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Mississippi Officials Need a Civics Lesson on Constitution DayIn my recent blog post about the ACLU’s lawsuit against the State of Mississippi for promoting religion in a state-sponsored and state-funded event, I pondered whether Mississippi thinks the Constitution doesn’t apply to them. Apparently, Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant doesn’t think it does. Early this week, the lieutenant governor commented on the ACLU’s case, saying: I was so disappointed that the ACLU has decided that we don’t need to tell young women in the state of Mississippi about our faith; we don’t need to explain to them that abstinence, we believe, is related to our faithful Christianity beliefs. If you are like me and cannot believe that a state official would basically admit to violating the Constitution, you can see for yourself by watching the lieutenant governor utter those words in an interview.
There are so many things wrong with his sentence, I don’t even know where to start. First, the lieutenant governor’s remarks show no respect for the First Amendment, which prohibits the government from supporting one religion or another. Mississippi clearly crossed the line when it featured Christian prayers, sermons, and performances in its 2009 abstinence-only summit. Second, it is revealing that the lieutenant governor believes that we need to tell “young women” that they should remain abstinent until marriage. This is the age-old — and sexist — double standard that dictates that women and girls must be the gatekeepers of sex, and are solely responsible for the consequences. Instead of reinforcing these outdated gender stereotypes, we should be providing all teens with the tools they need to make healthy and responsible decisions. Tomorrow, September 17, is Constitution Day — perhaps the lieutenant governor and other state officials should take a moment and study the First Amendment, so in the future they can ensure that they don’t promote government-sponsored, taxpayer-funded religious activities, and reinforce outmoded gender stereotypes in the process.
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Sep 16th, 2009 at 3:57pm
Great job Mississippi! It's great to finally see someone standing up to an organization that is bent on the destruction of the "free exercise" clause of the 1st amendment. The ACLU is all for religious freedom, providing we keep our beliefs within the four-wall confines of our church buildings. I support the Alliance Defense Fund, whose client truelly is the Bill Of Rights.
Sep 16th, 2009 at 10:23pm
I used to think to myself< How can a loving God create a HELL? Well that was until I found out how much the ACLU hates God. Well it really only hates the Christian God. They never criticize muslims or Allah. Basically they are cowards and are afraid they would be beheaded if they did.
The ACLU lies and distorts American history. Our country was founded on Judeo-Christian beliefs no matter how many times the Jesus hating, atheistic jews at the ACLU say otherwise.
Sep 17th, 2009 at 10:02am
Why is telling people about such things unconstitutional. You are advocating doing away with the first amendment. You want to allow gay and straight clubs to have the right to form. If people feel that way, be it. You are even worse by saying a person has Christian beliefs they should be censored. What do you really believe? Why do seem to detest Chrisitians and Christianity? Please don't tell me you don't because it is very evident.
Sep 17th, 2009 at 12:07pm
That is the Lt. Governor's opinion. Opinion's are neither right or wrong. Just as your opinion is neither right or wrong. It is an opinion. However your sentence about the girl being solely responsible for the consequences. It is still true today. The girl/her family/State is left holding the baby. And that is after years of having sex education in school. Doesn't seem like they are listening to anyone.
Sep 17th, 2009 at 5:00pm
The ACLU needs to study the Constitution on Constitution day. A tyranical minority may not censor the freedom of belief, and the expression of that belief, by any American.
Fight back Mississippi.
Sep 17th, 2009 at 5:28pm
Technically, the First Amendment prohibits supporting religion per se. If the Founders meant to prohibit "supporting one religion over another", the Amendment would say "...a religion." It instead says "...religion." It's a thoroughly secular Constitution, even down to that missing 'a'! Good job, ACLU
Sep 17th, 2009 at 7:43pm
I just read a horrific story about the two guys who said a prayer at a luncheon. Let me say to the ACLU, God help your soul!
There are far worse things for people to worry about in case you haven't looked around you lately. Instead of wasting the Americans, who believe in God, money on courtroom cost, find something that might actually change the world.
I am sure if you took a poll, you will find that ther are more people who believe than you who don't care.
How are my rights being protected?
I will be praying for you!
Sep 17th, 2009 at 10:40pm
I grew up in Mississippi, but am eternally thankful to have moved on. But, my high school civics teacher, Frances Savage, was extraordinary. Yes, she was Caucasian, but 40% of my school wasn't, and I was 1 of 7 white kids on my large bus. She drilled into all of our heads that the majority had a responsibility to protect the rights of minorities, among many other great lessons. I suppose indirectly, she's a reason I couldn't stay in that theocracy. Mrs. Savage, you definitely made a constructive impact on us, and the world is better for it. If only the Lt. Gov had been in your class....
Sep 18th, 2009 at 3:19am
The first amendment to the Federal Constitution applies to the Federal government in particular.
The State of Mississippi has a State's right to inform young women that abstinence from sex before marriage is a christian value; especially when they are using state funds to do so.
Whether the young women will heed the advice is another matter.
Sep 18th, 2009 at 4:43am
I think you just barely fell short of the point, Maggie. Yes, the Lt. Governer's opinion is his, but he is a public servant. So if his opinons violate the constitution and are going to sway actions in such a way as to deny basics rights to those he's serving, then perhaps its time he thought about a change of career.
Really, though, its about more than just him denying rights, its about the state of Mississippi using tax dollars to promote religious organizations and being quite up-front about it, thinking they're doing nothing wrong. Might not seem like a big deal at first, but what about the non-Christian tax-payers in the state that are p.o.ed about their money sponsoring this.
Sep 18th, 2009 at 6:50am
ACLU Acorn same same
Sep 18th, 2009 at 11:20am
Thank you ACLU for standing up for the Bill of Rights, which has all too often been misused by one or the other segment of our society.
Religions, ALL OF THEM have no place in governance. We are a democracy and NOT a theocracy. It is also puzzling why it is always the evangelical christians who get their bloomers in a bunch. There are after all countless other "religions" out there, each one as legitimate as the next under the Bill of Rights' 1st amendment. Yet it is Christians who make the loudest noise, wanting their particular way of worship to be the standard. Christians, if your faith needs this "special treatment" by the government, maybe your teachings and faith aren't all that is advertised. Any religion needing "government support or sponsorship to survive isn't worth following in the first place.
As far as abstinence only is concerned, IT DOES NOT WORK! A study showed that girls enrolled in abstinence only sex-mis-educatipon have higher rates of pregnancy, higher out of wedlock child birth, higher incidence of VD and are more likely to engage in anal and/or oral sex.
Greg Williams, proud card carrying member!
Sep 18th, 2009 at 1:48pm
ACLU like a snake in the grass, ready to strike again at the next innocent passerby.
Sep 19th, 2009 at 2:08pm
you said it acorn aclu same thing for sure! whats wrong with christianity? the athiest aways get their way and it ticks me off. i would love to be standing next to you when the rapture comes . you would be frothing at the mouth you god hating bastards! i hate you because you are sooooo ignorant! let people alone . you want to take the crosses off the graves who the hell do you think y ou are? you have no right to even think that way ,. SNAP OUT OF IT AND LEAVE PEOPLE ALONE AND LET THEM WORSHIP GOD AND YOU BETTER CHANGE YOUR WAY OF THINKING OR YOU ARE GOING TO HELL STUPID and i hope you burn for eternity and YOU WILL HA HA HA HA
Sep 20th, 2009 at 1:45pm
The fanatics love to whine when they can't use the state to shove their warped Fundementalism down everyone's throats but I don't think they would like it if the state was promoting any other religion than their own.
Sep 20th, 2009 at 3:14pm
Thank you for this wonderful well thought out piece.
Sep 20th, 2009 at 3:52pm
The Christians are the ones making all the noise because that is the only religion that the ACLU attacks. Read the news before you post.
Sep 21st, 2009 at 11:56am
ACLU, are you doing good things? Will you ask your heart that question and listen for the answer?
Sep 21st, 2009 at 11:57am
No where in the Constitution does it us the word Democracy. We are a Republic.
Sep 21st, 2009 at 12:53pm
liberal hater "Jesus hating, atheistic jews at the ACLU"? Good one, LOL
Sep 21st, 2009 at 5:52pm
I see what the problem really is. The Christians on this message board hate Jews. Are you saying Jews aren't citizens? That in Mississippi, Jews should be kicked out because they're not Christians? Sorry to inform you, Jews have as much rights as Christians. I'm a citizen and even though you wish I was dead (like that one Pastor wishes Obama was) I'm not. Sorry.
Sep 21st, 2009 at 9:48pm
I think the aclu needs to be done away with, They have completely and utterly disgraced the constitution and what Separation of Church and State actually means. Seriously, The majority of the american Population Believes in Jesus Christ, the constitution protects religious rights, and the fact that organizations like the ACLU come in and say that speaking about your Faith in a school setting or in Government is unconstitutional, is totally messed up. Organizations like the ACLU is why american government is screwed up, I thought that America was founded UNDER GOD! thats not a suggestion, it is how the founding Fathers wanted it to be.
Sep 22nd, 2009 at 1:32pm
Jake, I suggest that you sit in on a college civics class some day. You might find out that the UNDER GOD phrase is a recent addition.
The courts have consistently held that the State, through any of its representatives, including public school teachers and lieutenant governors, cannot give the appearance of favoring one religion over another (or none). That the majority of the population believes in one family of religions does not change our founders intent. After all, our European founders came here because one branch of Christianity in control of the government was persecuting another and they decided not to allow that mistake to be repeated.
Nothing is stopping an individual who is not a representative of the State from speaking about his or her faith.
Sep 28th, 2009 at 5:08pm
It doesn't matter how much the aclu takes God out of America, They cannot erase God for I know that he is real and is coming to get us anyday. To the christians, don't be discouraged about the aclu but your and my faith can make a difference. People may try to prove that God doesnt existence but they are blind to the fact that God is real if they would only believe.
God Bless everyone non-christians and christians and keep praying!
Sep 29th, 2009 at 10:15am
Trust me this is a hoot.
http://beauproductions.com/usworld/forum/index.php?topic=193.msg112 1#msg1121
Oct 7th, 2009 at 11:14am
What about the BABY'S Constitutional RIGHT TO LIFE?????
Oct 7th, 2009 at 11:18am
How about teaching the BOYS about abstenance????
And while you're at it, get that butt-jiggling garbage off of MTV.
Teach the kids some respect for themselves and others.
Nov 7th, 2009 at 6:54pm
let him be its ok to have 1 nation under god and in god we trust
Nov 9th, 2009 at 8:57am
There is no law the prohibits a State from endorsing or expressing a religion. The people that have been elected into the State government are still protected by THEIR constitutional right to freedom of religion. The 1st amendment says the CONGRESS SHALL MAKE NO LAW.....period.
Nov 13th, 2009 at 1:59pm
anon #29, you are correct that our elected and appointed representatives are free to hold whatever religious beliefs they desire. The courts have repeatedly interpreted the Constitution to prohibit the State - Federal, State, County, Municipal, School District, etc. - and its representatives from showing any bias toward any religion or no religion.
Believe what you want as an individual. Keep your beliefs to yourself when you are a representative of the State. The difference is subtle, but clear.
Nov 13th, 2009 at 2:11pm
anon #29, you are correct that our elected and appointed representatives are free to hold whatever religious beliefs they desire. The courts have repeatedly interpreted the Constitution to prohibit the State - Federal, State, County, Municipal, School District, etc. - and its representatives from showing any bias toward any religion or no religion.
Believe what you want as an individual. Keep your beliefs to yourself when you are a representative of the State. The difference is subtle, but clear.
Nov 15th, 2009 at 2:01pm
Hate to break it to you ACLU, but the lieutenant governor is correct & you are wrong. Very wrong.
Nov 15th, 2009 at 2:01pm
Hate to break it to you ACLU, but the lieutenant governor is correct & you are wrong. Very wrong.