Can we say NO??? How much more ridiculous can we get people?
MIAMI — Florida drivers can order more than 100 specialty license plates celebrating everything from manatees to the Miami Heat, but one now under consideration would be the first in the nation to explicitly promote a specific religion.
This is SOO wrong. There is no freaking way that this should be allowable by law. Normally the proceeds of these plates go to individual charities, so are we going to give government money to Churches?
The Florida Legislature is considering a specialty plate with a design that includes a Christian cross, a stained-glass window and the words “I Believe.”
Rep. Edward Bullard, the plate’s sponsor, said people who “believe in their college or university” or “believe in their football team” already have license plates they can buy. The new design is a chance for others to put a tag on their cars with “something they believe in,” he said.
If the plate is approved, Florida would become the first state to have a license plate featuring a religious symbol that’s not part of a college logo. Approval would almost certainly face a court challenge.
Darn tootin’ you’ll see a court challenge and I sure as heck hope that the judge that oversees the case summarily throws this cocked idea out on it’s butt…
The problem with the state manufacturing the plate is that it “sends a message that Florida is essentially a Christian state” and, second, gives the “appearance that the state is endorsing a particular religious preference,” said Howard Simon, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida.
The “I Believe” license plate still has a way to go before it reaches the roads. The proposal is part of a package of license plates being debated in the Senate and ready for a floor vote. In the House, the bill that would authorize the plate has passed one committee 8-2. The Legislature’s annual session ends May 2.
Some lawmakers say the state should be careful. Rep. Kelly Skidmore said she is a Roman Catholic and goes to Mass on Sundays, but she believes the “I Believe” plate is inappropriate for the government to produce.
“It’s not a road I want to go down. I don’t want to see the Star of David next. I don’t want to see a Torah next. None of that stuff is appropriate to me,” said Skidmore, a Democrat who voted against the plate in committee. “I just believe that.”
Rep. Skidmore is spot on here. There is no reason for the Government to be sponsoring religion of any sort. This idea is just WRONG!
Florida’s specialty license plates require the payment of additional fees, some of which go to causes the plates endorse.
One plate approved in 2004, displaying the motto “Family First,” funds Sheridan House, which provides family programs but also sees its purpose as “sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Bible” and “information about the Christian faith.”
This one should have never gotten approval and they should stop making this plate period. There is no reason for this type of plate to exist.
The bill creating the “I Believe” plate would also create an “In God We Trust” plate to benefit the children of soldiers and law enforcement officers whose parents have died. It also could face opposition as a violation of the separation of church and state.
You have got to love that, mix religion into it, and throw some veterans stuff in to come up with a way to try and make it “kosher”. Why not a simple plate that says, “We Honor Our Troops”.
A “Trust God” license plate was proposed in Florida in 2003. It would have given money to Christian radio stations and charities, but was never produced.
Very good…
Earlier this year, a legislative committee was shown an image of a “Trinity” plate that showed a Christlike figure with his arms outstretched. It and two other plates were voted down.
The group asking for the “I Believe” plate, the Orlando-based nonprofit Faith in Teaching Inc., supports faith-based schools activities. The plate would cost drivers an extra $25 annual fee.
Approving the plate could open the state to legal challenges, according to Josie Brown, who teaches constitutional law at the University of South Carolina. And it’s not certain who would win.
“It would be an interesting close call,” Brown said.
Simon, of the ACLU, said approval of the plate could prompt many other groups to seek their own designs, and they could claim discrimination if their plans were rejected. That could even allow the Ku Klux Klan to get a plate, Simon said.
Bullard, the plate’s sponsor, isn’t sure all groups should be able to express their preference. If atheists came up with an “I Don’t Believe” plate, for example, he would probably oppose it.
I’ve got an idea, let’s leave the religion to individuals, and leave the government out of it?
I’m going to give you two choices…
This:
or
This:
FLDS: Pain, yearning for peace imbues ranch.
The state of Texas is looking more and more like Nazi’s every day.
Photo Credit: Trent Nelson - Photojournalist Salt Lake Tribune
I am absolutely astonished at how things work in this country. I’d like to see CPS abolished. More bad happens in CPS than in the so called “abusive” families. Also, to all citizens, politicians, etc. in Texas I’d like to tell you that you’ve impacted your own economy with this. I’d like to see a “Texas Size” (got it Freedom Lovers???) boycott of the state. I’ve decided I will NEVER EVER set foot in your state again. I’ll never give to your economy, or support anything in your state. You think you’re the biggest bullies. Don’t mess with Texas is your slogan. Woo Hoo, you’re such toughies, you can make women in prairie dresses (that ironically not too many years ago all women in Texas wore) cry. You can intimidate them. I guess your jollies wore off after the torching of the Branch Davidian Complex. I bet you’re just so saddened by the fact that these people didn’t put up a fight and cared enough about their children to protect them from people with guns and tanks.
Please go here to support the FLDS - Free the Innocent FLDS
Congrats Texas I hope you pay for time and all eternity!
I pray to our Heavenly Father above that he correct this injustice, and to watch over all involved in this tragedy.
I have no need to spell it out in my own words, this post pretty much sums it up for me…
Up until now I’ve had this opinion that I was for restricting 2nd Amendment rights. After this denial of constitutional rights though, I plan to become the BIGGEST supporter of the 2nd Amendment that you’ll ever find on the face on the earth. This country is going to the crapper, and most people are just standing idly by and letting it happen.
Wow,
I’m just about speechless. What a wonderful conference. It was such a special experience to sustain such a humble man of God in President Thomas S. Monson, Prophet, Seer, and Revelator. This was the first Solemn Assembly that I’d witnessed given that I’d joined The Church a couple months before President Hinckley became Prophet. I was preparing to get married during the last one.
I’d have to say that thing that stood out the most in my mind though was President Uchtdorf. Wow, what an awe inspiring man. His English skills as the Solemn Assembly was taking place, and as he called other General Authorities and Auxilaries of The Church. He just rolled those names off his tongue without much difficulty. I really love to hear him speak.
The other talks were great too, and I was so glad to hear Elder Scott tackle an issue that definitely needs to be discussed.
What things stood out to you?
I know that this is a site primarily about me (hence the name Ann Marie IS ME), but truly I’m targeting you the viewer. I like to post things to open your mind, get you thinking, entertain and humor you, and keep you wanting more. You can tell a few of my bigger “loves” (i.e. my faith, politics, newsy type things, human interest stories, etc.) Are there any other things that you’d be interested in seeing about me? Are there any questions that you’d like to ask me? I’m pretty open. So if you do indeed have a question, don’t hesitate to ask. Also, I’d encourage you to participate. Please leave comments on the different posts to keep the conversation going.
Thanks for visiting the site!
Best,
Ann Marie Curling
I have also included them on the far right side bar (smaller though). Click any one of them, and it’ll take you to Mormon.org.
Since I’m not well enough to attend church today, I decided to find something uplifting and this is what I found. With a title like “How to Live Well amid Increasing Evil”, I’m sure you’re asking how can that be uplifting. But, read on and you’ll see how.
From Richard G. Scott, “How to Live Well amid Increasing Evil,” Liahona, May 2004, 100–102
As you continue to center your mind and heart in [the Lord], He will help you have a rich and full life no matter what happens in the world around you.
— Richard G. ScottExcellent suggestions to combat the deteriorating world environment have been given in this conference. As a prophet of God, President Gordon B. Hinckley put world conditions and our opportunities into crystal clear perspective. Two of his recent comments to priesthood and auxiliary leaders illustrate that prophetic vision. First, regarding the challenge we face:
“The traditional family is under heavy attack. I do not know that things were worse in the times of Sodom and Gomorrah. … We see similar conditions today. They prevail all across the world. I think our Father must weep as He looks down upon His wayward sons and daughters.” 1
Now concerning our extraordinary opportunities:
“Who in the earlier days could have dreamed of this season of opportunity in which we live? … The Church is in wonderful condition. … It will grow and strengthen. … It is our opportunity and our challenge to continue in this great undertaking, the future of which we can scarcely imagine.” 2
You have a choice. You can wring your hands and be consumed with concern for the future or choose to use the counsel the Lord has given to live with peace and happiness in a world awash with evil. If you choose to concentrate on the dark side, this is what you will see. Much of the world is being engulfed in a rising river of degenerate filth, with the abandonment of virtue, righteousness, personal integrity, traditional marriage, and family life. Sodom and Gomorrah was the epitome of unholy life in the Old Testament. It was isolated then; now that condition is spread over the world. Satan skillfully manipulates the power of all types of media and communication. His success has greatly increased the extent and availability of such degrading and destructive influences worldwide. In the past some effort was required to seek out such evil. Now it saturates significant portions of virtually every corner of the world. We cannot dry up the mounting river of evil influences, for they result from the exercise of moral agency divinely granted by our Father. But we can and must, with clarity, warn of the consequences of getting close to its enticing, destructive current.
Now the brighter side. Despite pockets of evil, the world overall is majestically beautiful, filled with many good and sincere people. God has provided a way to live in this world and not be contaminated by the degrading pressures evil agents spread throughout it. You can live a virtuous, productive, righteous life by following the plan of protection created by your Father in Heaven: His plan of happiness. It is contained in the scriptures and in the inspired declarations of His prophets. He clothed your intelligence with spirit and made it possible for you to enjoy the wonder of a physical body. When you use that body in the way He has decreed, you will grow in strength and capacity, avoid transgression, and be abundantly blessed.
When God, our Eternal Father, and His Beloved Son appeared to Joseph Smith in that sublime vision in the Sacred Grove, They began to place on earth again that plan of happiness and all required to sustain it. Part of that restoration included additional sacred scriptures to complement the treasured record of the Bible. These precious scriptures are contained in the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. Our Father knew of our day. He prepared the scriptures and provided continuing divine guidance to sustain us. That help will assure that you can live with peace and happiness amid increasing evil.
Consider these verses:
Read the rest of this entry »
I hope this Sunday finds you well. Unfortunately, well does not become me today. I’ve been fighting sinus problems for over a week now, and the stuff decided to make it’s journey down into my lungs. So, it’s made sleep anything but restful. This is the first Sunday in a month where I will not go to church. After a period of a long inactivity, I went back four weeks ago so I’m a little sad that I won’t be there. But, I just have to keep the faith, and realize that I will get better.
Since it is Sunday though, I figured I’d share a few lyrics/songs with you.
Here’s a video compilation of the song “Joseph Smith’s First Prayer”.
Words:
LDS Hymns #26
Oh, how lovely was the morning!
Radiant beamed the sun above.
Bees were humming, sweet birds singing.
Music ringing thru the grove.
When within the shady woodland.
Joseph sought the God of love.
When within the shady woodland.
Joseph sought the God of love.
Humbly kneeling, sweet appealing.
Twas the boy’s first uttered prayer.
When the pow’rs of sin assailing.
Filled his soul with deep despair.
But undaunted still he trusted.
In his Heav’nly Father’s care.
But undaunted still he trusted.
In his Heav’nly Father’s care.
Suddenly a light descended.
Brighter far than noon-day sun.
And a shining glorious piller
O’er him fell around him shone.
While appeared two heav’nly beings
God the Father and the Son,
While appeared two heav’nly beings
God the Father and the Son
Joseph this is my Beloved
Hear him! Oh, how sweet the word.
Joseph’s humble prayer was answered,
And he listened to the Lord.
Oh, what rapture filled his bosom,
For he saw the living God;
Oh, what rapture filled his bosom,
For he saw the living God
This is probably my favorite hymn of all time, click it below to hear it from the embedded player:
The Healing Power of Forgiveness
President James E. Faust
Second Counselor in the First Presidency
If we can find forgiveness in our hearts for those who have caused us hurt and injury, we will rise to a higher level of self-esteem and well-being.
My dear brothers and sisters and friends, I come before you humbly and prayerfully. I wish to speak on the healing power of forgiveness.
In the beautiful hills of Pennsylvania, a devout group of Christian people live a simple life without automobiles, electricity, or modern machinery. They work hard and live quiet, peaceful lives separate from the world. Most of their food comes from their own farms. The women sew and knit and weave their clothing, which is modest and plain. They are known as the Amish people.
A 32-year-old milk truck driver lived with his family in their Nickel Mines community. He was not Amish, but his pickup route took him to many Amish dairy farms, where he became known as the quiet milkman. Last October he suddenly lost all reason and control. In his tormented mind he blamed God for the death of his first child and some unsubstantiated memories. He stormed into the Amish school without any provocation, released the boys and adults, and tied up the 10 girls. He shot the girls, killing five and wounding five. Then he took his own life.
This shocking violence caused great anguish among the Amish but no anger. There was hurt but no hate. Their forgiveness was immediate. Collectively they began to reach out to the milkman’s suffering family. As the milkman’s family gathered in his home the day after the shootings, an Amish neighbor came over, wrapped his arms around the father of the dead gunman, and said, “We will forgive you.”1 Amish leaders visited the milkman’s wife and children to extend their sympathy, their forgiveness, their help, and their love. About half of the mourners at the milkman’s funeral were Amish. In turn, the Amish invited the milkman’s family to attend the funeral services of the girls who had been killed. A remarkable peace settled on the Amish as their faith sustained them during this crisis.
One local resident very eloquently summed up the aftermath of this tragedy when he said, “We were all speaking the same language, and not just English, but a language of caring, a language of community, [and] a language of service. And, yes, a language of forgiveness.”2 It was an amazing outpouring of their complete faith in the Lord’s teachings in the Sermon on the Mount: “Do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.”3
The family of the milkman who killed the five girls released the following statement to the public:
“To our Amish friends, neighbors, and local community:
“Our family wants each of you to know that we are overwhelmed by the forgiveness, grace, and mercy that you’ve extended to us. Your love for our family has helped to provide the healing we so desperately need. The prayers, flowers, cards, and gifts you’ve given have touched our hearts in a way no words can describe. Your compassion has reached beyond our family, beyond our community, and is changing our world, and for this we sincerely thank you.
“Please know that our hearts have been broken by all that has happened. We are filled with sorrow for all of our Amish neighbors whom we have loved and continue to love. We know that there are many hard days ahead for all the families who lost loved ones, and so we will continue to put our hope and trust in the God of all comfort, as we all seek to rebuild our lives.”4
How could the whole Amish group manifest such an expression of forgiveness? It was because of their faith in God and trust in His word, which is part of their inner beings. They see themselves as disciples of Christ and want to follow His example.
Hearing of this tragedy, many people sent money to the Amish to pay for the health care of the five surviving girls and for the burial expenses of the five who were killed. As a further demonstration of their discipleship, the Amish decided to share some of the money with the widow of the milkman and her three children because they too were victims of this terrible tragedy.
Forgiveness is not always instantaneous as it was with the Amish. When innocent children have been molested or killed, most of us do not think first about forgiveness. Our natural response is anger. We may even feel justified in wanting to “get even” with anyone who inflicts injury on us or our family.
Dr. Sidney Simon, a recognized authority on values realization, has provided an excellent definition of forgiveness as it applies to human relationships:
“Forgiveness is freeing up and putting to better use the energy once consumed by holding grudges, harboring resentments, and nursing unhealed wounds. It is rediscovering the strengths we always had and relocating our limitless capacity to understand and accept other people and ourselves.”5
Most of us need time to work through pain and loss. We can find all manner of reasons for postponing forgiveness. One of these reasons is waiting for the wrongdoers to repent before we forgive them. Yet such a delay causes us to forfeit the peace and happiness that could be ours. The folly of rehashing long-past hurts does not bring happiness.
Some hold grudges for a lifetime, unaware that courageously forgiving those who have wronged us is wholesome and therapeutic.
Forgiveness comes more readily when, like the Amish, we have faith in God and trust in His word. Such faith “enables people to withstand the worst of humanity. It also enables people to look beyond themselves. More importantly, it enables them to forgive.”6
All of us suffer some injuries from experiences that seem to have no rhyme or reason. We cannot understand or explain them. We may never know why some things happen in this life. The reason for some of our suffering is known only to the Lord. But because it happens, it must be endured. President Howard W. Hunter said that “God knows what we do not know and sees what we do not see.”7
President Brigham Young offered this profound insight that at least some of our suffering has a purpose when he said: “Every calamity that can come upon mortal beings will be suffered to come upon the few, to prepare them to enjoy the presence of the Lord. . . . Every trial and experience you have passed through is necessary for your salvation.”8
If we can find forgiveness in our hearts for those who have caused us hurt and injury, we will rise to a higher level of self-esteem and well-being. Some recent studies show that people who are taught to forgive become “less angry, more hopeful, less depressed, less anxious and less stressed,” which leads to greater physical well-being.9 Another of these studies concludes “that forgiveness . . . is a liberating gift [that] people can give to themselves.”10
In our day the Lord has admonished us, “Ye ought to forgive one another,” and then makes it requisite when He says, “I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.”11
A sister who had been through a painful divorce received some sound advice from her bishop: “Keep a place in your heart for forgiveness, and when it comes, welcome it in.”12 For the Amish, it was already there because “forgiveness is a ‘heartfelt’ component of [their] religion.”13 Their example of forgiveness is a sublime expression of Christian love.
Here in Salt Lake City in 1985, Bishop Steven Christensen, through no fault of his own, was cruelly and senselessly killed by a bomb intended to take his life. He was the son of Mac and Joan Christensen, the husband of Terri, and the father of four children. With his parents’ consent, I share what they learned from this experience. After this terrible deed, the news media followed members of the Christensen family around relentlessly. On one occasion this media intrusion offended one of the family members to the point that Steven’s father, Mac, had to restrain him. Mac then thought, “This thing will destroy my family if we don’t forgive. Venom and hatred will never end if we do not get it out of our system.” Healing and peace came as the family cleansed their hearts from anger and were able to forgive the man who took their son’s life.
We recently had two other tragedies here in Utah which demonstrate faith and the healing power of forgiveness. Gary Ceran, whose wife and two children were killed on Christmas Eve when their vehicle was hit by a truck, immediately expressed his forgiveness and concern for the alleged drunk driver. Last February, when a car crashed into Bishop Christopher Williams’s vehicle, he had a decision to make, and it was to “unconditionally forgive” the driver who had caused the accident so that the healing process could take place unhampered.14
What can we all learn from such experiences as these? We need to recognize and acknowledge angry feelings. It will take humility to do this, but if we will get on our knees and ask Heavenly Father for a feeling of forgiveness, He will help us. The Lord requires us “to forgive all men”15 for our own good because “hatred retards spiritual growth.”16 Only as we rid ourselves of hatred and bitterness can the Lord put comfort into our hearts, just as He did for the Amish community, the Christensens, the Cerans, and the Williams family.
Of course, society needs to be protected from hardened criminals, because mercy cannot rob justice.17 Bishop Williams addressed this concept so well when he said, “Forgiveness is a source of power. But it does not relieve us of consequences.”18 When tragedy strikes, we should not respond by seeking personal revenge but rather let justice take its course and then let go. It is not easy to let go and empty our hearts of festering resentment. The Savior has offered to all of us a precious peace through His Atonement, but this can come only as we are willing to cast out negative feelings of anger, spite, or revenge. For all of us who forgive “those who trespass against us,”19 even those who have committed serious crimes, the Atonement brings a measure of peace and comfort.
Let us remember that we need to forgive to be forgiven. In the words of one of my favorite hymns, “Oh, forgive as thou wouldst be e’en forgiven now by me.”20 With all my heart and soul, I believe in the healing power that can come to us as we follow the counsel of the Savior “to forgive all men.”21 In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
NOTES
1. In Joan Kern, “A Community Cries,” Lancaster New Era, Oct. 4, 2006, p. A8.
2. In Helen Colwell Adams, “After That Tragic Day, a Deeper Respect among English, Amish?” Sunday News, Oct. 15, 2006, p. A1.
3. Matthew 5:44.
4. “Amish Shooting Victims,” www.800padutch.com/amishvictims.shtml.
5. With Suzanne Simon, Forgiveness: How to Make Peace with Your Past and Get On with Your Life (1990), 19.
6. Marjorie Cortez, “Amish Response to Tragedy Is Lesson in Faith, Forgiveness,” Deseret Morning News, Jan. 2, 2007, p. A13.
7. “The Opening and Closing of Doors,” Ensign, Nov. 1987, 60.
8. Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe (1954), 345.
9. Fred Luskin, in Carrie A. Moore, “Learning to Forgive,” Deseret Morning News, Oct. 7, 2006, p. E1.
10. Jay Evensen, “Forgiveness Is Powerful but Complex,” Deseret Morning News, Feb. 4, 2007, p. G1.
11. D&C 64:9, 10.
12. In “My Journey to Forgiving,” Ensign, Feb. 1997, 43.
13. Donald Kraybill, in Colby Itkowitz, “Flowers, Prayers, Songs: Families Meet at Roberts’ Burial,” Intelligence Journal, Oct. 9, 2006, p. A1.
14. See Pat Reavy, “Crash Victim Issues a Call for Forgiveness,” Deseret Morning News, Feb. 13, 2007, p. A1.
15. D&C 64:10.
16. Orson F. Whitney, Gospel Themes (1914), 144.
17. See Alma 42:25.
18. In Deseret Morning News, Feb. 13, 2007, p. A8.
19. Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 6:13.
20. “Reverently and Meekly Now,” Hymns, no. 185.
21. D&C 64:10.