CLOates
18 March 2008
Norman, OK, USA
18 March 2008
Norman, OK, USA
A Modest Proposal
While the Oklahoma Legislature busies itself building religious monuments on state Capitol grounds in blatant violation of the U.S. Constitution (ref.: House Bill 1330, passed in the House and headed for the Senate), perhaps someone should suggest to the learned gentlepersons of the Legislature that a religious text even more appropriate than the Ten Commandments for their monument would be The Beatitudes.
While the esteemed Legislators admittedly could use some instruction about bowing down to graven images (the insurance companies and the graven images on the greenback dollars of their campaign contributions come to mind), the Legislators' actions indicate an urgent need for a basic understanding of the principles espoused by the Teacher most of them purport to follow. Consider the text below.
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The Beatitudes [from www.biblegateway.com]
Matthew 5:2-10 (New International Version)
2 and he began to teach them saying:
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
----------------------
Has anyone seen anything resembling the above in the hallowed halls of the Oklahoma Legislature lately?
'Nuf said.
--Prof. Oates
Other References
1) The Ten Commandments
See http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=5&chapter=5&version=31&context=chapter .
2) HB 1330 status [from http://okc.about.com/od/statecapital/a/2009legislative.htm ]
Bill: House Bill 1330
Author: Rep. Mike Ritze (R-Broken Arrow)
Purpose: If passed, this measure would allow for construction of a monument with the Ten Commandments on state Capitol grounds.
Status: Passed House, Goes to Senate
While the esteemed Legislators admittedly could use some instruction about bowing down to graven images (the insurance companies and the graven images on the greenback dollars of their campaign contributions come to mind), the Legislators' actions indicate an urgent need for a basic understanding of the principles espoused by the Teacher most of them purport to follow. Consider the text below.
------------------------
The Beatitudes [from www.biblegateway.com]
Matthew 5:2-10 (New International Version)
2 and he began to teach them saying:
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
----------------------
Has anyone seen anything resembling the above in the hallowed halls of the Oklahoma Legislature lately?
'Nuf said.
--Prof. Oates
Other References
1) The Ten Commandments
See http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=5&chapter=5&version=31&context=chapter .
2) HB 1330 status [from http://okc.about.com/od/statecapital/a/2009legislative.htm ]
Bill: House Bill 1330
Author: Rep. Mike Ritze (R-Broken Arrow)
Purpose: If passed, this measure would allow for construction of a monument with the Ten Commandments on state Capitol grounds.
Status: Passed House, Goes to Senate
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comment:
Grandpa/Prof. Oates Chuck Oates |
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