Anti-separation amendment advances in Virginia.In early February, the Virginia House of Delegates The Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the Virginia General Assembly. It has 100 members elected for terms of two years; unlike most states, these elections take place during odd-numbered years. passed a constitutional amendment that would allow for government-sanctioned prayer and other religious displays in public schools and other public buildings. The proposal, HJ 537, would alter the state's constitution to "permit the exercise of religious expression, including prayer and 'religious beliefs, heritage, and traditions' on public property, including public schools...." The Virginia delegates passed the measure by a 69-27 vote, sending it to the Senate for consideration. (Both houses of the legislature must pass amendments in two consecutive sessions before they are placed on the ballot.) Del. Charles W. Carrico Sr., (R-Grayson) argued that the amendment was needed to help ease alleged oppression of Christians in the public square. "America was founded on Christian beliefs," said Carrico. "Christianity is the majority faith in this country and yet because the minority has said, 'I'm offended of·fend v. of·fend·ed, of·fend·ing, of·fends v.tr. 1. To cause displeasure, anger, resentment, or wounded feelings in. 2. ,' we are being told to keep silent." Americans United for Separation of Church and State Americans United for Separation of Church and State (Americans United or AU for short) is a religious freedom advocacy group in the United States which promotes the separation of church and state, a legal doctrine seen by the AU as being enshrined in the Establishment lambasted the Virginia delegates' action and urged the state Senate to derail de·rail intr. & tr.v. de·railed, de·rail·ing, de·rails 1. To run or cause to run off the rails. 2. the measure. "The Virginia delegates who are pushing this scheme have a shockingly ill-informed understanding of religious freedom," said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn Reverend Barry W. Lynn (born 1948 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania) has been the Executive Director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State since 1992.[1] , executive director of Americans United, in a press statement regarding the vote. "This amendment would open a Pandora's box Pandora’s box contained all evils; opened up, evils escape to afflict world. [Rom. Myth.: Brewer Dictionary, 799] See : Evil of religious liberty problems. It is imperative for the Senate to reject this unwise plan." |
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