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A Picture of the Future?
Washington Governor Gregoire has proclaimed June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Month (LGBT). To acknowledge this, the agency-wide LGBT Display Planning Committee (a subgroup of the agency Multicultural Committee) has developed and installed displays on the subject throughout the Tumwater, WA and Kent, WA campuses.
The displays include:
Health disparities issues among LGBT people (Kent, Point Plaza East, and Town Center 2).
"Love Makes a Family" display, which exhibits portraits of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender families (Town Center 1 employee lobby).
A timeline history of LGBT rights set in the context of the struggle for other human rights (Town Center 1 hallway).
At each display site there will be individual copies of a story about the Danish response to Nazi oppression during World War II with a pink triangle attached; people are encouraged to take one, read the story, and wear the triangle.
Monthly recognition events reinforce cultural competency learning. Such events help broaden staff understanding of multicultural communities experiencing high levels of health disparities. In conjunction with cultural competency training, these events help change basic understanding, attitudes, and behaviors, and provide staff an opportunity to meet the spirit and intent of becoming culturally competent — one of the agency’s core competencies.
Agency members have been encouraged to "take time to visit the displays to learn more. Feel free to bring family members, friends, and/or co-workers from other agencies for a walk through the displays. There are composition books for comments at each site."
32 Comments:
So what?! They serve all Washingtonians. They should know about them to better serve them.
Picture of the future? Of course. If they put up a pictorial in 1940 displaying pictures of interracial partners and their families, you small minded mud slingers would have gone just as nuts as you are now.
How many times did legislation pass stating a black man could not marry a white woman? Now these laws are defunct, passed over by the Civil Rights Amendment. For your group to say that this is not a civil rights issue is ridiculous. What else is it?
Being a straight, white, 40ish man, I understand the initial reaction to these types of images. They do not mesh with what is considered to be typical. Neither did interracial marriage in the 40s. After looking at the situation from both sides I started asking myself a few questions.
• Does a marriage between two people of the same sex diminish the love I feel for my own family? No.
• Does a marriage between two people of the same sex harm myself or others? No.
• Does a marriage between two people of the same sex mean my marriage is any less valid? No.
What’s so important about the word marriage? I know if we don’t call the union between two people of the same sex a marriage a whole host of laws will need to be rewritten to enable these people to have the same rights as married people. Frankly the government lackeys already spend too much time rewriting laws. If we call it a marriage, it’s done. No more banter.
What are these rights?
• The right to speak for your loved one when they cannot speak for themselves
• The right to hospital visits
• The transference of property after the death of a spouse
• The right to take time off work to care for your loved one when they are ill
These are simply overlooked unless you are in the situation. OK, being gay is not your thing. The idea of two men kissing is distasteful, fine. But these are still people, people who love each other as much as you love your own spouse.
It’s time to grow up America.
You mean the display doesn't include a bunch of bigots fighting tooth and nail to hold on to discrimination?
That's not a picture of the future. That's a snapshot of the present.
No wonder it scares the bedazzle out of them.
Gary Randall thank you for all your hard work on referendum 65. Picture of the future does not surprize me, it saddens me, that our children will have to grow up in such a perverse society. Christine Gregoire is pushing an agenda, an agenda that leaves God out, we just have to make sure we continue to hold up our moral Christian values in these sad times. God Bless.
Faith and Freedom,
We have been reading your reports regularly and appreciate that your news is exactly that, a report of what is happening. Not once has there been any "mud slinging".
It is amazing to see the hostile and intolerant reactions to mere facts. To have a different view point is anyones right but one should also get their facts correct.
To compare a lifestyle of choice to a race is a very misguided and unfactual comparison. African Americans, were not born with a choice of the color of their skin and the injustices perpetrated against them were horrific. Choice is not a civil rights issue.
No one is being discriminated against as far as rights for hospital visits, transfer of property or medical directives. Just check with any attorney. Anyone can have legal paperwork written for exactly these purposes.
The point about the marriage of a white woman and a black man is well taken...it was a "marriage", between one man and one woman. The basis of every known culture for thousands of years.
Do not stop proclaiming the truth and protecting our freedoms.
it saddens me, that our children will have to grow up in such a perverse society.
And there you have it, folks. If you needed any more proof of the bizarro world that these Christian in name only people live in, check out the above quote. She's actually calling an environment in which civil rights have been enhanced the mark of a "perverse society."
Christine Gregoire is pushing an agenda, an agenda that leaves God out
It also leaves out Mohamed, Great Spirit, Buddha and the Flying Spaghetti Monster. I'm thinking it has to do with government service representing ALL citizens. Last time I checked, government did not have a my-god-is-better-than-your-god promotion clause.
we just have to make sure we continue to hold up our moral Christian values in these sad times.
Oh, for the love of your God, stop carrying on like Wednesday's new laws included church burning and Bible shredding.
do not stop proclaiming the truth and telling news like it is and thank you for protecting our freedoms, Gary Randall
It is wrong to teach the Hitler way of life before world war 11 many people faught and died to protect the flag and our freedoms that we have today
Marriage should be between one man and one woman no civil unions
'Protecting our freedoms'? Freedom to discriminate? Freedom to preach hate? Freedom to legislate bigotry?
When you quote the Old Testament regarding homosexuality, you take it out of context. When you quote the New Testament, you take it out of context. Proof-texting isn't a valid way to underpin any argument.
Prove that homosexuality is a choice; if it is a choice, it's one any heterosexual can make, just like the choice you made to be heterosexual and be attracted to the opposite gender. If heterosexuality is innate, then homosexuality is as well. If homosexuality is a choice, then heterosexuality is as well.
Hormel doesn't make spam as good as that ;)
But your links have me curious - this one for example:
http://www.renewamerica.us/readings/principles.htm
Referencing the Deist Creator of the Declaration of Independence many times, it even recognizes this principle:
...and to assist one another in striving for happiness.
But this latest campaign to try and justify intolerance is the exact opposite of that. And the holy texts of the Deist Creator are your textbooks, the things we learn directly from the universe the Creator made. And all of these things point to same gender sexual orientation as being an expected variation of human sexual expression. Gay people are part of the intended result of the Creator's efforts.
This page contains the reason why gay people should have equal rights - it supports HB2661. Thanks for the reference but it does leave me a bit puzzled as to why you'd post such a gay-positive url.
I praise Governor Gregoire for encouraging understanding of and love for our gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender families, friends and neighbors. God Bless her heart. For the love of God Gary, I think it's time for us to lay down our swords and live peacefully with our homosexual neighbors. If you can't... then please keep your agenda of hatred in Portland where you live and keep your Hands Off Washington.
f you can't... then please keep your agenda of hatred in Portland where you live and keep your Hands Off Washington.
WHAT?! Gary is some sort of discrimination carpetbagger? What the heck! So much for his respecting state rights.
I had no idea he wasn't even a resident of this state and I find this revelation undercuts what credibility he had.
I was wondering when Faith and Freedom was going to actually promote a Judeo-Christian value.
So far all I have seen is a campaign to denigrate others beliefs that they deem un-Christian.
I see it this way. People do not know what is right and what is wrong,or want to be ignorent of the fact. How do we know what is right and what is wrong? Is there any definition or guidance to differentiate what is right and what is wrong? On what basis does the State decide what is right and what is wrong? Is it what the majority thinks? Just because the majory thinks so, is that right? What is liberty? Is it any thing that you want to do freely with no restrictions? What is our civil rights? To do as we please? What is Freedom? To do what we please? Look to the world; all countries tend to write their constitution in accordance to their religion. This country is based on Christianity. We believe in God and so our lifestyles and State Laws should be based on the Bible. What does the Bible says about homosexuality? It says in Leviticus 20: 13 it is detestable to the Lord. 1 Corinthians 6: 9 also says it is a sin. No State Laws should make sin legal. We christians do not hate homosexuals, we love them as we love all sinners just as we ourselves are sinners. But the difference is we know what is right and what is wrong because we stand on the Bible and try to live a life style in accordance to the Bible. Please tell me on what basis do you stand to say that homosexual life style is normal? If two people have harmony within them selves, is that right? If a man sleeps with another man's wife in agreement and the husband does not know about it, is that right? Please think hard before you respond.
vishanti, Gary was born and raised in Washington State and spent much of his life here. His entire family still lives here.
Vishandi - You have entered each and every section and put everyone down for their beliefs. Just who do you think you are and how far do you think you'll get with that kind of an attitude towards others? As Americans we all have a right to our own view points and whether you agree or disagree is irrelevant. I believe that Marriage is between a MAN and a WOMEN. That is my personal opinion and I have that right. You have felt the need to justify your beliefs but unfortunately it's gone to extreme in mud slinging and name calling, how childish! You need to do some real soul searching and give respect to those who deserve it. It's not up to you to pass judgement on to others because they don't agree with you!
You lost because you lied. Your spokespeople said it was about quotas - the law EXPLICITLY banned quotas. Your spokespeople said it would force churches to marry gay people - the law EXPLICITLY exempts religious organizations.
Not only that, but you had to abuse the good name of God to do your bidding. How low can you get. Perhaps you should study your bible - remember the commandment - Thou Shalt Not Bare False Witness. Remember that.
"ishandi - You have entered each and every section and put everyone down for their beliefs. Just who do you think you are and how far do you think you'll get with that kind of an attitude towards others? "
Ha, this from the people who pre-emptively called other citizens 'sinners' immoral' and worse. You are the ones the attacked, in fact this entire 'battle' is your own creation. And you whine about 'mudslinging' - I've been a saint compared with the filth that has poured from the mouths of the Christianists.
I believe that Marriage is between a MAN and a WOMEN. That is my personal opinion and I have that right.
Of course you do an no one is going to compel you to marry anyone other than your opposite gender or say that you should be able to be discriminated against because of your beliefs. Unfortunately you don't give the same tolerance to others. It is this hypocritical double standard that debases you, nothing I've done.
You need to do some real soul searching and give respect to those who deserve it. It's not up to you to pass judgement on to others because they don't agree with you!
HA! you should be suffering an irony overdose right about now.
Exporting bigotry and discrimination across state lines is wrong. There he was standing on the Washington state capital steps giving interviews about his attempt to promote discrimination and he isn't even a citizen of this state! I mean that's outrageous even if you support this call for bigotry.
So if you thought that my using the term 'carpetbagger' was name calling, let me just use the full definition so its just a statement of fact:
carpetbagger: a person perceived as an unscrupulous opportunist
both Gary and Tim fit under that definition just fine.
This country is based on Christianity. We believe in God and so our lifestyles and State Laws should be based on the Bible. What does the Bible says about homosexuality
It is based on the Christianity as seen by the Deists, Unitarians, Quakers and the like, all who realize that sexual orientation is just a feature of humanity, intrinsically morally neutral - as always its what you do.
And quoting Leviticus - please, that was a religious proscription, the word condemning it means 'ritually unclean'.
What the bible says about homosexuality is:
Love God with all your heart.
Love each other as God loves you.
From this all the law and the prophets flow.
Being gay is no more intrinsically 'immoral' than eating shrimp. Stop thumping your bible and read it - sins hurt the person, gay people in committed loving relationships reap the same rewards that straight ones do. Use some common sense, you really haven't been proscribed from doing that.
Vishanti - Your talking out of both corners of your mouth. You have thrown out more names then carpetbaggers but I'm not going argue with you and lower myself to your level. You will always be a victim with a cause and you have such a play with words. You need to pick and choose your battles wisely! It can get awfully lonely up on that pedestal of yours all alone.
Vishanti - I believe in the Bible and the 10 commandments. I also believe in the Constitution of the United States of America. There however comes a time when you have to take a stance on issues that affect Society as a WHOLE spiritually,morally and emotionlly. You can twist and turn what is being related here and you have that right! But to take Gods name in vein or to distort the Bible makes you the Bigot! We all have choices to make and try to use our best judgement in any every aspect of life. Since you seem to have so much knowledge re: the Bible, here's some food for thought:
"GOD CREATED ADAM AND EVE" NOT Adam and Steve!
Nobody is asking you to give up or change your religious beliefs
But you no problem hurling insults and coming on to Christian blogs throwing insults in an attempt to intimidate . Which by the wy has worked quite well in our culture , as i have said before your strongest political supporters have said the most nasty comments about human beings , God's creation , who happen to be homosexual or something else in orienation . What would be interesting is if the Gene is ever found , just think if it could be identified before birth , the Gay and Lesbian Task Force would be sreaming how Our Founders were all Christians , that there is nothing about abortion in the Constitution , and indeed life and respect for it was important .
Anonymous said...
This is a definitely a sign of enlightenment. In 15 years, this issue will be completely behind us and you won't be able to find anyone who will admit they were ever against gay marriage.
JUST LIKE ABORTION
But to take Gods name in vein or to distort the Bible makes you the Bigot!
I can't take God's name in vain, I'm not of your religion. I don't 'distort' the Bible, I am presenting mainstream views held by many Christians. Got to religioustolerance.org and read them yourselves. And you obviously don't know what a bigot is:
bigot noun expressing or characterized by prejudice and intolerance
I am fully tolerant of your point of view. I would never go to your church and might think your religion is rather silly but I would fight for your right have your religion and personally practice it as long as you don't try and make me practice it or act as if I did. Allowing people to do totally legal things you wouldn't do yourself is the core of the issue and the thing that your side is against.
tolerant adjective showing willingness to allow the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with
But you no problem hurling insults and coming on to Christian blogs throwing insults in an attempt to intimidate
1)I never go to Christian blogs - this is a Christianist political action blog.
2) the supporters of this blog have called me a 'sinner' 'immoral' 'perverted' and worse. The insults come from your side primarily, bit hard to cry and play the victim when you get milder things in return.
Keep up the good work Faith and Freedom Foundation. This is a VERY tough battle but a critically important one. The American people are behind you and will continue to be!
You need to pick and choose your battles wisely! It can get awfully lonely up on that pedestal of yours all alone.
Vishanti is far from alone. The christian-right is crushing itself by alienating more people than it brings in. Speaking as a former Republican, now discussed Independent, I speak for many like me who could no longer swallow the bulk of the “new christian agenda”. Family values is one thing, fascism is something else.
Look at this site. You have more posts from folks who want to see gay people treated equally and fairly than you do from the people you are supposed to support your beliefs. A lot of your supporters that are posting speak with their Judeo-Christian blinders on. Like this one, “We just have to make sure we continue to hold up our moral Christian values in these sad times.” Obviously yours is the old testament god of vengeance and jealousy. Don’t try and mask him in your sad sack cloche of love.
Love is about compassion and tenderness. I hear very little of that from today’s churches. Don’t put god in a box. Except everyone for who and what they are. Let god sort it out when it’s over.
Keep up the good work Faith and Freedom Foundation. This is a VERY tough battle but a critically important one. The American people are behind you and will continue to be!
More blinders…
VishiSays
2) the supporters of this blog have called me a 'sinner' 'immoral' 'perverted' and worse. The insults come from your side primarily, bit hard to cry and play the victim when you get milder things in return.
And you promote a life style that is just that according to the Bible . What would you expect ?
If a divorced person came on to Bibical perspoective and siad he was promoting divorce pride week he would be met with the same response . Sometimes you just a bit silly my friend .
What happens in the bedroom is no ones bussiness , you want rights for people who are doing something that is none of my business , that is between you and our Maker . You can tell him He is silly , I have enough to be sorry for .
History 101 ...
Importance of Morality and Religion in Government
John Adams
Signer of the Declaration of Independence and Second President of the United States
[I]t is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue.
(Source: John Adams, The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States, Charles Francis Adams, editor (Boston: Little, Brown, 1854), Vol. IX, p. 401, to Zabdiel Adams on June 21, 1776.)
[W]e have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. . . . Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.
(Source: John Adams, The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States, Charles Francis Adams, editor (Boston: Little, Brown, and Co. 1854), Vol. IX, p. 229, October 11, 1798.)
The moment the idea is admitted into society, that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence. If "Thou shalt not covet," and "Thou shalt not steal," were not commandments of Heaven, they must be made inviolable precepts in every society, before it can be civilized or made free.
(Source: John Adams, The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States, Charles Francis Adams, editor (Boston: Charles C. Little and James Brown, 1851), Vol. VI, p. 9.)
John Quincy Adams
Sixth President of the United States
The law given from Sinai was a civil and municipal as well as a moral and religious code; it contained many statutes . . . of universal application-laws essential to the existence of men in society, and most of which have been enacted by every nation which ever professed any code of laws.
(Source: John Quincy Adams, Letters of John Quincy Adams, to His Son, on the Bible and Its Teachings (Auburn: James M. Alden, 1850), p. 61.)
There are three points of doctrine the belief of which forms the foundation of all morality. The first is the existence of God; the second is the immortality of the human soul; and the third is a future state of rewards and punishments. Suppose it possible for a man to disbelieve either of these three articles of faith and that man will have no conscience, he will have no other law than that of the tiger or the shark. The laws of man may bind him in chains or may put him to death, but they never can make him wise, virtuous, or happy.
(Source: John Quincy Adams, Letters of John Quincy Adams to His Son on the Bible and Its Teachings (Auburn: James M. Alden, 1850), pp. 22-23.)
Samuel Adams
Signer of the Declaration of Independence
[N]either the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt.
(Source: William V. Wells, The Life and Public Service of Samuel Adams (Boston: Little, Brown, & Co., 1865), Vol. I, p. 22, quoting from a political essay by Samuel Adams published in The Public Advertiser, 1749.)
Fisher Ames
Framer of the First Amendment
Our liberty depends on our education, our laws, and habits . . . it is founded on morals and religion, whose authority reigns in the heart, and on the influence all these produce on public opinion before that opinion governs rulers.
(Source: Fisher Ames, An Oration on the Sublime Virtues of General George Washington (Boston: Young & Minns, 1800), p. 23.)
Charles Carroll of Carrollton
Signer of the Declaration of Independence
Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion, whose morality is so sublime & pure, [and] which denounces against the wicked eternal misery, and [which] insured to the good eternal happiness, are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of free governments.
(Source: Bernard C. Steiner, The Life and Correspondence of James McHenry (Cleveland: The Burrows Brothers, 1907), p. 475. In a letter from Charles Carroll to James McHenry of November 4, 1800.)
Benjamin Franklin
Signer of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence
[O]nly a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.
(Source: Benjamin Franklin, The Writings of Benjamin Franklin, Jared Sparks, editor (Boston: Tappan, Whittemore and Mason, 1840), Vol. X, p. 297, April 17, 1787. )
I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings, that "except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better, than the Builders of Babel: We shall be divided by our partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and bye word down to future ages. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing governments by human wisdom and leave it to chance, war and conquest.
I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the clergy of this city be requested to officiate in that service.
(Source: James Madison, The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787, Max Farrand, editor (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1911), Vol. I, pp. 450-452, June 28, 1787.)
* For more details on this quote, click here.
Thomas Jefferson
Signer of the Declaration of Independence and Third President of the United States
Give up money, give up fame, give up science, give the earth itself and all it contains rather than do an immoral act. And never suppose that in any possible situation, or under any circumstances, it is best for you to do a dishonorable thing, however slightly so it may appear to you. Whenever you are to do a thing, though it can never be known but to yourself, ask yourself how you would act were all the world looking at you, and act accordingly. Encourage all your virtuous dispositions, and exercise them whenever an opportunity arises, being assured that they will gain strength by exercise, as a limb of the body does, and that exercise will make them habitual. From the practice of the purest virtue, you may be assured you will derive the most sublime comforts in every moment of life, and in the moment of death.
(Source: Thomas Jefferson, The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Albert Bergh, editor (Washington, D.C.: Thomas Jefferson Memorial Assoc., 1903), Vol. 5, pp. 82-83, in a letter to his nephew Peter Carr on August 19, 1785.)
The doctrines of Jesus are simple, and tend all to the happiness of mankind.
(Source: Thomas Jefferson, The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Albert Bergh, editor (Washington, D. C.: Thomas Jefferson Memorial Assoc., 1904), Vol. XV, p. 383.)
I concur with the author in considering the moral precepts of Jesus as more pure, correct, and sublime than those of ancient philosophers.
(Source: Thomas Jefferson, The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Albert Bergh, editor (Washington, D. C.: Thomas Jefferson Memorial Assoc., 1904), Vol. X, pp. 376-377. In a letter to Edward Dowse on April 19, 1803.)
Richard Henry Lee
Signer of the Declaration of Independence
It is certainly true that a popular government cannot flourish without virtue in the people.
(Source: Richard Henry Lee, The Letters of Richard Henry Lee, James Curtis Ballagh, editor (New York: The MacMillan Company, 1914), Vol. II, p. 411. In a letter to Colonel Mortin Pickett on March 5, 1786.)
James McHenry
Signer of the Constitution
[P]ublic utility pleads most forcibly for the general distribution of the Holy Scriptures. The doctrine they preach, the obligations they impose, the punishment they threaten, the rewards they promise, the stamp and image of divinity they bear, which produces a conviction of their truths, can alone secure to society, order and peace, and to our courts of justice and constitutions of government, purity, stability and usefulness. In vain, without the Bible, we increase penal laws and draw entrenchments around our institutions. Bibles are strong entrenchments. Where they abound, men cannot pursue wicked courses, and at the same time enjoy quiet conscience.
Source: Bernard C. Steiner, One Hundred and Ten Years of Bible Society Work in Maryland, 1810-1920 (Maryland Bible Society, 1921), p. 14.
Jedediah Morse
Patriot and "Father of American Geography"
To the kindly influence of Christianity we owe that degree of civil freedom, and political and social happiness which mankind now enjoys. . . . Whenever the pillars of Christianity shall be overthrown, our present republican forms of government, and all blessings which flow from them, must fall with them.
(Source: Jedidiah Morse, A Sermon, Exhibiting the Present Dangers and Consequent Duties of the Citizens of the United States of America (Hartford: Hudson and Goodwin, 1799), p. 9.)
William Penn
Founder of Pennsylvania
[I]t is impossible that any people of government should ever prosper, where men render not unto God, that which is God's, as well as to Caesar, that which is Caesar's.
(Source: Fundamental Constitutions of Pennsylvania, 1682. Written by William Penn, founder of the colony of Pennsylvania.)
Pennsylvania Supreme Court
No free government now exists in the world, unless where Christianity is acknowledged, and is the religion of the country.
(Source: Pennsylvania Supreme Court, 1824. Updegraph v. Cmmonwealth; 11 Serg. & R. 393, 406 (Sup.Ct. Penn. 1824).)
Benjamin Rush
Signer of the Declaration of Independence
The only foundation for a useful education in a republic is to be laid in religion. Without this there can be no virtue, and without virtue there can be no liberty, and liberty is the object and life of all republican governments.
(Source: Benjamin Rush, Essays, Literary, Moral and Philosophical (Philadelphia: Thomas and William Bradford, 1806), p. 8.)
We profess to be republicans, and yet we neglect the only means of establishing and perpetuating our republican forms of government, that is, the universal education of our youth in the principles of Christianity by the means of the Bible. For this Divine Book, above all others, favors that equality among mankind, that respect for just laws, and those sober and frugal virtues, which constitute the soul of republicanism.
(Source: Benjamin Rush, Essays, Literary, Moral and Philosophical (Philadelphia: Printed by Thomas and William Bradford, 1806), pp. 93-94.)
By renouncing the Bible, philosophers swing from their moorings upon all moral subjects. . . . It is the only correct map of the human heart that ever has been published. . . . All systems of religion, morals, and government not founded upon it [the Bible] must perish, and how consoling the thought, it will not only survive the wreck of these systems but the world itself. "The Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it." [Matthew 1:18]
(Source: Benjamin Rush, Letters of Benjamin Rush, L. H. Butterfield, editor (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1951), p. 936, to John Adams, January 23, 1807.)
Remember that national crimes require national punishments, and without declaring what punishment awaits this evil, you may venture to assure them that it cannot pass with impunity, unless God shall cease to be just or merciful.
(Source: Benjamin Rush, An Address to the Inhabitants of the British Settlements in America Upon Slave-Keeping (Boston: John Boyles, 1773), p. 30.)
George Washington
"Father of Our Country"
While just government protects all in their religious rights, true religion affords to government its surest support.
(Source: George Washington, The Writings of George Washington, John C. Fitzpatrick, editor (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1932), Vol. XXX, p. 432 n., from his address to the Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church in North America, October 9, 1789.)
Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of man and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connexions with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked, Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths, which are the instruments of investigation in Courts of Justice?
And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle. It is substantially true, that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule, indeed, extends with more or less force to every species of free government. Who, that is a sincere friend to it, can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric?
(Source: George Washington, Address of George Washington, President of the United States . . . Preparatory to His Declination (Baltimore: George and Henry S. Keatinge), pp. 22-23. In his Farewell Address to the United States in 1796.)
[T]he [federal] government . . . can never be in danger of degenerating into a monarchy, and oligarchy, an aristocracy, or any other despotic or oppressive form so long as there shall remain any virtue in the body of the people.
(Source: George Washington, The Writings of George Washington, John C. Fitzpatrick, editor (Washington: U. S. Government Printing Office, 1939), Vol. XXIX, p. 410. In a letter to Marquis De Lafayette, February 7, 1788.)
* For the full text of Geo. Washington's Farewell Address, click here.
Daniel Webster
Early American Jurist and Senator
[I]f we and our posterity reject religious instruction and authority, violate the rules of eternal justice, trifle with the injunctions of morality, and recklessly destroy the political constitution which holds us together, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us that shall bury all our glory in profound obscurity.
(Source: Daniel Webster, The Writings and Speeches of Daniel Webster (Boston: Little, Brown, & Company, 1903), Vol. XIII, p. 492. From "The Dignity and Importance of History," February 23, 1852.)
Noah Webster
Founding Educator
The most perfect maxims and examples for regulating your social conduct and domestic economy, as well as the best rules of morality and religion, are to be found in the Bible. . . . The moral principles and precepts found in the scriptures ought to form the basis of all our civil constitutions and laws. These principles and precepts have truth, immutable truth, for their foundation. . . . All the evils which men suffer from vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery and war, proceed from their despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible. . . . For instruction then in social, religious and civil duties resort to the scriptures for the best precepts.
(Source: Noah Webster, History of the United States, "Advice to the Young" (New Haven: Durrie & Peck, 1832), pp. 338-340, par. 51, 53, 56.)
James Wilson
Signer of the Constitution
Far from being rivals or enemies, religion and law are twin sisters, friends, and mutual assistants. Indeed, these two sciences run into each other. The divine law, as discovered by reason and the moral sense, forms an essential part of both.
(Source: James Wilson, The Works of the Honourable James Wilson (Philadelphia: Bronson and Chauncey, 1804), Vol. I, p. 106.)
Robert Winthrop
Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives
Men, in a word, must necessarily be controlled either by a power within them or by a power without them; either by the Word of God or by the strong arm of man; either by the Bible or by the bayonet.
(Source: Robert Winthrop, Addresses and Speeches on Various Occasions (Boston: Little, Brown & Co., 1852), p. 172 from his "Either by the Bible or the Bayonet.")
More info on the De Vishanti codes
1. Patent Untruths
Numerous history texts make claims such as: our “national government was secular from top to bottom,” or that the Founders “reared a national government on a secular basis.” Those who have studied the American Founding know that this is a patent untruth — proved by numbers of Founders, including John Adams, who declared: “The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity.” (Even the text of the Declaration of Independence refutes any charges of government secularism.) This approach usually relies on a general lack of public knowledge about that untruth; consequently, such untruthful claims are rarely made in areas where citizens have broad general knowledge (such as claiming that James Madison used an atomic bomb to end the Civil War, or that the first sub-machine gun was developed in 1536 in Nevada by the Quakers). Revisionism relies on a lack of citizen knowledge in specific areas.
2. Overly Broad Generalizations
This revisionist tool presents the exception as if it were the rule. For example, texts often name Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Paine as proof of the lack of religiosity among the Founders yet fail to mention the rest of the almost 200 Founding Fathers — including the dozens of Founders who not only received their education in schools specializing in the training of ministers of the Gospel but who also were active in Christian ministry and organizations (e.g., John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Benjamin Rush, Roger Sherman, et. al).
Similarly, when discussing religion in America, the Salem Witch trials are universally presented; but rarely mentioned are the positive societal changes produced by Quakers, Baptists, Presbyterians, and dozen of other religious groups and organizations that worked for the abolition of slavery, secured religious freedoms for all, and fought to end societal abuses of all types. (Also never mentioned is that the American witch trials resulted in some two dozen deaths — and were halted by religious leaders, while the European witch trials resulted in 100,000; that is, American Christianity at that time might not have been perfect but it was light years ahead of both the Christianity practiced in Europe and the European secularism that resulted in 40,000 executions in the French Revolution.)
3. Omission
Notice the following three examples from American history works:
We whose names are under-written . . . do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God, and one of another, covenant and combine our selves together into a civil body politick. MAYFLOWER COMPACT, 1620
Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? . . . I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death? PATRICK HENRY, 1775
. . . ART. I.—His Britannic Majesty acknowledges the said United States . . . PEACE TREATY TO END THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, 1783
What was omitted from these important historical quotes?
We whose names are under-written having undertaken for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith and honor of our king and country, a voyage to plant the first colonie in the Northern parts of Virginia do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God, and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politick.
Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death?
In the name of the Most Holy and Undivided Trinity. It having pleased the Divine Providence to dispose the hearts . . . ART. I.—His Britannic Majesty acknowledges the said United States . . .
The omitted segments are those that indicate the strongly religious nature of American government documents and leaders. Also regularly omitted from texts is the fact that gratitude to God was central to the first Pilgrim Thanksgiving — and the fact that in 1782, the Congress of the United States was responsible for America's first English-language Bible; and that in 1800, Congress voted that on Sundays, the Capitol Building would serve as a church building and that by 1867, the largest protestant church in America was the one that met inside the U. S. Capitol; etc.
4. A Lack of Primary Source References
The avoidance of primary-source documents is characteristic in revisionism. For example, the authors of the widely-used text The Godless Constitution blatantly announce that they have “dispensed with the usual scholarly apparatus of footnotes” when discussing the documentation for their thesis that America’s government is built on a secular foundation. Similarly, the text The Search for Christian America purports to examine the Founding Era and finds a distinct lack of Christian influence. Yet 80 percent of the “historical sources” on which it relies to document its finding were published after 1950! That is, to determine what was occurring in the 1700s, they quote from works printed in the 1900s.
Summary
To locate revisionism in a text, look at its tone, the documents it presents, and the heroes it elevates.
To discover a revisionist tone, find the answers to these questions in the textbook: Is exploration and colonization motivated only by the desire for land or gold? Are those who promoted religious and moral values portrayed as harsh, punitive, and intolerant? Is traditional family ignored? Is government presented as statist — that is, that the state (rather than individuals, families, churches, or communities) is to take care of society's needs? Is there a victim ideology — a steady diet of those who have been exploited throughout history rather than those who have uplifted their culture? Are other religions portrayed positively and Christianity negatively (if at all)?
Are original documents presented? (Do students see the actual text or only what someone else says about it?) Do they see the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, George Washington's “Farewell Address,” and Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address? Are the documents heavily edited to present only a sentence or two or do they provide a substantive amount of text?
Who are the heroes presented? Do they tend to be angry - fighting an unjust society or government? Do they tend to be modern heroes only? Do they tend to be only secular leaders? For example, the U. S. Capitol displays some 100 statues of the most important individuals in America's history; a significant percentage of those statues are of ministers and Christian leaders. Will your children receive in their textbooks at least the same view of American heroes that is presented in America's pre-eminent government building?
When examining a text, always remember that your children do not know as much about history as you do and consequently have no basis for identifying bias. Therefore, examine each text as if you knew nothing at all about history except what is presented in that text; on that basis, will you be pleased with the tone toward America inculcated in your child through that text? If not, then urge your school to get a better text or be diligent to supplement for your children what is missing or wrongly presented in the text.
It is not melodramatic to state that America's future rests on what is taught to our children, for as Abraham Lincoln wisely observed:
The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next. (attributed)
Famous American educator Noah Webster therefore rightly admonished:
The education of youth should be watched with the most scrupulous attention. . . . [It] lays the foundations on which both law and gospel rest for success.
Indeed!
I concur with the author in considering the moral precepts of Jesus as more pure, correct, and sublime than those of ancient philosophers.
Yes and when he said Jesus he meant Jesus, not paul, not Moses. My God people, haven't read the Jefferson Bible, still handed out to every members of congress? And the history of its creation? Jefferson considered being a good Christian was following the Golden Rule and the 2 greatest commandments.
Gay people are totally compatible with what's in there - and your citing the Adams - they were Unitarians! Don't you even know what that means? They wouldn't be on your side in this attempt to deny your fellow citizens their equal access to government, your drive to inshrine intolerance into the constitutions.
Its sound bite hell here but so many of the ones you're cut and pasting in don't mean what you think they mean.
Jefferson would support homosexual marriage ? Soundbite hell is right ..
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