Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

In the 17th century, most American colonies supported official religions with public revenues, and laws required residents to attend church services. The framers of the Constitution drafted the Establishment Clause to ensure that there would be no official national religion. The addition of the words, "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance, placed directly after the words, "One Nation." would certainly seem to fly in the face of the framers intent. Adding poignancy to that contradiction and further illustrating an indifference toward the First Amendment, this addition was as a result of Congressional action at the behest of the Knights of Columbus.

In the famous words of Thomas Jefferson, the Constitution erects a "wall of separation" between church and state. The First Amendment's Establishment Clause and Free Exercise Clause serve as the principle bulwarks against government intrusion in religious life.

Thomas Jefferson, in his infinite wisdom foresaw the great importance of that wall. There have been those who will ignore Jefferson's sagacity to find a swinging door within that wall. Worse yet, there exists amongst us, the religious fanatics who see that door as one way IN.

These are the words spoken by a man of God. Today our government stands invaded by the slow, subtle, deceptive and cunning intrusions of religion. They have imposed themselves and their particular religious beliefs into our government policies that touch many aspects of our private lives and the rights with which we were endowed.

Long before the horrific attacks of September 11th on our Nation, I have felt increasing alarm at what I feel is a slow suffocation of our rights as free individuals by religious fanaticism. The aftermath of that dreadful Tuesday in September has vindicated my alarm. It began only days after the attacks, while America was still reeling in shock, grief and overwhelming pain. Two religious fanatics and prominent evangelical proponents swooped down on America's pain and vulnerability in hopes of "easy pickings."

Television evangelists Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, pronounced that "liberal civil liberties groups, feminists, homosexuals and abortion rights supporters bear partial responsibility for Tuesday's terrorist attacks" because their actions have "turned God's anger against America." Mr. Falwell extended the blame to all of America in his statement, "God continues to lift the curtain and allow the enemies of America to give us probably what we deserve," insinuating that as long as America tolerates such diversity it should share blame in the horror. To any decent American who has not lost common sense and rationale to the blind dedication of his or her particular religious beliefs, these comments will illicit disgust and admonishment. To take the overwhelming grief felt in the heart of every sane American, and to use that vulnerable state in order that they might advance their religious convictions and political aspirations, is nothing short of emotional rape. Furthermore, such deplorable statements made with respect to a free America may also be considered treachery.

The statements made by Falwell and Robertson received a swift public response of retribution, but they show no remorse. The religious fanatics continue to use fear in the hopes of recruiting new subscribers over to their sanctified doctrine. Only last night, in an effort to keep watch over evil, I listened to the abominable rhetoric continue when, on the evangelical television program The 700 Club, Pat Robertson told his audience, ""until we are repentant, the worst is yet to come." (The 700 Club, televised 10/23/01) I would suggest that Americans harboring any modicum of Patriotism within their hearts will consider these vindictive remarks as terroristic threats.

To sign the petition requesting a Presidential public admonishment for the statements made by Falwell and Robertson; go to: ACTION AGENDA

My concern is. having witnessed the deterioration of our Bill of Rights through the misguided fear promoted in the War on Drugs, I am anxious that the War on Terrorism will have the same caustic effect on this most precious document. While Law Enforcement and Politicians have propagated the fear leading to the erosion of our rights in the War on Drugs, religious fanatics have already begun to show a propensity to use such fear to promote their agendas in the War on Terrorism. In specific, they focus their efforts on strangling the words in the First Amendment. Bolstering my fears is the fact that the current administration has already displayed a willingness to allow religious intrusion into government and impose religious beliefs upon the masses.

Very early into his administration, President Bush introduced his "Faith Based Initiative" to the Country in response to America's need for social programs. Such a proposal is a flagrant disregard for the First Amendment and the separation between Church and State for which it calls. Should anyone consider that this proposal does not violate the First Amendment, consider the following:

In 1987 the Salvation Army fired an employee based upon her religious beliefs. Kellam Dodge, the employee, took the matter to court and won. The Salvation Army is a religious denomination that every year receives millions of taxpayer dollars to run social service programs. Can a religious group take tax aid and still discriminate on the basis of religion in hiring? With President George W. Bush's "faith-based initiative" moving on Capitol Hill, the answer to that question may be yes. In 1811, President James Madison vetoed a bill that gave federal sanction to a church that provided aid and education to the poor. Madison, widely regarded as the "Father of the Constitution," rejected the measure on First Amendment grounds because it "exceeds the rightful authority to which governments are limited by the essential distinction between civil and religious functions." Sadly, the First Amendment has not stood the test of time. In 2001, President Bush not only proposes federal sanction, but acquiesces behind the scenes to the demands of religious institutions that they be permitted to continue their discriminatory hiring practices even though they would receive federal money.

In July, The Washington Post reported that Salvation Army officials had been working behind the scenes with top advisors to the Bush administration to ensure that the Army would have the right to discriminate under the faith-based initiative while retaining its government subsidy. In return, Salvation Army officials agreed to give the proposal a high-profile endorsement. Vice Pres. Cheney responded to this news revelation, ""A key part of the president's faith-based initiative is to make certain that in order to acquire, or to participate in providing these social services with government funds, we not require fundamental changes in the underlying principles and organizing doctrines,� of the organizations that participate."

The initiative, now a bill passed through congress and referred to the Senate, is called the Community Solutions Act (H.R.7). It includes language that will allow "faith-based" organizations to continue their discriminatory hiring practices while receiving federal tax dollars. While it may state that government funds should not be used for worship or proselytization, meaningful safeguards to prevent such action are not included in the provisions. Religious institutions are currently exempted from the ban on religious discrimination in employment under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Because the bill does not include a repeal of this exemption, these institutions can engage in government-funded employment discrimination. H.R. 7 passed on a mostly party line vote of 233-198 in July, and has now been referred to the Senate.

Forcing taxpayers to subsidize religious institutions they may or not believe in is no different from forcing them to put money in the collection plates of churches, synagogues and mosques.

Some wear turbans, some a mustache, some a suit and tie. They are all NUTS.

A Musical Tribute to A WONDERFUL WORLD