Breaking News: U.S. Congressmen are now being prohibited from using references to God in official correspondence from the Capitol building
Posted: 10/09/2007
U.S. Congressmen are now being prohibited from using references to God in official correspondence from the Capitol building including, "under God" in the pledge, "God bless you," or "in the year of our Lord, 2007." Never before has this official prohibition ever been leveled.
Rep. Musgrave Stands Up To Threats To Religious Freedom In Washington Congresswoman defends right of lawmakers to reference God in official business
Washington, DC: Recently, Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave (R-Colo) was astonished when she flew a flag over the U.S. Capitol Building as a tribute to a senior citizen, and the accompanying certificate she received was edited with all religious references removed.
The Congresswoman was more astounded when, upon further investigation, she discovered the certificate was censored by order of the Architect of the Capitol, an unelected official who manages the flag office and other various operations within the Capitol Building.
Responding to a request for a flag flown over the United States Capitol in honor of a World War II veteran's 81st birthday, the Congresswoman ordered the flag and a certificate to state: "This flag was flown for Mr. John Doe on the occasion of his 81st birthday, the eleventh day of July, in the year of our Lord, 2007. Thank you, Grandpa, for showing me what it is to be a true patriot -- to love God, family, and country. We love you!"
When the flag and certificate came back from the flag office, each reference to the Lord and God were removed.
In response, Congresswoman Musgrave alerted two of her colleagues. Joining her were Congressman Randy Forbes (R-VA) and Congressman Michael Turner (R-OH). This group of lawmakers confronted Architect Stephen Ayers seeking to find the authority he was given to restrict their freedom of speech and religious expression.
Failing to provide the lawmakers a clear justification of his authority, the Architect has stood his ground and warned that because reference to God and the Lord may offend some Americans he prohibits them from being placed on official documents such as flag certificates.
"Our Founding Fathers fought against this sort of tyranny so every American citizen could freely express themselves and practice their religion. It's unfathomable that a bureaucrat in Washington today would think it is acceptable to silence the religious expression of lawmakers," said Musgrave.
"Flying flags over the Capitol is a traditional way to honor local residents. I was shocked when it came back with a censored certificate. I was even more shocked by the lack of reason the Architect has shown. He clearly has no basis for his actions and has displayed poor judgment on this matter," continued Musgrave.
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Marilyn Musgrave began serving in the United States House of Representatives in January 2003, and she represents Colorado's Fourth Congressional District. Musgrave is a member of the House Committees on Agriculture, Education and the Workforce, Resources, and Small Business. To learn more about Rep. Musgrave please visit her official website at http://www.house.gov/musgrave.
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Re: Breaking News: U.S. Congressmen are now being prohibited from using references to God in official correspondence from the Capitol building
Posted On: 10/18/07 12:00:28 AM
Age 55, OR
If our country is forced to keep God out of everything public including our judicial system, I fear God will be forced to turn his back on us as a soverign nation. Therefore, we will no longer be under HIS protective hand and face severe catastrophic judgements. And, I don't have to list the numerous things, including severe drought, food shortages, earthquakess,etc., we will incur. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Breaking News: U.S. Congressmen are now being prohibited from using references to God in official correspondence from the Capitol building
Posted On: 10/11/07 02:36:57 PM
Age 34, CA
this is just plain wrong. most people immigrate here to have religous fredom. now the people who faught to give this freedom (CHRISTIANS) are the ones being opressed. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Re: Breaking News: U.S. Congressmen are now being prohibited from using references to God in official correspondence from the Capitol building
Re: Breaking News: U.S. Congressmen are now being prohibited from using references to God in official correspondence from the Capitol building
Posted On: 10/10/07 07:33:27 PM
Age 68, FL
It is truly a sad day for our country when some bureaucrat can override the wishes of one of our elected lawmakers and remove all mention of God from an official document. He is "afraid of offending some American." Well, I am a native born American, and I am strongly offended by his actions. Removal of anything to do with God the Father and Christ the Son seems to be accelerating throughout the land. God help us! Click here to reply to this post
Re: Breaking News: U.S. Congressmen are now being prohibited from using references to God in official correspondence from the Capitol building
Posted On: 10/10/07 07:16:49 PM
Age 45, PA
Calm down. You are hyperventilating. Your characterization of this kerfuffle as some sort of federal ban on the word "God" is in line with your typical lies for Jesus modus operani, though so I'm not surprised by it.
I actually agree with you that in this particular instance Rep Musgrave should be able to write whatever she wants on her flag certificate and that the Architect's policy is silly, obtuse and probably unconstitutional. On the other hand, the christofascists you represent want your imaginary sky fairy crammed down the throat of every citizen, and a large number of us are frankly rather sick of it. Pray all you want, build all the churches you want, but let's allow reason and rationality rule, not imaginary beings. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Re: Breaking News: U.S. Congressmen are now being prohibited from using references to God in official correspondence from the Capitol building
Posted On: 10/11/07 01:20:59 PM
Age 43, FL
LETS GET SOMETHING STRAIGHT FIRST , THE SEPERATION OF CHURCH AND STATE WAS DESIGNED TO PROTECT CHURCH FROM THE STATE NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. OUR FOUNDING FATHERS FOUNDED THIS NATION AS JUDEO-CHRISTIAN NATION AND 90% OF NATION AGREES AND WE ARE THE SILENT MAJORITY. IF YOU DONT LIKE THIS FACT GO FIND A COUNTRY THAT AGREES WITH YOU AND YOUR BELEIFS.ALL OF THE PAST GREAT EMPIRES OF THE EARTH CEASED TO BE BECAUSE OF THEY THOUGHT THAT THEY WERE GODS OR THAT THERE WAS NO ONE GREATER THEN THEM SELFS AND THATS WHAT HAPPENING NOW IN OUR COUNTRY BECAUSE OF PEOPLE LIKE YOU. WE HAVE BEEN BLESS AS A NATION BECAUSE OF OUR FAITH NOT INSPITE OF IT. PS I WILL PRAY FOR YOU THAT YOUR EYE WILL BE OPENED. GOD BLESS YOU Click here to reply to this post
Re: Re: Breaking News: U.S. Congressmen are now being prohibited from using references to God in official correspondence from the Capitol building
Posted On: 10/11/07 11:09:51 AM
Age 49, MI
God says you KNOW that He exists by the creation around you. You can deal with trying to surpress the truth about that all you want, but it is you who will eventually have to give an account for rejecting what God says He has made OBVIOUS to you. Read Romans 1. I would not want to be in your shoes on judgment day. "EVERY knee shall bow and EVERY tongue confess that Jesus Christ IS Lord to the glory of God the Father." Whether we like it or not, agree with it or not, want to or not, believe it or not, the fact remains. It will happen.
What we believe, like or vote about the law of gravity will not change the law of gravity. What we believe, like or want in terms of God's truth doesn't change His truth. Be very careful how you address God! Click here to reply to this post
Re: Re: Breaking News: U.S. Congressmen are now being prohibited from using references to God in official correspondence from the Capitol building
Posted On: 10/11/07 11:02:30 AM
Age 49, MI
God says you know that He exists by the creation around you. You can deal with trying to surpress the truth about that all you want, but it is you who will eventually have to give an account for rejecting what God says He has clearly made obvious to you. Read Romans 1. I would not want to be in your shoes on judgment day. "EVERY Click here to reply to this post
Re: Re: Breaking News: U.S. Congressmen are now being prohibited from using references to God in official correspondence from the Capitol building
Posted On: 10/11/07 10:00:40 AM
Age 57, TX
As an "American" I am deeply "offended" by the arrogance of Architect Stephen Ayers in the Capitol building. His unconstitutional actions need to be addressed and corrected immediately. And those who refer to Christians as "christofaschists" simply display their ignorance about Christianity and purposely try to be offensive. My prayer for you: “Father forgive them, they not what they do.” Click here to reply to this post
Re: Breaking News: U.S. Congressmen are now being prohibited from using references to God in official correspondence from the Capitol building
Posted On: 10/10/07 04:57:17 PM
Age 51, MO
No where in the Fox news article does it say that God is prohibited in a flag statement. It sounds like the message can be filled in by the congressmen to whom the request is made and any message can be placed on the certificate. What is hard about that ?
Still have my challenge open. Prove to me that the world gets worse everyday and that we are on a downhill path as a nation Kevi914@aol.com Click here to reply to this post
Re: Re: Breaking News: U.S. Congressmen are now being prohibited from using references to God in official correspondence from the Capitol building
Posted On: 10/11/07 09:54:10 AM
Age 79, MO
Prove to you that the world is getting worse?
If you cannot comprehend what hss been happening for many years now, there is no way to open your eyes.
There are still some people who think the world is flat. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Breaking News: U.S. Congressmen are now being prohibited from using references to God in official correspondence from the Capitol building
Posted On: 10/10/07 04:30:15 PM
Age 39, IA
I am really amazed at that decision! Is there an update? Is it happening with other things now (besides the example listed)? Click here to reply to this post
Re: Breaking News: U.S. Congressmen are now being prohibited from using references to God in official correspondence from the Capitol building
Posted On: 10/10/07 02:59:13 PM
Age 47, SD
My first conern is that this may be happening more and more. The Architect from the US Capitol flag office has no basis for his actions. He is offfending millions of Americans who cherish and want to keep their First Amendment Rights to express their freedom of speech and religious freedoms! It is extremely offensive in my opinion to see Jesus Christ and any reference of God taken out of the public domain. I see this action as fueling the flames of "godlessness" and hatered toward those who love their nation, God and family! We will certainly reap what we allow to be sown! Are we quicky and surely losing our greatness as a Nation? I must applaud Congresswomen Musgrave for her actions in pursueing and defending her and all Americans rights to Freedom of Speech and Religion. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Breaking News: U.S. Congressmen are now being prohibited from using references to God in official correspondence from the Capitol building
Posted On: 10/10/07 02:10:12 PM
Age 45, OH
I am not surprised but I am disappointed.
I could say I am outraged, but we are warned in II Timothy 3:1 "that in the last days, perilous times shall come." They have.
I applaud Rep Musgrave in fighting this and I pray that she wins the fight. I just know that we are warring against a tide of disbelief and disallusionment that is pretty overwhelming. Am I giving up? No Way!
Am I going to fight the good fight every day. I certainly will try. In the meantime,
God Bless You! Click here to reply to this post
