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Waging a crusade?; Stephen F. “The Onion” Kislock, III; Beaver County Times; December 28, 2011.
Most of Mr. Kislock’s 64+ letters over the last seven years have been Republican-bashing exercises, though he sometimes goes after Democrats for his pet causes. Sometime during 2009 Mr. Kislock became an in-house commentator for Beaver County Reds. Please follow this link to learn more about Beaver County Reds. You may also remember Mr. Kislock appears to believe “The Onion” is a real news source.
Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.
“American Christians are waging a crusade against the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.”
[RWC] As you read this letter, keep in mind Mr. Kislock has a history (going back to at least 2006) of having a problem with deity-based religion, or at least Christianity. Some examples are here, here, and here. In another letter, Mr. Kislock appeared to indicate he wanted “the Catholic Church … brought to its knees.” It’s not clear if Mr. Kislock also has a problem with the religion of atheism.
[Note to Mr. Kislock. The Bill of Rights (the first 10 amendments) is part of the Constitution. Thus, saying the “U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights” is redundant.]
“Somehow all the yelling and screaming from these right-wing Christian extremists have incited a crusade against the Founding Fathers’ desires of a secular United States.”
[RWC] “American Christians” are “right-wing Christian extremists?” When did a Nativity scene on public property become an example of extremism?
As for “the Founding Fathers’ desires of a secular United States,” are they the same Founding Fathers who took their oaths of office with their hand on a Bible and who began every session of Congress with a prayer? Except for 1855-1861, there’s been a Chaplain of the House since 1789. Likewise, the Senate has a chaplain. At the end of the chant beginning each Supreme Court session, the Marshal says, “God save the United States and this honorable court.”
When can we expect Mr. Kislock to complain about the feds recognizing Christmas Day and New Year’s Day (Mary, Mother of God holyday of obligation for Roman Catholics) with federal holidays and Pennsylvania for specifying Good Friday as an optional legal bank holiday?
“Secular, not religious, not connected with a church. Nowhere does it say you cannot practice your religion or go to your church. The government must not side with any one religion.”
[RWC] As for “Nowhere does it say you cannot practice your religion or go to your church,” that’s a huge understatement. As you’ll read below, the First Amendment says “Congress shall make no law … prohibiting the free exercise [of religion].” Further, the First Amendment doesn’t say “except ‘on government property or any property associated with government.’”
“The U.S. Supreme Court and it’s [sic] ‘Establishment Clause’ say neither a state nor federal government can set up a church. Neither can pass laws which aid one religion, aid all religions, or prefer one religion over another.”
[RWC] The “Establishment Clause” is not a Supreme-Court construct. The Establishment Clause is this portion of the First Amendment: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” You can find more in my critique of “Don’t force your belief on others.”
“The borough of Ellwood City shows preference for one religion over all others, by displaying a Nativity scene on government property. This is a direct violation of the law.”
[RWC] If Ellwood City government provides the Nativity scene and cares for it, that would be a problem. If a nongovernment group provides the Nativity scene and cares for it, I don’t see a problem.
“Can we just pick and choose which laws we want to obey?
“Some people want to. Do you also pick and choose what Commandments you will follow and which ones you will ignore?”
[RWC] I think Mr. Kislock is referring to the U.S. government picking and choosing which immigration laws it will enforce and which voter intimidation cases it will prosecute. <g>
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