Whereas the word “Diwali” is a shortened version of the Sanskrit term “Deepavali”, which means “a row of lamps”;

I find it hilarious that they felt the need to include that. Seriously, how is that important?

It’s fairly easy to see why someone would vote “yes” to Hinduism and “no” to Christianity. While the Hindu resolution simply recognized Hinduism as a valid religion and requested that we respect their practices, the Christian resolution is full of flattery and butt-kissing. “Christianity is SO IMPORTANT to our country! We were FOUNDED on it! And look how BIG it is! We MUST pander to it!” Seriously, why do we need a resolution to tell us that Christianity is enormous?

“Dear Ms. _______,

Thank you for contacting me about H. Res. 847, a resolution recognizing
the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith. I truly appreciate
hearing from you, and I am working hard to stand up for New Hampshire’s
interests in Congress.

I strongly believe that all citizens should be allowed to practice their
religion freely. The freedom of expression is an important part of the
rights afforded to us in the First Amendment.

On December 11, 2007, H. Res 847 passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 392 to 9. Please know that I will keep your views in mind
should any further legislation on religion come to the House floor.

I encourage you to continue to contact me about the issues that are
important to you. Please visit our website http://www.hodes.house.gov where you
can also sign up for my electronic newsletter and receive periodic
updates on my activities as your Representative in Washington.

Sincerely,
Paul Hodes
Member of Congress”

Uh – IT’S ALREADY AFFORDED TO US IN THE CONSTITUTION. THANKS. NO NEED TO SPEND USELESS TIME ON IT. HOW ABOUT PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF THE FREEDOM TO NOT PRACTICE RELIGION?!?!??!

The First Amendment’s guarantee of religious liberty, and of the nonestablishment of religion, was devised to create a secular state in which all religions would be equally tolerated and none given preference. The language of the House resolution effectively undermines the design of the Founders, and creates an atmosphere where non-Christians will continue to be targeted, treated like second-class citizens, and even become victims of violence like those four Jewish subway riders in New York.

That’s just a small quote of what all they said about it and I hope CSH and other like groups manage to reverse this resolution because it is very rude to others- not just non-theists.

We call on the Congress to reject this resolution, to stand up for religious freedom, secularism, and pluralism, and to foster a climate in which all believers and nonbelievers alike are treated equally.

I agree with CSH and support them in this statement- the whole of their statement, not just what I quoted.

There’s no First Amendment violation here, but it’s still a waste of time. Isn’t there a war in Iraq or something?

Only nine were willing to stand up and say “No” to theocracy. You weren’t one of them. Shame on you.

By writing a letter worded like that, I think you made it easy for him to ignore you, and to feel justified harboring whatever stereotypes about atheists he happens to harbor. The resolution doesn’t turn the US into a theocracy. Not even close. In fact it does nothing at all.

This is a tricky subject for letters to representatives, since the resolution is all just words. No action is actually taken, thus it isn’t easy to avoid talking about feelings, unfortunately. Hm OK, there’s still the wasted money theme, but that feels a bit weak.

Hm, perhaps it would help if Christians sent letters criticizing the grandstanding on grounds of humility, which Christians are supposed to display. And pointing out that Christians aren’t persecuted in the US while they’re at it. Something along these lines. Just no hyperbole about a supposed “theocracy”.

– Miz L.