Note from Sue Ella: My apologies: On the October 28, 2011 commentary, I identified the three authors of H.B. 225 as senators. However, they are members of the Georgia House – Representative Susan Holmes of District 125, Representative Terry England of District 108 and Representative Tom McCall of District 30.

Does Religious Freedom Include Christianity?

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, November 11, 2011
By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Good morning, Jim. In 1791 the first ten amendments became part of the Constitution of the United States. It says, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assembly, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

For years we’ve focused on the freedom of religion phrase, while leaving out the last phrase that provides the constitutional right to “petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” “Redress” means to set it right. Since those grievances are becoming more numerous, more blatant and more serious every day, it’s time for government to do some “setting right.”

The “fix” becomes apparent when the facts are reviewed. First, the judiciary has assumed power not allotted to judges in the Constitution of the United States. But in addition, the Congress of the United States has allowed the judiciary to act as legislators and make laws. So, the radical judicial decisions that are being accepted as the law of the land are making drastic social changes that would never be made by Congress.

For example: A federal judge ruled in 2010 that a Connecticut school district’s plan to hold graduation ceremonies in a mega-church violates the constitutionally mandated separation of church and state and ordered school officials to find a secular alternative site.

That decision is unconstitutional, itself. First, the separation of church and state mandate is NOWHERE in the U.S. Constitution and religious freedom does not stop at the school house door. Second, the court interfered with the religious freedom of the school, the community and the students. After all appeals and considerations, the school board decided to use a cathedral for the graduation, if 16 religious items were covered or removed. The items included a communion table and all church pamphlets.

Now, please explain to me how the United States of America can exercise freedom of religion, when judges are making unconstitutional rulings and Congress allows them to do so? For Georgia Insight I’m Sue Ella Deadwyler, your Capitol correspondent.