This is well written. I would only diagree with one thing. It is the faith of all religions and non religious people that makes America great. We are a great nation because we believe in freedom. A
few years ago, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that "God"
has no place in the Pledge of Allegiance. More recently, anti-Christian
activists have made significant headway in their effort to take Christ
out of Christmas, even convincing people to replace the Christmas tree
with the religion-neutral "holiday tree."
Closer to home, in Canyon County, a vocal handful of people even
protested a little tiny cross on the county seal, even though the seal
provides an accurate illustration that is entirely representative of
the community. Opponents of Christianity and faith in general are
working overtime to sell their incorrect notion that our sacred freedom
of religion means our country is supposed to be free from religion. Some people say it is wrong for me to speak in defense of
the importance of Christianity's role in our country's founding and it
continuing significance to the life of our nation. They think it is
wrong for me to say that Christian values and Christian principles have
guided America from its inception and will continue to serve our
country in the future.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion and to the freedom to express it.
But I am not embarrassed by my conviction that Christian beliefs have
been essential to our country's well-being, and those of you who agree
with me have no reason to be ashamed, either.
I'm also a disappointed that my comments in support of Christianity and
religious freedom have been taken out of context as insulting people of
other faiths. People on my staff have diverse faiths, as do people
throughout Idaho.
It is sad when desperate politicians pull statements out of context to
score political points and degrade public discourse by doing so. I have
taken a solemn oath to defend the rights of my constituents of all
faiths so that they will remain free to practice their respective
religions in this country.
But by my oath I did not give up my freedom of speech that allows me to
express my belief in the importance of Christian faith to our nation's
heritage and future. I believe very strongly that Christianity has made
and continues to make our country strong and that the God of the Bible
has blessed our country and offers us His divine protection. Others may
argue just as strenuously that their particular religion - be it
Hinduism or Buddhism, Islam or Vodooism - makes this country great, and
they are free to do so. I won't agree with that assessment, but I will
defend their right to practice their faith and share their opinion
publicly. Freedom of speech and freedom of religion are pillars of our
constitutional government.
None of this distracts me from working to reform Congress and get our
government back to basics: Low taxes, a powerful national defense, a
limited role for Uncle Sam in the lives of our fellow citizens and a
well-functioning immigration policy. Reforming Congress will go along
way toward getting our nation back on track. But no amount of reform
will help unless we remember and adhere to the principles that started
our country and made it great. Those principles - human dignity,
justice and liberty - are rooted in Judeo-Christian teaching. To
disregard that teaching is to undermine the very foundations of our
liberty, which we only do to our great peril.
William T. "Bill" Sali, represents Idaho's First Congressional District.
By Bill Sali
Saturday, August 25, 2007
U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia speaks on civil
liberties at an ACLU Membership Conference, Sunday Oct. 15, 2006 in
Washington. (AP Photo/Chris Greenberg)
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