More Religious Nonsense In Texas Legislature

Evidently some Texas legislators think they were elected to further their own religious beliefs. Yesterday, we discussed the ridiculous idea of Rep. Chisum to force Texas schools to teach a course on the Bible. Today we learn of another instance where a legislator want to force her own religious beliefs on Texans.

Rep. Debbie Riddle (R-Tomball) wants to pass a law that would put the phrase "state under God" into the Texas pledge. That would make the pledge read:

Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God and indivisible.

State law has required Texas students to say the U.S. and Texas pledges in school since 2003. I don't have a problem with having students say the pledge as it currently stands. It's kind of a silly sounding pledge, but it doesn't hurt to have the students pledge allegiance to the state in which they live.

However, I do have a big problem with Rep. Riddle interjecting her religion into the pledge, and then requiring students to recite it. Texas students should not be forced to pledge allegiance to any God, christian or otherwise - but that's exactly what the revised pledge would entail.

And don't even bother telling me that students could opt out of the pledge with a note from their parents. A family tried that in Lewisville, and it resulted in their son's suspension from school. This is really ridiculous. We send our children to school to get a secular education, and not to have some religious bigot force her own weird religion on them. If you want your child to be taught religion in school, send them to a religious school, but don't force your religion on others.

One commenter said since he was muslim, he would have to substitute Allah for God in the pledge. That opens up a real can of worms. If that substitution is OK, can a satanist substitute the word Satan? Can a hindu substitute Krishna? You can see the problem that would ensue.

As the pledge currently stands, all students (with the exception of adventists) can say the pledge without compromising their own beliefs. But after Riddle makes the pledge a christian one rather than a Texas one, there will be many who could not in good conscience take the pledge.

Doesn't it make more sense to have a pledge for everyone, rather than just a pledge for christians? I realize that christians are a majority in Texas, but this should not give them the right to force their beliefs on others. In a free country, all citizens should be free to practice whatever religion (or lack of religion) they feel is appropriate.

The state of Texas, and our schools, should not be in the religion business.

Pat Robertson Nuts Out Again

Pat Robertson is at it again -- making predictions that won't come true, and in essence, making fun of those who take christianity seriously. He has to be poking fun at christianity, or he would have stopped making the predictions when the first one didn't come true.

In 2004, he said god told him that Bush would win easily. Bush did win, but it was a squeaker, with him only getting 51% of the vote. Not exactly wrong, but not the easy win he predicted.

In 2005, he said god told him that Bush would win approval of his social security reforms and get conservative judges appointed to federal courts. Bush did get two conservatives on the Supreme Court, but that social security "reform" still has not been approved.

In 2006, he said god told him that a tsunami would hit the east coast of the United States. It didn't happen, but Pat said he was partially right because the east coast had heavy rains last Spring.

This year, Pat said god has told him there will be a terrorist attack in the U.S. resulting in a "mass killing" late in 2007 -- possibly nuclear.

Pat's sorry record of mistakes makes me wonder just which god he's talking to. I was always taught as a child that the christian god is infallible, but Pat's god sure isn't. Pat's god is wrong on a regular basis!

Of course, we all know that it has nothing to do with any god. Pat Robertson is a religious con man who preys on the gullibility of his followers -- a classic false prophet. He's not talking to god, but just trying to scare christians into sending him more money.

It's time he was kicked to the curb. He's an embarrassment to true christians everywhere.

The "Godfather Of Soul" Dies

The legendary James Brown, the Godfather of Soul Music, died at 1:45am today in an Atlanta hospital. He had been admitted to the hospital suffering from pneumonia, but it is not known what caused his death.

Born in 1933, Brown went from reform school to being one of the world's most respected and honored entertainers. His songs included:

"Please, Please, Please" [1956-his first hit]

"Out of Sight"

"Sex Machine"

"I Got You (I Feel Good)"

"Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" [1965 Grammy winner]

"Say It Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud"

"Living in America" [1987 Grammy winner]

The great James Brown also won a Grammy in 1992 for lifetime achievement, and was one of the initial inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

I grew up with his music and loved it, and to this day I refuse to say his name without preceding it with another word such as "legendary" or "great". I will miss him, but his music will always live with me. Rest in peace JB, you've earned it.