U.S. House okays resolution recognizing Christianity, Christmas

[Soldier4Christ]

U.S. House okays resolution recognizing Christianity, Christmas

Thanks to the efforts of an Iowa congressman, Christmas and the Christian faith are receiving the same congressional recognition afforded other religions.

Representative Steve King (R-Iowa) is pleased that his Christmas resolution, recognizing the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith, was able to pass on Tuesday night with bipartisan support. H. Res. 847 passed on a 372-9 vote, all "nay" votes coming from Democrats. Ten House members (nine Democratic) voted "present."

The Iowa lawmaker says the resolution follows two similar bills honoring both the Hindu and the Islamic religions and their respective holidays.

"Watching Congress honor Islam during Ramadan, and also Diwali, which is a Hindu holiday, brought it home to me that we were doing that and not honoring Christianity," King shares. "I'm Christian by faith and most of us are in Congress." As are the majority of Americans, three-fourths of whom King says identify themselves as Christians.

"This nation has about 225 million Christians out of the 300 million, and about two billion Christians throughout the world," he states. "And the foundations of this nation are a Christian foundation [and] our founders were Christian. So for us to move forward towards Christmas without honoring Christ is, I think, a great omission, especially if we're going to honor other religions."

The text of the resolution recognizes the Christian faith as "one of the great religions of the world," and acknowledges the role played by Christians and Christianity in the founding of the United States and the formation of Western civilization.

King says it was important to get the resolution passed because Congress is scheduled to adjourn very soon for the Christmas recess and will not return until mid-January. He also indicates he is pleased that Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi did not try to stop a vote on the bill.

[Soldier4Christ]

Dems: Amen to Ramadan,
but forget about Christmas 
9 House members praise Islamic faith,
won't recognize Christian observance

Only weeks after voting for a resolution that "recognizes the Islamic faith as one of the great religions of the world," nine Democrats in the U.S. House refused to vote for a Christmas resolution that condemns the worldwide persecution of Christians.

U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., was on the list of those who endorsed the statement recognizing Islam, but refused to support the Christmas resolution that noted the holiday "is celebrated annually by Christians throughout the United States and around the world."

The Christmas resolution, like the Ramadan resolution, decried the violence that targets religion around the world.

A spokesman for DeGette told WND her vote was because the Ramadan resolution, which she endorsed, was about "rejecting religious extremism and promoting of religious tolerance."

The spokesman, Chris Aaron, however, said DeGette is a "strong supporter of separation of church and state and her view was that Congress should not favor one religion over another.

"She felt this resolution (recognizing Christmas and condemning persecution of Christians) promoted Christianity over other religions," he told WND.

Other Democrats who supported the acknowledgment of Islam's Ramadan but refused a similar recognition for Christianity's Christmas included Gary Ackerman and Yvette Clarke of N.Y., Alcee Hastings, Fla., Barbara Lee, Fortney Stark and Lynn Woolsey, Calif., Jim McDermott, Wash., and Robert Scott, Va.

Both resolutions, carrying similar wording, ultimately were approved. But the American Family Association of Pennsylvania also raised the issue of representatives supporting Ramadan, but refusing to offer the same support for Christmas.

"We are very pleased that 17 of our 19 congressmen voted to recognize the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith. Congressman John Murtha was one of 40 who did not vote and unfortunately Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz decided to simply vote 'present' rather than take a stand on such a controversial issue as Christmas," said Diane Gramley, president.

She noted on Oct. 2, Schwartz "did not hesitate" to vote for a resolution support the religion "of the 19 hijackers of 9/11 who brought down the World Trade Center, flew their airliner/missile into the Pentagon, and caused the death of the crew and passengers of Flight 93 as it crashed into a field outside Shanksville, Pa."

"I believe there are more Christians in her district than Muslims and they deserve an explanation for her vote last night," Gramley said.

According to Liberty Counsel, the Christmas resolution was approved with nine "no" votes. Ten others voted "present" and 40 refused to vote at all.

"Amazingly, all but two of the representatives who answered "present" or voted against the Christmas resolution voted in favor of a resolution recognizing Ramadan, even though much of the language was similar," the group said.

The Ramadan resolution began:

    Whereas Ramadan is the holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal for Muslims worldwide, and is the 9th month of the Muslim calendar year; and Whereas the observance of the Islamic holy month of Ramandan commenced at dusk on September 13, 2007, and continues for one lunar month: …"

The Christmas resolution started:

    Whereas Christmas, a holiday of great significance to Americans and many other cultures and nationalities, is celebrated annually by Christians throughout the United States and the world... Whereas on December 25 of each calendar year, American Christians observe Christmas, the holiday celebrating the birth of their savior, Jesus Christ...Whereas many Christians and non-Christians throughout the United States and the rest of the world, celebrate Christmas as a time to serve others:"

The Ramadan resolution then acknowledged "the Islamic faith as one of the great religions of the world," expressed "friendship and support for Muslims," noted "the onset of Ramadan," and rejected "hatred, bigotry, and violence directed against Muslims." It also "commends Muslims … who have privately and publicly rejected interpretations and movements of Islam that justify and encourage hatred."

The Christmas resolution continued to acknowledge "the Christian faith as one of the great religions of the world," expressed "continued support for Christians," noted the historical importance of Christmas, the role "played by Christians and Christianity in the founding of the United States," and rejected "bigotry and persecution directed against Christians, both in the United States and worldwide."

"Notice that the Christmas resolution uses similar language. It is astonishing that those who supported the Ramadan Resolution would vote against the Christmas Resolution," Liberty Counsel said.

The group suggested voters check the lists for votes by their representatives. "If they voted against Christmas and in favor of Ramadan, respectfully point out their hypocrisy," the group said.

Concerned Women for America said the true message of Christmas is under assault in the U.S. Shari Rendall, director of the group's legislation and public policy divisions, noted Congress earlier approved not only the endorsement of Ramadan but also another resolution concern the Hindu religion.

"It astounds me that any member of Congress would oppose legislation that recognizes the important of Christmas in our country, particularly in light of the fact that earlier this year Congress passed two separate resolutions honoring the Hindu and Islamic religions…"

[Brother Jerry]

My opinion is that they should have tossed out any and all resolutions like that.  It is not the role of government to recognize one religion over another...or to not even recognize a religion period.  You could worship sheep and it would be the role of government to simply say "Ok fill out the paperwork, and follow the guidelines and you can go worship sheep"

The role of government is to ensure that we have the free practice of our religion.  Congress' ability to recognize a religion should be limited to finding out if they filled out the applicable paper work and fall into the guidelines.

[Soldier4Christ]

Herein lies the problem. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"

Yet there are those that claim a religion that violates many other laws. i.e. drugs, murder, stealing, rape, sex orgies (the list goes on)

Should Congress allow those to do the same? Should they rescind those laws in those cases because it is prohibiting them from "the free exercise thereof"? These are the arguments that have been and are being used by many today. The secularists are using it in the aspect that they are not free to pursue their belief of no God because of the influences of Christianity. (The reason to get God, prayer and Bible out of the public eye.) Others say that the IRS should not be breathing down any religions neck determining what is said and done from their pulpit. Where do we draw the line?

Personally, I go back to the fact that this nation was founded on Christian principles and those laws were formulated to prevent these other atrocities of mankind against God. Those laws were made to prevent any certain denomination of the Christian religion from being in control of the government (i.e. Baptist, Catholic, Methodist, etc.). Not all of these pagan religions that wish to do harm to or to control others with their religion.

Congress' ability to recognize a religion should be limited to finding out if they filled out the applicable paper work and fall into the guidelines.

What should those guidelines be and just how far should they go with those guidelines?

[Brother Jerry]

The guidelines are established actually... Old L. Ron had to change some things in his Scientology in order to get it to be classified as a religion...thus the spirit ascending to a different plane and coming back as a super being or some silly stuff.

I agree that the IRS should have no control over the status of a church, religion or whatever...they should only take care of the money.  And NO ONE in government should dictate what can or cannot be said in a pulpit, unless obviously insighting violence or threat of other felony.

And we have to remember that although our founding fathers were heavily influenced by their Christian values they also recognized religion as it is.  The establishment clause states "religion" not "the worship of God" so it stands for all religions.    And the religion must also follow into the laws of the land as well...as in no human sacrifices, sacrifices in general are out if they cost the life of something.

So based on that a Muslim is free to come to this country and not fear government persecution for practicing Islam, unless he goes to cause a felony because of the religion.  Then there are problems.

[Soldier4Christ]

Conservative lawmaker says Christmas resolution ran afoul of Constitution

The only Republican in the U.S. House who chose not to vote in favor of a resolution supporting Christmas and Christianity says his strict adherence to the Constitution was the deciding factor.

Earlier this week, nine House members voted against the resolution sponsored by Steve King (R-Iowa); and ten members, including Mike Pence (R-Indiana), chose to simply vote "present." Pence says although he is a Bible-believing Christian and Christmas is his favorite holiday, his "struggle" with the King resolution was the same struggle that caused him to vote "present" on a House resolution honoring Ramadan in early October.

The Indiana Republican says a statement in the Ramadan resolution declaring Islam "one of the great religions of the world" went beyond the purview of Congress under the First Amendment's Establishment Clause.

"[As] something of a constitutional student over the years, it's my judgment that Congress should not be making value judgments on religions," Pence protests. " And so I voted 'present' on the Ramadan resolution -- neither for nor against, but just registered my dissent from Congress making that kind of value judgment. And as uncomfortable as it was for me, as a Christian, I thought it was important that I be consistent and fair."

According to Pence, "If we are not willing to apply the provisions of the Bill of Rights restraining Congress when it might benefit our own faith, some day in the future we may not have those constraints that serve as a protector against government intrusion." Two of the representatives who did not vote in favor of the Christmas resolution supported the Ramadan resolution.