Dawnsinger

Wanted: A few good Pilgrims

Who: Christian Exodus

Where: South Carolina

What: Drumming up mass migration of conservative Christians to a single state with the aim of using a concentrated political force to return the state to government based on Biblical principles, with hopes of influencing national politics.   Secession a possibility.

When:  Taking applications now.

Note to self:  On the face, this sounds kooky.  But reserve judgement.  Migrating in search of self-determination and freedom of religion is a bedrock of American history.   

Read today's story | Visit Christian Exodus

Ten Commandments redux . . .

It occurred to me over the past week - based on conversations with friends and coworkers and a flood of spam from one political committee or the other - that there is a severe disconnect between what people think the Ten Commandments say, and what they actually are.

In fact, despite the fact that they can work themselves into a foaming rage on either side of the issue, many have no clue at all about the Tem Commandments.    I would challenge Christians to educate themselves on this subject, before rolling out into a political battle.  The quick answer of many is that the reason we should display the Ten Commandments in public places, such as courthouses, is that the commandments are the basis of our legal system.  Who, after all, can argue against something like "Thou shalt not kill"? (or "murder," which is a more accurate sense) .

I'm not sure if this is ignorance or obfuscation.   

The fact is that little of the Ten Commandments is part of our law . . . or ever has been.  And if your defense of public displays is based on the notion that the Commandments are somehow secular in nature, you'd better check your ammo.  They are inherently religious.  A quick primer:

Some trust in chariots . . .

So the fury continues over the Supreme Court - which for many in America has replaced the President and Congress as both the legislative and executive branches of government.  Sandra Day O'Connor,  today's poster child for swing votes, is leaving the bench.  And the ailing Chief Justice Rehnquist, presumed to be near leaving - either due to retirement or due to meeting his Maker.  This giving President Bush a potential triple-play of Supreme Court nominations  . . .  two vacancies and a promotion to chief justice.

O'Connor herself is playing coy with the idea of reneging on her resignation if offered the chief justice's slot.  According to Sen. Arlen Specter,  when approached with the idea by several senators, she replied that she was "flattered" at the though, but did not dismiss it.   (Read this near the bottom of this story)

So Moveon.org and Focus on the Family and all points in between are girding for the latest round of  America's millennial Civil War, based on the premise that the selection of Supreme Court justices is more important than the election of presidents and congresscreatures.  And they may be right.