It may seem trivial when a city councilman resigns her position because of religious favoritism, but in reality it is not. The GOP, under direction from the Christian religious right, continually attempts to make our nation a Christian nation. Not only is that un-Constitutional, is offends those of us who do not believe in organized religion.

Charlene Storey said she was once a devout Catholic, but describes herself as a ‘non-believer.’ (I can relate). When other members of the city council in Roselle Park, New Jersey, voted to change the “Tree Lighting Ceremony” to a “Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony,” she tendered her resignation. Ms. Storey said that “a Christmas Tree Lighting” favors one religion and “cuts non-Christians out of the loop.” She is not wrong.

It will definitely be labeled as a non-story by those who claim to be Christian, and even condemned by religious extremists, but it is important when one group seeks domination over others.

The first amendment in the Bill of Rights guarantees freedom of religion and forbids a single religion receiving preference over another. The Christian religious right’s efforts to violate the first amendment has led to younger men and women refusing to follow their parents and deny Christianity. Many of them are choosing to have no organized religion in their life. Others are committing to Islam. Both these facts must be frightening for Christian religious leaders.

Those of us who do not want religion dominating our government and therefore our lives must fight every issue in which a single religion is given precedence over another.

Our Constitution must be protected. If the GOP continues to violate our most sacred document, America as it was founded will fail to exist. Our enemies will be victorious as we destroy ourselves from within. The attacks on the first, fourth, and 14^th amendments must cease.

I don’t expect to see Mike Huckabee or Ted Cruz rushing to Ms. Storey’s side as they did Kim Davis. They don’t believe in religious freedom; they believe in Christian extremism.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage
Source

Photo Courtesy of Russell James Smith

Author’s Page http://www.amazon.com/By-James-turnage/e/B00LOCJ2Z2