North Carolina May Declare Official State Religion Under New Bill (not an April Fools Joke)

[cbayer]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/03/north-carolina-religion-bill_n_3003401.html

The Huffington Post | By John Celock
Posted: 04/03/2013 12:22 am EDT | Updated: 04/03/2013 10:55 am EDT

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North Carolina state Rep. Carl Ford backs a religion bill that would allow the state to declare an official state faith.

Republican North Carolina state legislators have proposed allowing an official state religion in a measure that would declare the state exempt from the Constitution and court rulings.

The bill, filed Monday by two GOP lawmakers from Rowan County and backed by nine other Republicans, says each state "is sovereign" and courts cannot block a state "from making laws respecting an establishment of religion." The legislation was filed in response to a lawsuit to stop county commissioners in Rowan County from opening meetings with a Christian prayer, wral.com reported.

The religion bill comes as some Republican-led states seek to separate themselves from the federal government, primarily on the issues of guns and Obamacare. This includes a proposal in Mississippi to establish a state board with the power to nullify federal laws.

The North Carolina bill's main sponsors, state Reps. Carl Ford (R-China Grove) and Harry Warren (R-Salisbury), could not be reached for comment on Tuesday, The Salisbury Post reported. Co-sponsors include House Majority Leader Edgar Starnes (R-Hickory). Another is state Rep. Larry Pittman (R-Concord), who in February introduced a state constitutional amendment that would allow for carrying concealed weapons to fight federal "tyranny."

more at link

[TreasonousBastard]

1. There was another thread on this that...

mocked the idea as not only being unconstitutional but looking like a feeble attempt to bring back the idea of secession.

It won't go far, not in the least because they'll never agree on which church should be the state church.

(edit spelling)

[cbayer]

2. I really thought it was a joke when I first saw it.

It does sound secessionist. Defy the 1st amendment? Really?

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. Shout out, to DU members living in that state

because a lot of crazy has been coming out of N. Carolina for some time now.

Makes life there....not boring, for sure.

[cbayer]

4. Apparently some gerrymandering went on and these far righties

took over the legislature 3 years ago.

I always thought of NC as a relatively liberal state, what with the research triangle and all.

But apparently it has changed.... and not for the better.

[arcane1]

5. Why do they hate America?

[cbayer]

6. Two many outsiders have come in!

[goldent]

7. I think this is trolling

I read it, and it is a joint resolution that says that NC could establish a state religion if they wanted to. It doesn't actually do anything, even if it were passed. I'm no expert, but I don't think you could get this declared unconstitutional because it doesn't do anything at all - maybe that is part of the ploy.

I have a feeling there are some people in NC who are having a good laugh at all the fury they started.

[cbayer]

8. I think it's political theater

but I sincerely hope that they do not pass it.

Trolling for votes, I agree.

[goldent]

10. I kinda doubt it would pass

And I think the sponsors don't care, as they have accomplished what they want, and that it makes absolutely no real difference whether it passes or not.



Edit: Too many nos!

[cbayer]

11. Well, they certainly got a lot of press, but I think that just opened them up

to ridicule.

Well, I hope so, anyway.

[pinto]

9. The really unfortunate point is that this takes up legislative time to, you know,

legislate for the whole state, not the media or fringe group theatrics.

[goldent]

12. That is true,

but also do resolutions declaring some day as "Jimmy Miller Day" because he rescued a wounded goat.

After seeing so much of this kind of phony stuff, I won't be drawn.