Under state law, God is Kentucky's first line of defense against terrorism.
The 2006 law organizing the state Office of Homeland Security lists its initial duty as "stressing the dependence on Almighty God as being vital to the security of the Commonwealth."
Specifically, Homeland Security is ordered to publicize God's benevolent protection in its reports, and it must post a plaque at the entrance to the state Emergency Operations Center with an 88-word statement that begins, "The safety and security of the Commonwealth cannot be achieved apart from reliance upon Almighty God."
State Rep. Tom Riner, a Southern Baptist minister, tucked the God provision into Homeland Security legislation as a floor amendment that lawmakers overwhelmingly approved two years ago.
As amended, Homeland Security's religious duties now come before all else, including its distribution of millions of dollars in federal grants and its analysis of possible threats.
60 comments
Aren't the Gods supposed to help those that help themselves?
If there is a God, wouldn't SHE start getting pissed at people who expect her to do stuff that they can do on their own? I know I would.
"Under state law, God is Kentucky's first line of defense against terrorism."
Isn't Homeland Security the first line of defense against terrorism?
"Specifically, Homeland Security is ordered to publicize God's benevolent protection in its reports, and it must post a plaque at the entrance to the state Emergency Operations Center with an 88-word statement that begins, "The safety and security of the Commonwealth cannot be achieved apart from reliance upon Almighty God."
Church and state are separate, last I checked. Why would they publicize 'God's benevolent protection' in their reports, or post a plaque with that drivel smeared on it ANYWHERE on a state building?
*HEADDESK* *HEADDESK* *HEADDESK*
Ow.
"The safety and security of the Commonwealth cannot be achieved apart from reliance upon Almighty God."
That's what they said during the Plague, and it killed a third of the population of Europe. Do they intend to march around the borders of the state carrying the Ark of the New Covenant and praying to Jesus, like they did in the Middle Ages?
image
Procession of St. Gregory around the City of Rome (left page, Tres Riches Heures)
Aw, man. I live in Kentucky, too. We're fucked. I guess the only thing saving us from al-Qaeda is that they'll take this seriously, believing as they do in the same sky fairy as Tom Riner.
*groan* Southern Baptists. Can't live with them... And that's about it.
Btw, the satanist demonic thinkers have defeated uber troll troy brooks. Baby satan weeps in joy :). May the 1,000 year reign of fstdt peace begin!
X-Acto Dyke: Yeah. Let's have all the smart people leave KY, as you say.
Then let's nuke it. Hehehe. Hahahaha. AHAHAHAHAHA! HAAAA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
...
If you'll excuse me, I'll be in my volcano lair.
Specifically, Homeland Security is ordered to publicize God's benevolent protection in its reports, and it must post a plaque at the entrance to the state Emergency Operations Center with an 88-word statement that begins, "The safety and security of the Commonwealth cannot be achieved apart from reliance upon Almighty God."
Either the building beyond that sign is utterly empty, or the words on it are.
So if Kentucky's attacked, Homeland Security will bow their heads in prayer?
We're paying how much for this service?
Give me an atheist with a rifle and day. Much more effective.
@John: "carrying the Ark of the New Covenant"? The Middle Ages were Catholic, and there's a Catholic belief that Mary was the Ark of the New Covenant (as she carried Jesus the embodiment of the New Covenant, just as the Ark carried the Old Covenant).
"God is Kentucky's first line of defense against terrorism."
Never mind the fact that if God exists he could get rid of terrorism when ever he wants. If he refuses to do so because of free will then there's no reason he'd do anything to stop it at all since he'd still be interfering with free will.
TBH: I'd _love_ to see a series of attacks against Kentucky now. None which kill innocents of course, but which cuase lots of economical doodoo or are just scary (like in the book Skogland where a bomb detonates in walking distance of parliament) that way we'd all see how our glorious God protects us (hint: not at all)
"The 2006 law organizing the state Office of Homeland Security lists its initial duty as "stressing the dependence on Almighty God as being vital to the security of the Commonwealth." "
My god can beat up your allah.
So...
God is helping protect Americans against terrorism...
By siting his HQ in Kentucky...
Not helping out by "I don't know, saving people in Mumbai"/"capturing Bin Laden"?
I'm not a constitutional lawyer or student, but I don't think the 1st Ammendment pertains to states establishing a religion because 1) it specifically says "congress" and 2) it's at the federal level. Unless the state constitution itself has a provision like the 1st A., I don't think this state law can be considered unconstitutional at the federal level.
Now, it seems pretty foolish to me to put the security and freedom of US citizens into an intangible (and possibly non-existent) entity like God. Seems like wishful thinking at its worst.
State Rep. Tom Riner, a Southern Baptist minister, tucked the God provision into Homeland Security legislation as a floor amendment that lawmakers overwhelmingly approved
Yeah well, this is what happens when the government knee-jerks into action as a result of 9/11. I'm sure Riner saw this coming to pass and added the rider confident in its ultimate ratification.
"This is recognition that government alone cannot guarantee the perfect safety of the people of Kentucky," Riner said. "Government itself, apart from God, cannot close the security gap. The job is too big for government."
Who will close said gaps?!?! And, more importantly, who will be blamed (and subsequently sued) when a gap allows for terrorist act to happen?
The article is in error on one important fact:
The law does not list the stressing of God as an initial duty of the KY Office of Homeland Security itself. It lists it as the initial duty of the Executive Director. While I think this is wrong, there is a distinct difference.
@Marcus #842036
The sticking point comes in with the 14th Amendment, Section 1:
Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
Basically the "No State shall make or enforce any law..." clause means that no State can establish a State religion, and should also mean all the rest of the Constitutional guarantees can not be abridged at a State level. Whether they have
God is Kentucky's first line of defense against terrorism.
Shit, this almost makes me want to attack Kentucky. I say "almost" - I wouldn't go down there to get my mother out of jail. I'll send her bus fare, but damn if I'm going. (To paraphrase Redd Foxx)
Confused?
So were we! You can find all of this, and more, on Fundies Say the Darndest Things!
To post a comment, you'll need to Sign in or Register . Making an account also allows you to claim credit for submitting quotes, and to vote on quotes and comments. You don't even need to give us your email address.
