Monday, February 27, 2012

George P. Spencer Epitaph

George P. Spencer of Lyndon Center, Vt., died in 1908 at age 83. His epitaph is inscribed on the sides of a granite monument:
"Beyond the universe there is nothing and within the universe the supernatural does not and cannot exist. Of all deceivers who have plagued mankind, none are so deeply ruinous to human happiness as those impostors who pretend to lead by a light above nature. Science has never killed or persecuted a single person for doubting or denying its teachings, and most of these teachings have been true; but religion has murdered millions for doubting or denying her dogmas, and most of these dogmas have been false."
(From Charles L. Wallis, Stories on Stone, 1954)

WAR ON RELIGION? ABSURD!

The idea that the President and/or Democrats are making war on religion is absurd. War with religion would be both ridiculous and futile. That allegation is outrageous demagoguery and political malarkey.. A fence (or a wall) between your religion and mine will make us better friends, believe me. "Good fences make good neighbors." That's old-fashioned common sense and common courtesy. We each think our own religion or worldview is the right one, but we can and must live together with our differences and we don't have to go to war about it. No religion or denomination has the right to impose its values on another. When you try to advertise yours on OUR court house square with a creche or pray over a loud speaker at a football game, you are trespassing on my property and invading my privacy. The courts have upheld that fact. . If there is a war, evangelical Christians are making it. The First Amendment of the Constitution guarantees " the free exercise of religion", mine as well as yours, as well as freedom to practice no religion at all. The simple fact is that your rights end where mine begin, and vice versa.

Anne Williams