ETHICS AND MORALITY. RIGHTS- WHAT THEY ARE, AND WHAT THEY ARE NOT. PT 6.

 

Let us now examine another quote, taken from  

a speech given by the late Justice Anton Scalia.

“We do him [God] honor in our pledge of allegiance, in all our public ceremonies,” Justice Scalia said. “There’s nothing wrong with that. It is in the best of American traditions, and don’t let anybody tell you otherwise. I think we have to fight that tendency of the secularists to impose it on all of us through the Constitution."

Before I get into the question of the history of the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, I would like to address something else said at the same time.

"WE DO HIM (GOD) HONOR... IN ALL OUR PUBLIC CEREMONIES."  This is perhaps the most clear expression of the lack of coherent knowledge about the content of the CONSTITUTION by Justice Scalia or, more likely, that he has abandoned any pretense of being Fair and Unbiased.

How is this possible?  Here it is, and I quote:  The Senators and Representatives...and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers... shall be bound by Oath and Affirmation, to support this Constitution;

but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public trust under the United States. (Italics are mine.)

This is taken from Article Six of the U.S. Constitution.  We, as Americans, can never require an elected or appointed public official, to relate or explain their private religious beliefs, as a requirement to hold office.  This includes PUBLIC CEREMONIES THAT INCLUDE SWEARING THEM INTO OFFICE.  IF AN AMERICAN MUST FIRST ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY ACCEPT THE EXISTENCE OF A RELIGIOUS ENTITY, AS PART OF AN OATH OF OFFICE, AND BY REFUSING TO EXCLUDES THEM FROM HOLDING OFFICE, YOU HAVE CREATED A TEST OF RELIGIOUS OBEDIENCE. 

This is Unconstitutional.  It is a first step into creating a THEOCRACY. The only oath required to be taken before one enters office, is the following, also spelled out in Article Six:  ...SHALL BE BOUND BY OATH OF AFFIRMATION TO SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION.

This is clear, and leaves no room for interpretation.

End of PT 6.

(First published on 10/25/2014)

THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD. THE WORLD OF CRYPTOZOOLOGY. PT 4. BIGFOOT- SECTION 2.

So, when you see a TV Promotional Ad Touting a NEW "BIGFOOT" HUNTING SERIES, what should you expect to see by turning in?

If you cut out the Hyperbole, not much of any Real Value.

WHY?

Nearly All of the Current information Regarding Bigfoot, or any of the Numerous Variations found around the World, Falls into Three Categories:

A)  Legends and Stories passed down by Native and Indigenous Peoples, regarding Creatures that are part of Their Religious and Cultural Mythology.

B)  Anecdotal Stories told by those who claim to have Encountered Such Beings in the Wild. 

C) "EVIDENCE" such as Footprints, Hair Samples, Scat, etc.

Unfortunately, None of this Results in an Actual Living/Breathing Member of the Animal Kingdom.  Legendary and Mythological Entities are a Part of the Cultural Identities of Societies Throughout the World.  The Reality of Such Stories, and the Existence of the Creatures that are Described Within the Bodies of the Tales, are of Secondary Importance to the Message and Lesson Imparted  to the Listener.

Personal Observations, without any Corroborating Evidence to Support Such Reports, are of Little Value to the Sciences of Biology and Zoology.  To Many Factors play into how we Observe, Comprehend, or Understand the World Around us.  Preconceived Notions,Individual Expectations, and Personal Biases can cause us to Misinterpret something Occurring right before our eyes.

"Hard Evidence" such as Plaster Casts of Footprints, Skin/Hair Samples, and Fecal Material Must be HANDLED, DOCUMENTED, STORED, TESTED AND EVALUATED COMPETENTLY, OR THEY ARE VIRTUALLY WORTHLESS IN ESTABLISHING THE EXISTENCE OF A NEW CLASS OF LIVING BEINGS.

In case your wondering, I haven't included any Videos or Photos in the Hard Evidence Category, quite simply because from what I have been able to Find through Research is Minimal, and Seriously Lacking in Credibility.   (THIS INCLUDES THE PATTERSON- GIMLIN FILM, WHICH DOES NOT STAND UP TO CRITICAL ANALYSIS. IT IS A CASE OF WISHFUL THINKING OVER REALITY.)

Anyone making Claims about the Existence of a Creature with Specific Physical and Behavioral Characteristics that make it a new and previously Unclassified Life Form, must do more then make Unsubstantiated Assertions in front of a Camera.

However, just what are people talking about when they describe encountering a BIGFOOT, and does this give us a window into the Nature of Such Encounters? 

LOOK FOR BIGFOOT SECTION 3.

ETHICS AND MORALITY. PERSONAL ETHICS VS INSTITUTIONAL ETHICS, OR FINDING GOD VS FORCING GOD. PT 5.

The Idea that Some Americans want to Enforce their own Brand of Morality and Religion on the rest of us is not surprising.  When you Claim to Speak for the "ALMIGHTY", and your Faith Teaches that all else is Evil, than Tolerance and Understanding is probably not High on your list of Priorities.

However, in the U.S., the Form of Government is a CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC, and there are Safeguards that are set up to prevent a Single Faith or Set of Beliefs from becoming the Source of all Legal Decisions, and the Final Word on Morality, Rights, and Acceptable Behavior.

What I find Interesting, and a Little Disturbing, is that Many of Those who would seek to Criminalize Offending Acts that run contrary to Their Faith, consider Themselves EVANGELICAL.

CHRISTIAN EVANGELISM, at its Heart, is Spreading the Word of JESUS CHRIST, at least in Terms of how it is interpreted Through Scripture. Not every Form of Evangelism Preaches the same System of Faith, and Disagreements are quite common.

Yet, they all seem to have One Thing In Common; BRINGING IN NEW CONVERTS, AND GETTING THEIR MESSAGE OUT TO THE WORLD, IS DONE BY PREACHING THE IDEA OF ETERNAL SALVATION.  IN ADDITION, COMING TO GOD, DECLARING ONES DEVOTION, AND REPENTING PAST SINS, ARE ALL NECESSARY FOR ACCEPTING ENTRY INTO THE NEW FAITH.  THIS MAY INCLUDE SUCH RITES AS BAPTISM.

There is also One Other Key Ingredient:  THAT THE INDIVIDUAL MUST COME TO THIS LIFE CHANGING MOMENT FREELY, AND ACCEPTING THE "WORD OF GOD" IS NOT DONE BY FORCE OF ARMS, OR BY STATUTE.  

IN OTHER WORDS; A TRUE CONVERSION RESULTS IN THE INDIVIDUAL "FEARING THE WRATH OF GOD" IF THEY DO NOT ACCEPT THE TEACHINGS OF THE NEW FAITH, AND NOT BECAUSE THEY FEAR THE "HAND OF MAN."

TO BE CONTINUED.

FEATURE ARTICLES. PROGRESSIVES- YOUR LEADERS ARE FAILING YOU.

Progressives, Some things to think about....



Referring to President Elect Trump, Barack Obama thinks we should balance
what he said during the campaign, with what he does as President. That's what I
would expect a Lawyer to say, not a World Leader. Then again, he might say a
couple of nice things about you. He Trashed you enough during the election,
and you wouldn't want to upset him further.

See, I was under the Impression that a departing President, after seeing an
Unprincipled Hate Monger win the most powerful elected office in the world,
using TACTICS PRAISED BY THE KKK AND THE AMERICAN NAZI PARTY,
would tell his supporters to use all legal means to make sure he fails. This would
encourage Americans to avoid such DEMAGOGUES, WHO ENCOURAGE
VIOLENCE AND HATE AS A VIABLE STRATEGY TO WIN AN ELECTION.

Now pay attention. When I say see him fail as President, IT MEANS THAT HIS
GOALS AND REASONS FOR RUNNING HAVE BEEN DEFEATED, AND THE
VISION HE HAD FOR THE U.S. DID NOT COME ABOUT.  That may mean no
compromises, and ignoring all attempts at working together. BUT...

Some Democratic Members of Congress think we should help heal the Division in this
Country, as President Elect Trump proposes. (The fact he caused the Division is ignored).
Why not, shouldn't we follow the shining example set by the Republican Congress over the
last eight years? I mean they have a policy of Blocking any Legislation that would actually
help the Average American, like a LIVING WAGE AND AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE.
I'M SURE THEY WILL BE MUCH MORE REASONABLE NOW.

The Southern Poverty Law Center thinks President Elect Trump should denounce
racism and violence, done in his name. (I would think that is something that you
wouldn't have to ask.) He will probably do it, after all he and his cronies have the
White House, so he can condescend to throw a few scraps to his opponents. Then
the Law Center can announce the VICTORY OVER INTOLERANCE, AND
PRESIDENT TRUMP IS NOT AS BAD AS WE THOUGHT.

You have to say one thing about Donald Trump: HE PROMOTES ANGER, HATRED,
PREJUDICE AND THE THREAT OF VIOLENCE TO GET ELECTED, AND STILL
HE HAS THE OPPOSITION ABANDONING THEIR INTEGRITY AND DIGNITY
TO SAY CONSOLING THINGS ABOUT HIM.

WOW!!