Does God Run Homeland Security?

Atheist Group Sues Kentucky Over Law Saying Safety Cannot Be Achieved Without God

(AP)  A group of atheists filed a lawsuit Tuesday seeking to remove part of a state anti-terrorism law that requires Kentucky's Office of Homeland Security to acknowledge it can't keep the state safe without God's help.

American Atheists Inc. sued in state court over a 2002 law that stresses God's role in Kentucky's homeland security alongside the military, police agencies and health departments.

Of particular concern is a 2006 clause requiring the Office of Homeland Security to post a plaque that says the safety and security of the state "cannot be achieved apart from reliance upon almighty God" and to stress that fact through training and educational materials.

The plaque, posted at the Kentucky Emergency Operations Center in Frankfort, includes the Bible verse: "Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain."

"It is one of the most egregiously and breathtakingly unconstitutional actions by a state legislature that I've ever seen," said Edwin F. Kagin, national legal director of Parsippany, N.J.-based American Atheists Inc. The group claims the law violates both the state and U.S. constitutions.

But Democratic state Rep. Tom Riner, a Baptist minister from Louisville, said he considers it vitally important to acknowledge God's role in protecting Kentucky and the nation.

"No government by itself can guarantee perfect security," Riner said. "There will always be this opposition to the acknowledgment of divine providence, but this is a foundational understanding of what America is."

Kentucky has been at the center of a series of legal battles involving religious issues in recent years, most involving displays of the Ten Commandments in public buildings. One case went to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled in 2005 that such displays inside courthouses in two counties were unconstitutional.

Kentucky isn't the only state dealing with religious issues, but Ed Buckner, president of American Atheists, said it's alone in officially enlisting God in homeland security.

"I'm not aware of any other state or commonwealth that is attempting to dump their clear responsibility for protecting their citizens onto God or any other mythological creature," Buckner said.

State Rep. David Floyd, R-Bardstown, said the preamble to the Kentucky constitution references a people "grateful to almighty God," so he said he sees no constitutional violation in enlisting God in the state's homeland security efforts.

"God help us if we don't," he said.

[ausus-2009]

What religion did Pol Pot of Killing Fields fame follow?
What about those behind the Great Cultural Revolution?
What about the Soviet Pogroms?

If I had CHOSEN to live in a country where Ramadan was a celebration of the predominant religion, WOULD I BE OFFENDED BY RAMDAN????

Posted by txgrouch2007 at 05:41 PM : Dec 03, 2008

I am not offended by people celebrating their religion, but I am offended by their imposing their beliefs on others.
It doesn''t really matter what the majority wants. If it''s right it''s right, if it''s wrong it''s wrong.
Look at all the ways women are abused in the name of religion: forced marriage, child marriage, genital mutilation, honor killings.

[brookie53]

The entire middle east is ruled by their religions. Looks like they got it right! Killing for thousands of years..not to mention the hatred toward each other. If cristianity ruled the state there would be bloodshed also here.

[honestabe8]

actually, it appears that christians are the ones with seared consciousnesses. they always seem to feel they have something for which to repent.

[honestabe8]

slownewsdaze: i agree. the food was pretty crappy. the prize was great. the only marketing schtick i saw that was better was the bakery right next to a coffeeshop in amsterdam.

[honestabe8]

slownewsdaze: i always went right to the prize inside.

[violist47]

If god is great, he is not good; if god is good, he is not great. Actually, I do think that the state of the world shows that if there is a god, he is a man; a woman would have maade a better job of it.

[soni6]

slownewsdaze...Check out Romans 10:9-10

[honestabe8]

"Self proclaimed athiests have a seared conscience..." Soni6

Well, Soni6, I am an atheist, and you appear to be making sweeping generalizations about what people you do not know think.

[soni6]

Honestabe8...you''re right it is absurd that I would think that an athiest would put any credibility in the Bible however God has not given up on anyone who does not believe in Him. Self proclaimed athiests have a seared conscience so the chances that they would see the truth is virtually non-existent. As a Christian I believe God can change the hardest of hearts.

[honestabe8]

soni6: you do realize the absurdity of asking atheists to put any credibility in the bible, don''t you?

also, regarding your challenge to atheists to prove that there is no god, you cannot prove a negative. prove there are no unicorns.

[soni6]

All you athiests out there...if you''re so sure there is no God then why take your time and money to prove it! Bible believing Christians have as much right to their beliefs as you have to yours. This country was founded on Judea-Christian principles and as of this day no one has been able to disprove that God exists. I know where I am spending eternity and you athiests out there think you have the truth...Read Revelations! May God continue to bless this great nation. Without Gods blessing this country will fail.

[violist47]

Man has too often created God in his own image.

[earache4]

where has devilSPEAKS been?
Posted by yeswedid at 05:38 PM

He''s been put in charge of the Federal Reserve...

[earache4]

atheists...watever!!! there is a god and without him nothing can be accomplished..so shut up and get a bible
Posted by fush2 at 05:02 AM

And God made man in his image? I wonder who God''s favorite NASCAR driver is.....

[fush2]

atheists...watever!!! there is a god and without him nothing can be accomplished..so shut up and get a bible

[violist47]

The quote from Psalm 127 is a beautifully translated Jewish expression of determinism, and I am sure similar expressions could be found in most monotheistic religions. But do we really want to involve our national security in this kind of conundrum? Does it mean that when bad things happen it is because the Lord is not keeping the city? Does it mean the watchmen can sleep if God is keeping the city? Oh dear. And that is just the tip of the iceberg...

[txgrouch2007]

NO!! Not in our society!!
Posted by IwasHungry68 at 08:03 PM : Dec 03, 2008

So if YOU wouldn''t allow Muslim calls to prayer broadcast from PRIVATE property, then the question about public property is moot. Isn''t it?

Let''s stick to the REAL question.

When the majority of the population practices a particular religion, with or without official government declaration that it is a religious government - then REALLY, if you were in a foreign country and you witnessed an open celebration of that religion on public property, WHY WOULD YOU BE OFFENDED????

Even if the government DIDN''T declare itself to be a religious state, WHY WOULD IT BE OFFENSIVE????

[rudy6543]

Should Muslims have the right to make public calls to prayers in the US? Or would you prefer they keep that limited to their property, homes, or mosques?
Posted by rudy6543 at 06:45 PM : Dec 03, 2008

How about on private property?

Should Muslim mosques be allowed to broadcast calls to prayer on loudspeakers that can be heard across the city?

I thought we said religious expression is allowed on private property.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by txgrouch2007 at 06:55 PM

Yep, that''s what I am asking you. Is that cool with you?

[txgrouch2007]

Should Muslims have the right to make public calls to prayers in the US? Or would you prefer they keep that limited to their property, homes, or mosques?
Posted by rudy6543 at 06:45 PM : Dec 03, 2008

How about on private property?

Should Muslim mosques be allowed to broadcast calls to prayer on loudspeakers that can be heard across the city?

I thought we said religious expression is allowed on private property.