All of us, at one time or another, manage to stumble into family controversies- I think it's part of the human condition, and perfectly normal. Some of us handle them better than others...
This one starts with an irritating email from the aunt I've told repeatedly to take me off her mass mail list. It said:
~~~ President Barack Obama said in Turkey : "We do not consider ourselves a Christian nation or a Jewish nation or a Muslim nation. We consider ourselves a nation of citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values." I found this very interesting. Do you know the Preamble for your state? . .
(more after the break-)
The full email:
President Barack Obama said in Turkey : "We do not consider ourselves a Christian nation or a Jewish nation or a Muslim nation. We consider ourselves a nation of citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values." I found this very interesting. Do you know the Preamble for your state? . .
HHHHMMMMMMMMMMM............................. Be sure to read the message at the bottom!
Alabama 1901, Preamble We the people of the State of Alabama , invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution.. Alaska 1956, Preamble We, the people of Alaska , grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land. Arizona 1911, Preamble We, the people of the State of Arizona , grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution... Arkansas 1874, Preamble We, the people of the State of Arkansas , grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government... California 1879, Preamble We, the People of the State of California , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom... Colorado 1876, Preamble We, the people of Colorado , with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe... Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy. Delaware 1897, Preamble Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences... Florida 1885, Preamble We, the people of the State of Florida , grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution... Georgia 1777, Preamble We, the people of Georgia , relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution... Hawaii 1959, Preamble We , the people of Hawaii , Grateful for Divine Guidance ... Establish this Constitution. Idaho 1889, Preamble We, the people of the State of Idaho , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings. Illinois 1870, Preamble We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil , political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors. Indiana 1851, Preamble We, the People of the State of Indiana , grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government. Iowa 1857, Preamble We, the People of the St ate of Iowa , grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings, establish this Constitution. Kansas 1859, Preamble We, the people of Kansas , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution. Kentucky 1891, Preamble.. We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties.. Louisiana 1921, Preamble We, the people of the State of Louisiana , grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy. Maine 1820, Preamble We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity .. And imploring His aid and direction. Maryland 1776, Preamble We, the people of the state of Maryland , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty... Massachusetts 1780, Preamble We...the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe In the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction Michigan 1908, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Michigan , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom, establish this Constitution. Minnesota, 1857, Preamble We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings: Mississippi 1890, Preamble We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.. Missouri 1845, Preamble We, the people of Missouri , with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness . Establish this Constitution... Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty establish this Constitution .. Nebraska 1875, Preamble We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom . Establish this Constitution. Nevada 1864, Preamble We the people of the State of Nevada , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, establish this Constitution... New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience. New Jersey 1844, Preamble We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors. New Mexico 1911, Preamble We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty.. New York 1846, Preamble We, the people of the State of New York , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings. North Carolina 1868, Preamble We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those... North Dakota 1889, Preamble We, the people of North Dakota , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain... Ohio 1852, Preamble We the people of the state of Ohio , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common. Oklahoma 1907, Preamble Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty, establish this Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance.... Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing... South Carolina , 1778, Preamble We, the people of he State of South Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution. South Dakota 1889, Preamble We, the people of South Dakota , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties ... Tennessee 1796, Art. XI..III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience... Texas 1845, Preamble We the People of the Republic of Texas , acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God. Utah 1896, Preamble Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution. Vermont 1777, Preamble Whereas all government ought to enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man .. Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other Washington 1889, Preamble We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution West Virginia 1872, Preamble Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God ... Wisconsin 1848, Preamble We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility... Wyoming 1890, Preamble We, the people of the State of Wyoming , grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties, establish this Constitution...
After reviewing acknowledgments of God from all 50 state constitutions, one is faced with the prospect that maybe, the ACLU and the out-of-control federal courts are wrong! If you found this to be 'Food for thought' send to as many as you think will be enlightened as I hope you were.
(Please note that at no time is anyone told that they MUST worship God.)
GOD BLESS AMERICA
(end of email)
I've about had it. I get this crap from all directions all the time. I get it from her often- I usually just delete, but this one... gee, wonder why they mentioned the federal courts? I had to respond, if only to educate the others on her mass mail list. So I hit 'reply all' and sent this:
>From the treaty of Tripoli:
Art. 11. As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.
Authored by American diplomat Joel Barlow in 1796, the treaty was sent to the floor of the Senate, June 7, 1797, where it was read aloud in its entirety and unanimously approved. John Adams, having seen the treaty, signed it and proudly proclaimed it to the Nation. (Worth noting that we have not lived up to those words.)
This nation was founded on freedom of religion for ALL- not just Christians. The Preamble for Oregon says:
Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences
The dictates of my conscience, not yours.
You also mention 'out of control Federal courts' and the ACLU. You offered no example- just that very wide accusation. Interestingly, the ACLU has always defended religious freedom, and I've seen no cases in the federal courts lately that I could say were out of control. Baseless accusations aren't going to make your case.
I'd also suggest turning off Fox. The hysteria isn't good for you.
(end my reply)
Ok, maybe a bit terse. But I thought it was clear, concise, and polite.
My aunt didn't. Ooohhhh, she didn't!
Here is her reply (and yes, she hit reply all...)
I figured this would put you in an uproar, but to each his/her own opinion.
Now I'm going to say something that may get your parents in an uproar too, but you know what, I don't care anymore. Your father and I had the same parents, but I also know that the counselor at his high school fed a lot of garbage into his head, and after that was very disrespectful to our parents, and it really hurt them, in my opinion. And I'm sure they are turning over in their graves to see some of their grandchildren basically turn away from God. I'm am sick and tired of your anti-God philosophy, because this is what you do anytime I send you something political, or Christian oriented. You always disagree, and that's your right, but I'm not going to sit here and take it anymore. So in the future, if I send you something, and you come back with something negative, expect something in return. Where in the world did you get your idea that the United States was not founded on Christian principles? Try reading the whole Constitution, and look on the money you spend. "In God We Trust". It was that idiotic Madiline Murray O'Hare, and a few other athiests, that have stirred up nothing but a bunch of trouble for those of us that do believe in God, as the Almighty Creator. Nobody said they had to believe in God, but for crying out loud, leave the rest of us the want to, and do, alone. I would suggest that you and some of your siblings get back to reading the Bible, and see where this world is headed because of all the corrupt politicians that have gotten into office, and yes, I mean our current president. The govenor of the state he is from is one of the head Mofia goons. And you wanted him for a president? In this case, I'm glad I'm not a US citizen. If I would've been, I rather would have voted for Mickey Mouse. Reread Oregon's Preamble, that all men have the right to worship the Almighty God, not that they neccesarily have to. But for Obama to say what he said, in my opinion, is unconstitutional, and he should not have said that. And all I can do is pray for him, that God will put the right people in his path, and for all in leadership of this country. I will be the first one to admit that there are all kinds of religions in the US, and that's the freedom each one has, but it doesn't mean they are right, and that all religions lead to heaven, because they don't. There is only One Way, and that is through the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son. And I don't hold a whole lot of stock in the ACLU either. My opinion, that union should be disbanned, and outlawed. There is nothing American, or Civil, about them. They are all for the liberal garbage. They haven't done a single thing for me, personnally.
You know what Laura, I really feel sorry for you, and your ideas, or shall I say ideals. I will put you on my prayer list, and for anyone else, I would ask you do the same. You're a smart young lady, and it's sad to see you putting all of your efforts in that direction.
Love and Prayers,
Aunt R***** This is stricktly my opinion, and not neccesarily that of others.
As a friend of mine would say, Great Ooogly-Moogly!
Do you think this was the last of it? Do bears use the Men's room at Macy's?
I let this sit in my inbox for two full days before replying. I was that mad. And then I wrote this (~ before my responses, just to sort them out):
~Greetings all;
I decided to let this sit for a couple of days before answering, and I hope my response reflects the time I've spent pondering the matter. Also, I must apologize in advance to those of you who aren't family and don't know me and don't know why you've been copied on this. Frankly, I don't know why you've been copied either. Sorry to clutter your inbox.
R****** wrote: > I figured this would put you in an uproar, but to each his/her own opinion.
~It does appear however, that my having an opinion has put you into an uproar. > > Now I'm going to say something that may get your parents in an uproar too, but you know what, I don't care anymore. Your father and I had the same parents, but I also know that the counselor at his high school fed a lot of garbage into his head, and after that was very disrespectful to our parents, and it really hurt them, in my opinion.
~I have absolutely not the foggiest idea what you are talking about. Whatever it is, it has absolutely nothing to do with this, and the fact that you would bring something that may or may not have happened, nearly 50 years ago, into the discussion and use it as a weapon says something very, very sad about you. Holding on to bitterness for 50 years is only the beginning of it.
~And there isn't one of us, including you, who hasn't done something to cause our parents heartache. It is the nature of parents and children, and really can't be avoided.
> And I'm sure they are turning over in their graves to see some of their grandchildren basically turn away from God. I'm am sick and tired of your anti-God philosophy
~Frankly, I think you are seriously overstepping here; you have not got a window into my soul, nor that of any of my siblings or cousins. I do NOT have an anti-God philosophy, and if you see it as such it is because of the narrowness of your own view.
> because this is what you do anytime I send you something political, or Christian oriented.
~No, I do it when you send what we call 'glurge'- the definition of which is best put by Snopes.com: > "Glurge (a term which can be used to describe one story or applied to the genre as a whole) is the body of inspirational tales which conceal much darker meanings than the uplifting moral lessons they purport to offer, and which undermine their messages by fabricating and distorting historical fact in the guise of offering "true stories." Glurge often contains such heart-tugging elements as sad-eyed puppies, sweet-faced children, angels, dying mothers, or miraculous rescues brought about by prayer. These stories are meant to be parables for modern times but fall far short of the mark. Our Glurge Gallery links to all the glurge any human could stand."
~Many of these fwded email you send are full of inaccuracies and flat-out falsehoods, bad theology, and sentiment that passes for patriotism but has no real value. We've had this conversation before.
> You always disagree, and that's your right, but I'm not going to sit here and take it anymore. So in the future, if I send you something, and you come back with something negative, expect something in return.
~As I said, we've had this conversation before.You know- as you have already said- that I will send back something that you do not like. Why then do you send them to me? What possible purpose can you have in sending them, if you know what response they will provoke? I can only guess that you have some obsessive passive-aggressive desire to poke at me from a distance.
~If you do not like my responses, the answer is as I have suggested before: Don't send me that sort of email!
> Where in the world did you get your idea that the United States was not founded on Christian principles?
~That is not what I said.
> Try reading the whole Constitution, and look on the money you spend. "In God We Trust".
~I know my Constitution VERY well, thank you very much. In fact I have a desk copy- it is perhaps 18" away from me as I type. As to our money- the money is meaningless. It has no force of statute or law, and proves nothing. We also have Masonic symbols on our money. I suppose that means we are a nation founded on Masonic principles?
> It was that idiotic Madiline Murray O'Hare
~O'Hare has been dead for many, many years. She has been out of the scene and uninvolved in public discourse for a very long time, except for those who want to beat that dead horse a few more times.
> and a few other athiests, that have stirred up nothing but a bunch of trouble for those of us that do believe in God, as the Almighty Creator. Nobody said they had to believe in God, but for crying out loud, leave the rest of us the want to, and do, alone.
~The please extend the same to them. No one is preventing you from attending church or reading your Bible. You are not oppressed.
> I would suggest that you and some of your siblings get back to reading the Bible
~You are assuming that we have abandoned it, and that assumption is wrong.
> and see where this world is headed because of all the corrupt politicians that have gotten into office, and yes, I mean our current president. The govenor of the state he is from is one of the head Mofia goons. And you wanted him for a president?
~That is COMPLETELY out of line. Rod Blagojevich has been removed from office, and rightly so. (He's as crooked as a cow path- everyone's known that- they just hadn't been able to catch him at it until the Senate seat came open.) He has nothing to do with the Mafia however, and that accusation only shows your ignorance of the matter. But his ethics, or lack of same, have no bearing on Barack Obama any more than on Dick Durbin, or any other of Illinois' Congressional representation.
~I don't believe that Obama is the messianic figure that some might make him out to be. He is a human being as has the same fallible nature as any of us. However, he is very well educated, thoughtful and deliberative, and he is working very hard to do the right thing for the American people in a very difficult time. I also believe that he is a thoroughly decent human being. Yes, I voted for him. I also was a volunteer during the campaign. And I would do it again.
> In this case, I'm glad I'm not a US citizen. If I would've been, I rather would have voted for Mickey Mouse.
~I think, then, that you have no real cause for complaint. In this country, the way we voice our opinions on our government is at the ballot box. It is your choice to not participate.
> Reread Oregon's Preamble, that all men have the right to worship the Almighty God, not that they neccesarily have to.
~This is assuming that they have your vision of God.
~Let me let you in on a little clue here. I'm a historian. My main field of study is the Middle Ages, but I have also done work in American history. I know where the bones are buried, so to speak.
~The settlers who came here from England in the 17th century came for various reasons; some as entrepreneurs, some looking for land of their own, some for religious reasons. The latter are the ones we usually think of- hardy Pilgrims coming to the new land for religious freedom. Except not quite- those coming from England came because they held to faith other than the Church of England (Anglican, here in the States we call them Episcopalians). They did not come for freedom, per se. They came to establish a community where their sect would be the official Church. The various early Colonies were a mish-mash of different sects. What was a legal religion in one might be outlawed in another. (Don't believe me? Read up about Ann Hutchinson or Roger Williams- they were both expelled from Massachusetts for failing to toe the Puritan party line.)
~The Founders (who signed the Declaration of Independence) and the Framers (those who helped draft the Constitution) were a very interesting group of men. They came from all walks of life, and all sorts of backgrounds, ethnic and religious. The greatest number of them were Episcopalians, and there were also Presbyterians, Congregationalists, a few Methodists, Lutherans, etc. There were also several Deists- among them George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin (though Franklin would occasionally cop to being basically agnostic).
~I have to explain here what 'Deism' is. Deism is a religious and philosophical belief that a supreme god created the universe, and that this and other religious truth can be determined using reason and observation of the natural world alone, without the need for faith. Deists generally reject the notion of divine interventions in human affairs - such as by miracles and revelations. It is a handy vague vision of God than excludes no one.
~Now, go back to the Colonies and their disparate religions. One of the difficulties in putting together any federation of the colonies was the religious issue. And this is why the various documents that stitch together our country refer only vaguely to a non-specific God. Because they are trying to avoid what we would now call a Balkanization along religious lines. By using the very vague Deistic references, they can go honor to God without invoking sectarian conflict. (Pretty smart guys, those Founders.)
~We have incredible freedom in this country. We have also grown, both in ways the Founders anticipated and ways they could not. There is an interesting quote from Jefferson as regarding Virginia:
"Where the preamble declares, that coercion is a departure from the plan of the holy author of our religion, an amendment was proposed by inserting "Jesus Christ," so that it would read "A departure from the plan of Jesus Christ, the holy author of our religion;" the insertion was rejected by the great majority, in proof that they meant to comprehend, within the mantle of its protection, the Jew and the Gentile, the Christian and Mohammedan, the Hindoo and Infidel of every denomination."
-Thomas Jefferson, Autobiography, in reference to the Virginia Act for Religious Freedom
~None of that is in opposition to the Constitution, none of it is in opposition to the Bible or Christianity.
> But for Obama to say what he said, in my opinion, is unconstitutional, and he should not have said that.
~No, I just addressed that, and it is most assuredly not unconstitutional. In fact, he nearly quoted Jefferson.
> And all I can do is pray for him, that God will put the right people in his path, and for all in leadership of this country.
~Then do so. But do not expect that you can know what God will do, or that you know what is best, or that your opinions correspond with God's.
> I will be the first one to admit that there are all kinds of religions in the US, and that's the freedom each one has, but it doesn't mean they are right, and that all religions lead to heaven, because they don't. There is only One Way, and that is through the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son.
~That is your right, to hold that opinion. And it is equally their right to believe that you are wrong.
> And I don't hold a whole lot of stock in the ACLU either. My opinion, that union should be disbanned, and outlawed. There is nothing American, or Civil, about them. They are all for the liberal garbage.
~And that I must vehemently disagree with. They are there to uphold our Civil Rights, and I do not believe that you have made an unbiased examination of them. They have in fact worked very hard to uphold your rights to free exercise of your religion. They defend Christians who have been discriminated against too. Their defense is based strictly on the rights extended and protected by the Constitution. Sometimes they do things people don't like (like making sure that brown people get to vote too), but if you've been beaten by a cop and your car searched without cause, they're the best ones to turn to for help.
> They haven't done a single thing for me, personnally. ~That you know of. Has it never occurred to you that their work in immigration rights benefits you? Or their work in workplace right for women? How about medical privacy? Or marriage and divorce law?
> You know what Laura, I really feel sorry for you, and your ideas, or shall I say ideals.
~I'm sorry you feel that way. I don't feel sorry for my ideals- they are hard won. I am not ashamed to be a liberal. It comes from the same root as the word free, and freedom is what the nation is built on. Some of the definitions of liberal are progressive, broad-minded, unprejudiced, beneficent, charitable, openhanded, munificent, unstinting. It is in no small part that liberal values urge me to follow the model Jesus gave- caring for the poor, protecting the defenseless, giving to the needy.
~And I still suggest turning off the Fox. Turn it off, pick up a book. I suggest a good place to start is with Joseph J. Ellis. Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation (2002). It won a Pulitzer. Not bad.
~And for the record, when I attend church, it is Episcopalian, with James.
~Thanks for reading so far, everyone! Get yourself a cookie! You've earned it!
Laura
I will admit to strident. I will admit to being a teeny bit harsh. And I will admit that I'm still very angry. And even angrier now that my Mom (former sister-in-law to said aunt) who says that R*****s emails are dumb and I should just delete them and I owe her an apology. I disagreed and told Mom so (you have no idea how hard this was- I'm 44 and I'm still feeling sick to my stomach for telling Mom no), because while I had gently rebutted R*****s stoopid email, she replied personally and viciously. I feel that I was as polite as need be but I couldn't just stand there and let her tell the world that I was a God-hating librul scum. She insulted Mom and Dad too while she was at it, and that irked me, as they hadn't been involved.
So now here I am, at 4 in the morning, feeling way nauseous and a little wobbly. This is really the first time I've stuck up for myself in family public, and I'm quaking in my boots. Did I do the right thing? Did I respond too angrily? I really tried to tone it down. Mom said I was flaunting my education too much too. For Pete's sake, I should get it and not use it?
So... am I a good kitty, or a bad kitty? Gimme some tuna, plz!
EDIT: WOWWW!!! I've never been on the Recommended List before! The air is thinner up here... must.have.oxygen... anyway, many thanks to all who commented or recommended- the support has me feeling MUCH better about this! This place rox my sox!
UPDATE: Oh.My.God! You will not believe this! I just received this note from my aunt:
Dear Laura,
I apologize for sending you that frwd. I shouldn't have.
I concede to your knowledge on historical events.
Sincerely,
Aunt R
My reply was simple:
That could not have been an easy note to write. Thank you for your courage. I accept your apology.
Laura
Wow. Just Wow.
UPDATE 2:
Yes, I am quite aware that she apologized only for sending the initial email, and not for her later personal attack. Baby steps- it's a start and I'm not going to knock it. I'll have to wait and see if any more comes from her.
My mom however, is really cheezed at me, and she thinks that it is I who owe the apology. And apparently this is in part because Auntie was kind to us in the past. WTF?!? I am honestly getting mad at my mom, and I am more likely to slip and be rude here. So I'm trying really hard not to respond to her. But it's hard.
Dad on the other hand called me long distance from Texas to give me an attagirl. He hates my politics but apparently approves of what I wrote and he says he can't fault my history. Score one for me I guess.
I had honestly not had even the flightiest fantasy that I would end up on the rec list with more than 700 comments! All I can say now is Thanks, and tata for a bit- I wasn't able to sleep at all after writing the big response to my aunt, and I've been up for something like 28 hours... I've got to catch some zzzzs... :-)