Merry Christmas

December 13, 2007 4:18 PM

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;...
posted by 31d1 (18 comments total)

Mystery meat posts suck a bit.

From the link: 2007-2008 (110th Congress) H. Res. 847: Recognizing the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith

Dec 11, 2007: This bill passed in the House of Representatives by roll call vote. The vote was held under a suspension of the rules to cut debate short and pass the bill, needing a two-thirds majority. The totals were 372 Ayes, 9 Nays, 50 Present/Not Voting.

Also, LOLXTIANS.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 4:21 PM on December 13, 2007

What part of Get Your Own Fucking Block eludes you?

How did you think this was even remotely appropriate for Metafilter?
posted by tkolar at 4:24 PM on December 13, 2007

Christianity really is great.
posted by puke & cry at 4:24 PM on December 13, 2007

Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

(1) recognizes the Christian faith as one of the great religions of the world;
(2) expresses continued support for Christians in the United States and worldwide;
(3) acknowledges the international religious and historical importance of Christmas and the Christian faith;
(4) acknowledges and supports the role played by Christians and Christianity in the founding of the United States and in the formation of the western civilization;
(5) rejects bigotry and persecution directed against Christians, both in the United States and worldwide; and
(6) expresses its deepest respect to American Christians and Christians throughout the world.

What's so unconstitutional about that?
posted by Avenger50 at 4:25 PM on December 13, 2007 [1 favorite]

The actual bill. Its more the "lame recognition bill" then a threat to the establishment clause. Is there any reason the FPP should express this sort of alarm?

Whereas Christmas, a holiday of great significance to Americans and many other cultures and nationalities, is celebrated annually by Christians throughout the United States and the world;

Whereas there are approximately 225,000,000 Christians in the United States, making Christianity the religion of over three-fourths of the American population;

Whereas there are approximately 2,000,000,000 Christians throughout the world, making Christianity the largest religion in the world and the religion of about one-third of the world population;

Whereas Christians identify themselves as those who believe in the salvation from sin offered to them through the sacrifice of their savior, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and who, out of gratitude for the gift of salvation, commit themselves to living their lives in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Bible;

Whereas Christians and Christianity have contributed greatly to the development of western civilization;

Whereas the United States, being founded as a constitutional republic in the traditions of western civilization, finds much in its history that points observers back to its roots in Christianity;

Whereas on December 25 of each calendar year, American Christians observe Christmas, the holiday celebrating the birth of their savior, Jesus Christ;

Whereas for Christians, Christmas is celebrated as a recognition of God's redemption, mercy, and Grace; and

Whereas many Christians and non-Christians throughout the United States and the rest of the world, celebrate Christmas as a time to serve others: Now, therefore be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

(1) recognizes the Christian faith as one of the great religions of the world;

(2) expresses continued support for Christians in the United States and worldwide;

(3) acknowledges the international religious and historical importance of Christmas and the Christian faith;

(4) acknowledges and supports the role played by Christians and Christianity in the founding of the United States and in the formation of the western civilization;

(5) rejects bigotry and persecution directed against Christians, both in the United States and worldwide; and

(6) expresses its deepest respect to American Christians and Christians throughout the world.
posted by blahblahblah at 4:25 PM on December 13, 2007

Oops, that would be Blog, not Block. Must remember to check spelling when flaming.
posted by tkolar at 4:25 PM on December 13, 2007

Happy Christmas to you too!
posted by bonaldi at 4:25 PM on December 13, 2007

As always, glad to see Congress hard at work on the issues that matter to me.

*sigh*
posted by rooftop secrets at 4:25 PM on December 13, 2007

It can pass all the nonbinding resolutions it wants, though. There is a difference, right?
posted by absalom at 4:26 PM on December 13, 2007

No, is betterer tkolar. They'd be the blockerati, and they'd complain that blockspot sucked. Those blockers are hard to please.
posted by bonaldi at 4:26 PM on December 13, 2007

As if I needed another reason to hate our government. Ugh.
posted by blaneyphoto at 4:26 PM on December 13, 2007

Happy Hanukkah.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 4:27 PM on December 13, 2007

It isn't a law, but it is literally respecting an establishment of religion.
posted by shakespeherian at 4:27 PM on December 13, 2007

What's so unconstitutional about that?

Where's the similar bill granting/recognizing "support" and "deepest respect" for other religions, and atheism/agnosticism as well?
posted by cmgonzalez at 4:28 PM on December 13, 2007

I don't know, this seems pretty fucked up to me. Sure, it's not going to change anything, but I fail to see how this isn't respecting an establishment of religion.

Not to mention that it includes that stupid shit about how Christians are somehow persecuted in the US when they control, well, everything.
posted by wildcrdj at 4:28 PM on December 13, 2007

Bah. Not one of those resolutions actually recognizes the importance of Christmas.


Christians are really great though. A majority of Christians agree. (don't persecute them)
posted by Orange Pamplemousse at 4:28 PM on December 13, 2007

I read blahblahblah's name as just another line in the bill my first time looking at his comment.
posted by inconsequentialist at 4:28 PM on December 13, 2007 [1 favorite]

In other words, this is just a complete waste.
posted by cmgonzalez at 4:29 PM on December 13, 2007