Glenn,
Easy, friend. The country was founded, at least in part, by people who
came here to practice their religion freely. People who would leave their
homelands and make such a perilous trip (in those days) must have had
pretty strong beliefs. Let them rest in peace. The Mayflower Compact was
a specific group - not the present general population - some 379 years
ago.
I believe our country was founded on Christian beliefs - not necessarily on
Christianity. Many beliefs are universal among religions. As you note,
there’s not a single faith listed in the Constitution regardless of the specific
beliefs of the founders. That speaks well of them! Note they also forbade
any “official” belief.
I agree politicians should not preach their specific faith but, with the
exception of the reference to Jesus Christ, the good sheriff’s comments are
pretty universal among religions - including Islam. Note that he was
bemoaning a fact he perceived - not requiring his “posse” to become
Christians.
As far as a public official abiding by his religion, my comment would be,
“Cool!”, if that means he sticks to universal concepts of decency.
However, as you note, when he becomes “faith specific” (if that’s a term
we can coin?) we may have a problem.
------
Dog3,
We agree on so much, and disagree on so little, that I see no problem in
practice.
As far as CHLs, I’m against them on the basis of our Second Amendment.
However, I support them because:
- CHLs provide an opportunity to prove to all concerned parties that guns
don’t make crime any more than stink makes garbage.
- my CHL is NOT a get-out-of-jail free card, but it shows the nice officer
that I’ve gone through the same background check as the State Troopers.
Therefore, he is dealing with an honest man who screwed up rather than a
long-time felon.
- as a CHL Instructor I had the opportunity to bring many people into the
gun fraternity who previously were non-believers. (Sorry
just *had* to
say it that way!!! )
- I was able to get some fine training at little cost (from the Texas
Department of Public Safety).
- I’ve been able to meet some fine people because of the CHL program.
- my CHL eliminates the point of illegal carrying if (God forbid) I ever have
to use that .45.
I agree many laws violate the Constitution but being in violation of those
illegal laws would work against me and my family in a time of need.
Like you, I am working to eliminate these illegal laws. You may have
noticed. (
)
------------------
Either you believe in the Second Amendment or you don't.
Stick it to 'em!
RKBA!
[This message has been edited by Dennis (edited December 23, 1999).]