2008 Woodie Awards
Tolerance key in Commandment debate
Letter to the Editor
Issue date: 2/8/07 Section: Opinions
To the Editor:
Our founding fathers did not write a 'freedom from religion' in our Constitution, nor was it ever 'implied.' They wanted us to have the same freedoms that they themselves practiced. They quoted the Bible during over 10,000 sessions, and they were all on government lands as they did so. They opened and closed every session with prayers to God, even though they all held different beliefs. Our founding fathers did not fear 'offending' others with an open show of their beliefs when they stood on government-owned lands, as the freedom of speech is an offensive thing. The freedom of speech is the freedom to debate and disagree, on any issue, even religion.
The real issue here is that tolerance is expected from those that disagree and become offended. Tolerance of others' beliefs systems and ideals. There was to be an open discussion, and representation, from all, even though they disagree. If real tolerance is being practiced then this would happen, instead of the ever wished for censorship by those that do not understand freedom of speech.
Also, since other religions are already being represented on government lands, then to not allow Christianity to be represented is discrimination. The Eye Of Horus, a Wiccan and Freemason deity from Egypt, worshiped by the New Age movement, is on our one dollar bill, and the Federal Court House in Nashville. The Obelisk, the Washington Monument, is a symbol for the Wiccan and Freemason deity Osiris from Egyptian religious beliefs, and is represented on the Murfreesboro courthouse lawn. The Statue of Liberty is the Wiccan goddess Ishtar, also from Egyptian religious beliefs. The state seals are also mostly Wiccan goddesses. The Parthenon is covered with gods and goddesses of the new age movement as well. If you do not understand these are New Age deities of Wicca and Freemasonry, contact the MTSU Student Pagan organization on campus to discuss what neo-pagan gods they worship.
It is discrimination to not allow the representations of other religions besides the freemasons', wicca, and the new age movement.
Carrie Scoggins
Bigsby Creek Rd, Cleveland, TN
Our founding fathers did not write a 'freedom from religion' in our Constitution, nor was it ever 'implied.' They wanted us to have the same freedoms that they themselves practiced. They quoted the Bible during over 10,000 sessions, and they were all on government lands as they did so. They opened and closed every session with prayers to God, even though they all held different beliefs. Our founding fathers did not fear 'offending' others with an open show of their beliefs when they stood on government-owned lands, as the freedom of speech is an offensive thing. The freedom of speech is the freedom to debate and disagree, on any issue, even religion.
The real issue here is that tolerance is expected from those that disagree and become offended. Tolerance of others' beliefs systems and ideals. There was to be an open discussion, and representation, from all, even though they disagree. If real tolerance is being practiced then this would happen, instead of the ever wished for censorship by those that do not understand freedom of speech.
Also, since other religions are already being represented on government lands, then to not allow Christianity to be represented is discrimination. The Eye Of Horus, a Wiccan and Freemason deity from Egypt, worshiped by the New Age movement, is on our one dollar bill, and the Federal Court House in Nashville. The Obelisk, the Washington Monument, is a symbol for the Wiccan and Freemason deity Osiris from Egyptian religious beliefs, and is represented on the Murfreesboro courthouse lawn. The Statue of Liberty is the Wiccan goddess Ishtar, also from Egyptian religious beliefs. The state seals are also mostly Wiccan goddesses. The Parthenon is covered with gods and goddesses of the new age movement as well. If you do not understand these are New Age deities of Wicca and Freemasonry, contact the MTSU Student Pagan organization on campus to discuss what neo-pagan gods they worship.
It is discrimination to not allow the representations of other religions besides the freemasons', wicca, and the new age movement.
Carrie Scoggins
Bigsby Creek Rd, Cleveland, TN
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 30
Stephen Hopkins
posted 2/08/07 @ 3:26 PM CST
hmmmm...let me see if I understand this correctly. It sounds like Ms. Scoggins is saying that the Freemasons are a religion, the so-called New Age Movement is a religion, and there is a conspiracy in our government to establish Wicca as our national relgion. (Continued…)
Robin
posted 2/08/07 @ 3:50 PM CST
Eye of Horus, Osirus and Ishtar are NOT Wiccan. And the Statue of Liberty is Isis, who is also not Wiccan. Please do not confuse the Neo-Pagan populous as a whole with Wicca. (Continued…)
Bob James
posted 2/08/07 @ 7:56 PM CST
As a Freemason (GL of Wisconsin) for the last 7 years, and a Wiccan priest since '89, I'd also like to correct Ms. Scoggins' misconceptions.
Freemasonry is not, has never been, and never will be a religion. (Continued…)
Stunned
posted 2/09/07 @ 4:06 PM CST
Wow. I mean... WOW.
While not surprised that it still exists in such quantities, I am saddened at the total ignorance and misinformation laden within Ms. (Continued…)
Voltaire
posted 2/09/07 @ 11:55 PM CST
I am going to presume that the writer of this letter is a student attending Middle Tennessee State University since it is being published on this website. (Continued…)
CarrieS.
CarrieScoggins
posted 2/10/07 @ 3:55 PM CST
First, there is 7 different kinds of Wicca, and yes there is no goddess excluded... The statue of Liberty is Istar and not Isis, although many confuse the two as one in the same. (Continued…)
libertarianparty
Carrie Scoggins
posted 2/11/07 @ 1:43 PM CST
[quotes siting my sources on Freemasonry-showing by their own books they worship the pagan deities on govt. lands]
Albert Pike's books, Manly P. Hall's books, and Mackey's books are said to the the foundation of the Masonic Lodge's belief system. (Continued…)
jon
posted 2/12/07 @ 4:20 PM CST
Here's a book you might enjoy on the Christianist Fascist agenda, written by a graduate of Harvard Divinity School,
?American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War on America?
http://www. (Continued…)
Jennifer Emick
posted 2/12/07 @ 4:31 PM CST
Ishtar is NOT a Wiccan Goddess, no matter how many Wiccans acknowledge or worship her. (Likewise, Jesus would be considered the God of Christianity no matter how many religions embraced him as their own)
Freemasonry is not a religion and has nop official deities of any knind- and further, the all seeing eye is a symbol, not a deity. (Continued…)
Oliveria
posted 2/12/07 @ 4:38 PM CST
The American Christianist fascist movement goes hand in hand with what many are calling "Conservative Authoritarian cultism". John Dean has written an excellent book on the subject. (Continued…)
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