Mock, Paper, Scissors

I met my sister for lunch yesterday. Señoracosa is a Catholic. I am an atheist. She told me she prays for me. I thanked her, offering my own good thoughts in return. We love each other.

It’s only recently that my sister learned of my atheism, and when she found out, she admonished me for turning my back on my father’s example. All the same, she respected my opinion because “one’s faith in God is a personal journey.”

I seized on that point. “So you don’t think religiously-based laws should be enacted?”

Señoracosa: No.

Me: And you don’t think the Constitution should be amended to include specific references to God?

Señoracosa: No. Listen up. Faith is all about the personal. It’s about wrestling with your own conscience and finding your own path to God. It’s not about control over what you believe in or how you believe it. At least for me, it’s not.

I was hoping not to take this post to a personal level, but, isn’t that what we’re really talking about here? What I’m conveying by participating in this blogswarm is not so much my desire to never live one day under theocratic rule, but to express my fears of such a life.

It doesn’t matter what faith or denomination rules the roost. As my father is fond of saying, “your rights end where another’s begin,” and under a theocratic government, your rights would end pretty quickly.

As I was running through the scenarios of the things could happen under a theocracy, I started to visualize the Constitution’s Bill of Rights, and wondered what the revised document would look like. Former Presidential candidate, Mike Huckabee came to mind, because one of his campaign pledges was this:

“…what we need to do is to amend the Constitution so it’s in God’s standards rather than try to change God’s standards.”

So here’s how I see the theocratic edits happening.

Bill of Rights

Amendment I

Congress shall make no laws respecting an establishment of religion, or but prohibiting the free exercise thereof if does not agree with the state interpretation of the Bible; or and abridging the freedom of speech, or and of the press; or and the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free the state, the rights of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III

No sSoldiers shall, in at any time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, in at any time of war, but and in any manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated if God deems it necessary., and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V

NoAll persons shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crimes against God, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor and shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb if God deems it so. ; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by a Court of Inquisition. an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

Amendment VII

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by by a Court of Inquisition jury shall be considered. preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX

The enumeration in the Bible Constitution, of certain God’s rights are absolute, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X

The All powers are God’s will and you must obey. not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

As my sister I finished our lunch, she re-iterated her intention to keep praying for me. I thanked her again. But before we parted company she stopped me and quoted Matthew 7:3 “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

It’s a fair question to ask. But I have to wonder if under a theocracy, even the universal truths of humankind like the one she quoted would be allowed. Probably not. But if we don’t notice the logs in our eyes, pull them out, and visualize what life under a theocratic rule will bring, we’ll have no one to blame but ourselves when the phrase “Under God” translates into a jack boot pressing your face to the pavement.

(Cross Posted at My Saturday Evening Post)

For more information on the issues that impact all our lives (Including why Separation is Vital to Democracy), please check out First Freedom First.

While you’re at it, please take a moment to read the other posts in the Blogswarm.

This entry was posted on Friday, March 21st, 2008 at 7:57 pm by Spartacus and is filed under Blog Against Theocracy, First Amendment. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.