much more than that. In fact, the word "pray" doesn't appear anywhere in it. The document lauds the Bible, more specifically, a fundamentalist interpretation of that book, and is studded with bad history and far-right theology.

Let's try a thought experiment: Imagine if a governor in another state issued a proclamation like this: "WHEREAS L. Ron Hubbard's Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, has inspired millions and improved the lives of countless people across the globe, I hereby urge all men, women and children of the state to read this book and apply its principles to their daily lives and furthermore to connect to an e-meter to remove engrams generated by traumatic past-life experiences with the goal of becoming clear."

What are the chances that Branstad, if asked, would follow suit? Slim to none, I'd say. Yet why not? After all, it's just a suggestion.


 





Display:
Thank you for sharing this article. It's very helpful for me.
instagram

by tadobre on Wed Jul 19, 2017 at 05:56:42 AM EST

Documents are necessary and you should need to prepare it from time to time as well. The bestessays.com writers will help you by providing samples and some quick formats for these documents as well. I hope it will help you.

by Neon366 on Sat Nov 23, 2019 at 04:37:43 AM EST

In every country, we find some great Governor who know how to handle national issues. The hiscopes.com/best-spotting-scopes-reviews/ share the history behind this city in a country.

by Neon38 on Tue Dec 17, 2019 at 06:29:30 AM EST

A good blog always comes-up with new and exciting information and while reading I have feel that this blog is really have all those quality that qualify a blog to be a one plumber in dallas texas

by lifetime on Sun Dec 20, 2020 at 04:58:19 AM EST

Writing with style and getting good compliments on the article is quite hard, to be honest.But you've done it so calmly and with so cool feeling and you've nailed the job. This article is possessed with style and I am giving good compliment. Best! seo for plumbers

by lifetime on Sun Dec 20, 2020 at 07:15:06 AM EST

I can see that you are an expert at your field! I am launching a website soon, and your information will be very useful for me.. Thanks for all your help and wishing you all the success in your business. backflow service allegheny county

by lifetime on Sun Dec 20, 2020 at 07:23:22 AM EST

I see some amazingly important and kept up to length of your strength searching for in your on the site Daniel Gordon GLD Partners donation

by lifetime on Wed Dec 23, 2020 at 06:44:45 AM EST

You actually make it look so easy with your performance but I find this matter to be actually something which I think I would never comprehend. It seems too complicated and extremely broad for me. I'm looking forward for your next post, I'll try to get the hang of it! Daniel Gordon

by lifetime on Wed Dec 23, 2020 at 06:48:30 AM EST

This is also a very good post which I really enjoy reading. It is not everyday that I have the possibility to see something like this. Andrea Natale cardiologist

by lifetime on Wed Dec 23, 2020 at 06:50:05 AM EST

I read that Post and got it fine and informative. Please share more like that... Ross Levinsohn Maven CEO

by lifetime on Wed Dec 23, 2020 at 06:51:41 AM EST

A debt of gratitude is in order for giving late reports with respect to the worry, I anticipate read more. Aluminium ramen

by lifetime on Sat Feb 06, 2021 at 09:10:41 AM EST

Always so interesting to visit your site.What a great info, thank you for sharing. this will help me so much in my learning Ramen Leuven

by lifetime on Sat Feb 06, 2021 at 09:19:07 AM EST

It's very informative and you are obviously very knowledgeable in this area. You have opened my eyes to varying views on this topic with interesting and solid content. Beste zonnepanelen

by lifetime on Sat Feb 06, 2021 at 09:22:02 AM EST

this blog was really great, never seen a great blog like this before. i think im gonna share this to my friends.. Webdesign Limburg

by lifetime on Sat Feb 06, 2021 at 09:25:30 AM EST

Well we really like to visit this site, many useful information we can get here. Vakantiewoning

by lifetime on Sat Feb 06, 2021 at 09:28:35 AM EST

Your music is amazing. You have some very talented artists. I wish you the best of success. Webdesign

by lifetime on Sat Feb 06, 2021 at 09:31:57 AM EST

I'm happy I located this blog! From time to time, students want to cognitive the keys of productive literary essays composing. Your first-class knowledge about this good post can become a proper basis for such people. nice one Airco

by lifetime on Sat Feb 06, 2021 at 09:35:25 AM EST

I think this is a standout amongst the most critical data for me. What"s more, i"m happy perusing your article. Be that as it may, ought to comment on some broad things Beste zonnepanelen merken

by lifetime on Sat Feb 06, 2021 at 09:37:53 AM EST

Thanks for posting this info. I just want to let you know that I just check out your site and I find it very interesting and informative. I can't wait to read lots of your posts. PVC ramen

by lifetime on Sat Feb 06, 2021 at 09:40:36 AM EST

I have read your excellent post. This is a great job. I have enjoyed reading your post first time. I want to say thanks for this post. Thank you... Leadgeneratie

by lifetime on Sat Feb 06, 2021 at 09:44:19 AM EST


WWW Talk To Action


Cognitive Dissonance & Dominionism Denial
There is new research on why people are averse to hearing or learning about the views of ideological opponents. Based on evaluation of five......
By Frederick Clarkson (374 comments)
Will the Air Force Do Anything To Rein In Its Dynamic Duo of Gay-Bashing, Misogynistic Bloggers?
"I always get nervous when I see female pastors/chaplains. Here is why everyone should as well: "First, women are not called to be pastors,......
By Chris Rodda (195 comments)
The Legacy of Big Oil
The media is ablaze with the upcoming publication of David Grann's book, Killers of the Flower Moon. The shocking non fiction account of the......
By wilkyjr (110 comments)
Gimme That Old Time Dominionism Denial
Over the years, I have written a great deal here and in other venues about the explicitly theocratic movement called dominionism -- which has......
By Frederick Clarkson (101 comments)
History Advisor to Members of Congress Completely Twists Jefferson's Words to Support Muslim Ban
Pseudo-historian David Barton, best known for his misquoting of our country's founders to promote the notion that America was founded as a Christian nation,......
By Chris Rodda (113 comments)
"Christian Fighter Pilot" Calls First Lesbian Air Force Academy Commandant a Liar
In a new post on his "Christian Fighter Pilot" blog titled "BGen Kristin Goodwin and the USAFA Honor Code," Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan......
By Chris Rodda (144 comments)
Catholic Right Leader Unapologetic about Call for 'Death to Liberal Professors' -- UPDATED
Today, Donald Trump appointed C-FAM Executive Vice President Lisa Correnti to the US Delegation To UN Commission On Status Of Women. (C-FAM is a......
By Frederick Clarkson (126 comments)
Controlling Information
     Yesterday I listened to Russ Limbaugh.  Rush advised listeners it would be best that they not listen to CNN,MSNBC, ABC, CBS and......
By wilkyjr (118 comments)
Is Bannon Fifth-Columning the Pope?
In December 2016 I wrote about how White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, who likes to flash his Catholic credentials when it comes to......
By Frank Cocozzelli (250 comments)
Ross Douthat's Hackery on the Seemingly Incongruous Alliance of Bannon & Burke
Conservative Catholic writer Ross Douthat has dissembled again. This time, in a February 15, 2017 New York Times op-ed titled The Trump Era's Catholic......
By Frank Cocozzelli (64 comments)
`So-Called Patriots' Attack The Rule Of Law
Every so often, right-wing commentator Pat Buchanan lurches out of the far-right fever swamp where he has resided for the past 50 years to......
By Rob Boston (161 comments)
Bad Faith from Focus on the Family
Here is one from the archives, Feb 12, 2011, that serves as a reminder of how deeply disingenuous people can be. Appeals to seek......
By Frederick Clarkson (176 comments)
The Legacy of George Wallace
"One need not accept any of those views to agree that they had appealed to real concerns of real people, not to mindless, unreasoning......
By wilkyjr (70 comments)
Betsy DeVos's Mudsill View of Public Education
My Talk to Action colleague Rachel Tabachnick has been doing yeoman's work in explaining Betsy DeVos's long-term strategy for decimating universal public education. If......
By Frank Cocozzelli (80 comments)
Prince and DeVos Families at Intersection of Radical Free Market Privatizers and Religious Right
This post from 2011 surfaces important information about President-Elect Trump's nominee for Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos. -- FC Erik Prince, Brother of Betsy......
By Rachel Tabachnick (218 comments)

Respect for Others? or Political Correctness?
The term "political correctness" as used by Conservatives and Republicans has often puzzled me: what exactly do they mean by it? After reading Chip Berlin's piece here-- http://www.talk2action.org/story/2016/7/21/04356/9417 I thought about what he explained......
MTOLincoln (253 comments)
Fear
What I'm feeling now is fear.  I swear that it seems my nightmares are coming true with this new "president".  I'm also frustrated because so many people are not connecting all the dots! I've......
ArchaeoBob (107 comments)
"America - love it or LEAVE!"
I've been hearing that and similar sentiments fairly frequently in the last few days - far FAR more often than ever before.  Hearing about "consequences for burning the flag (actions) from Trump is chilling!......
ArchaeoBob (211 comments)
"Faked!" Meme
Keep your eyes and ears open for a possible move to try to discredit the people openly opposing Trump and the bigots, especially people who have experienced terrorism from the "Right"  (Christian Terrorism is......
ArchaeoBob (165 comments)
More aggressive proselytizing
My wife told me today of an experience she had this last week, where she was proselytized by a McDonald's employee while in the store. ......
ArchaeoBob (163 comments)
See if you recognize names on this list
This comes from the local newspaper, which was conservative before and took a hard right turn after it was sold. Hint: Sarah Palin's name is on it!  (It's also connected to Trump.) ......
ArchaeoBob (169 comments)
Unions: A Labor Day Discussion
This is a revision of an article which I posted on my personal board and also on Dailykos. I had an interesting discussion on a discussion board concerning Unions. I tried to piece it......
Xulon (156 comments)
Extremely obnoxious protesters at WitchsFest NYC: connected to NAR?
In July of this year, some extremely loud, obnoxious Christian-identified protesters showed up at WitchsFest, an annual Pagan street fair here in NYC.  Here's an account of the protest by Pagan writer Heather Greene......
Diane Vera (130 comments)
Capitalism and the Attack on the Imago Dei
I joined this site today, having been linked here by Crooksandliars' Blog Roundup. I thought I'd put up something I put up previously on my Wordpress blog and also at the DailyKos. As will......
Xulon (329 comments)
History of attitudes towards poverty and the churches.
Jesus is said to have stated that "The Poor will always be with you" and some Christians have used that to refuse to try to help the poor, because "they will always be with......
ArchaeoBob (148 comments)
Alternate economy medical treatment
Dogemperor wrote several times about the alternate economy structure that dominionists have built.  Well, it's actually made the news.  Pretty good article, although it doesn't get into how bad people could be (have been)......
ArchaeoBob (90 comments)
Evidence violence is more common than believed
Think I've been making things up about experiencing Christian Terrorism or exaggerating, or that it was an isolated incident?  I suggest you read this article (linked below in body), which is about our great......
ArchaeoBob (214 comments)

More Diaries...




All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective companies. Comments, posts, stories, and all other content are owned by the authors. Everything else © 2005 Talk to Action, LLC.