Quote:
Originally Posted by M. Krass
Discussion about this measure in the Texas House included recognition that this bill, "will acknowledge our Judeo-Christian heritage by placing the words 'under God' in the state pledge." That anyone could believe this change then doesn't reflect an endorsement of these sects of religion is astonishing.
|
According to Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, "sect" means:
"a dissenting or schismatic religious body; esp: one regarded as extreme or heretical ... a religious denomination ... a group adhering to a distinctive doctrine or to a leader ... PARTY ... FACTION"
"Judeo-Christian heritage" is a very broad term, encompassing a mindset common to a large majority of Americans up through the middle of the twentieth century. Usually this would include belief in God, with the Ten Commandments (don't lie, don't steal, don't murder, etc.) as the basic moral foundation. It would not necessarily include belonging to a church or synagogue, however. It also encompasses two major world religions, one of which was derived from the other.
The term "sect" is not appropriate to these broad concepts, but would refer to any of the innumerable smaller groups within the major religions, e.g., Hasidim or Missouri Synod Lutherans. As I mentioned in my previous post, the prohibition against establishment of religion refers to the government preferring one of these "denominations" over the others, as differentiated from acknowledging the basic views on God and morality held by most of our citizens earlier in our nation's history.