An Atheist group protesting at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., this week has revealed that its prime motivation is to raise awareness for the importance of the separation of church and state.
The Charlotte Atheists and Agnostics (CAA), an American Atheists affiliate, held its first protest late Tuesday afternoon at the corner of Stonewall Street and Caldwell Street, where members from the group spoke about the necessity of freedom from religion."The main goal was to demonstrate for the separation of church and state. We feel strongly that keeping religion out of government benefits all citizens, the religious and secular alike," Shawn Murphy from the CAA shared with The Christian Post in an email.
About Tuesday's protest, he added: "The event went very well. Despite the rain, we had a good turn out and plenty of positive interest. I was disappointed that the stage was not covered in any way. We got quite wet. I was delightfully surprised by the level of dedication of our speakers and audience who took the weather in good humor."
The atheist group clarified that its members were not necessarily protesting the Democratic Party, but using the widely-publicized event as an opportunity to draw attention to their mission.
"There is a need, even at the DNC, to make our voices heard in opposition to the overwhelming influence of religion in our political system. True, the Religious Right has a stranglehold on the Republican Party, and they are a huge threat to us, but there are also those in the Democratic Party who refuse to separate their religion from their office," the atheists explain on their Facebook page centered around the protest.
Meanwhile, delegates at the convention voted to reinstate the word "God" back in the Democratic National Convention's platform, although it took three roll calls to do so.
"If the narrative that's being presented on your station and through your channel and your network is that Democrats are godless people, they ought to know better. God is not a franchise of the Republican Party," said Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin as he criticized Fox News in its coverage of his party striking the words "God" and "Jerusalem" from its platform.
"If you're trying to draw some conclusion that the Democrats are godless, present your evidence. Present your evidence," he added.
Just Who is in power?
ReplyDeletePosted on: 3 Oct. 2012 on www.ndccsd.com
Here is a letter I wrote to another friend about politics, parties and candidates. I hope it will explain my beliefs and position about all the political criticism being forced on us thru email or other means.
In my opinion and study of civilization this political fear is not a new phenomenon. Ever since I can remember people have been arguing about that, "This election year is critical". I've heard it each and every campaign season of my life! So, what is so different now? The world is dying, our Country is fading, just as all past Nations and Empires and Civilizations have. It's just a matter of when God decides to pull the plug or decide to let us continue, no matter what political party is seemingly "Running the show." The whole World belongs to God and every Nation in it. He is running the show, not us. We each have the responsibility to choose. Free will and choice is ours. Every person of age must decide for themselves what they will choose to do in their life. For me, being happy and trusting God in all things is my first choice. I also have the right to choose to be wrong! And I often choose unwisely as do we all.
As American Citizen's we each have the right to choose to vote or support whomever we will. As Citizen's of God's Kingdom I prefer to choose peace of mind above the turmoil of earthly political argument and strife. This choice I make FOR MY OWN INNER PEACE. Yes, I will vote, but I refuse to be victimized any longer by things I cannot control. For me it really does not matter who wins the election. But, it does matter what I do as a Citizen for my Country and mostly for God. I look to God and not to man to solve our problems. In my opinion, we American's have become too greedy and too lazy and most of all we have forgotten to obey God. So, we deserve our punishment, punishment we caused ourselves because of our arrogant Godlessness. Our leaders refuse to conform to God's ways, so all the Nation suffers. My remedy is to Pray for the leaders and our Nation, that God will have mercy and spare us and revive us again before we fall. But, I know that we will fall someday. People will never change for very long.
So, with all that said, I choose to be happy if possible, rather than right. I choose to vote my conscience and trust God for the outcome. I choose to let better people than me do the political infighting. I have done my part for America. I spent my entire life serving her! I have paid the painful cost of that loyalty and bear the scars within and on my body. So, now it's up to the next generations to choose. I hope they choose wisely.
God puts people in positions of power, not men. God is our REAL President and whomever gets elected is His decision. Think about what Jesus said to His generation. People wanted Him to conquer Rome and be the new political leader then. But, what did he say about that? And people hated him for it!
Peace be with you!