Texas: Bible Display to Promote America as Christian Nation

I've written before about the Bible displayed at Houston's court house. Since 1956 there has been a monument there prominently featuring a Bible. Many believe it appropriate and some are arguing that it supports their faith that America is a Christian Nation.

The Houston Chronicle reports:

Asked what message it was intended to send the public, Morris replied: "That he was a godly man and he lived a great life helping others." "Do you feel this is a Christian nation?" Kallinen asked. "Correct," Morris said. "That's what makes it great."

Asked if he believes all county officials should be Christians, Morris said that if they accepted Christ as their savior, "it would be better than if they were Hindus."

Former state District Judge John Devine, who led the 1995 restoration, also with private dollars, said it is "pretty clear" that America is a Christian nation. "I don't believe the separation of church and state is a constitutional doctrine," he said. Devine acknowledged that "the display of a Bible promotes religion" but added, "Many courthouses have Bibles in them."

People like this are bigots — bigots against non-Christians because they believe that being a Christian makes one a better person and more fit to hold public office than anyone else. It’s really no different than if they said the same about males, whites, or Protestants. One could claim that America is a “White Nation” or a “Protestant Nation” for the exact same reasons that people like this say America is a “Christian Nation,” but that would be more transparently bigoted. Saying that America is a Christian Nation tends to get a free pass in the media that the others wouldn’t.

Read More:

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• Separation of Church and State 101
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