2012: Year of the Theocrat

With high unemployment (10.5% in Philly; 7.4% overall), increasing poverty and school districts where teachers are working for free, I'm so glad the Pennsylvania General Assembly is taking the time to address the issues that matter:

"Earlier this week, the House of Representatives approved H.R. 535, a resolution designating 2012 the 'Year of the Bible.' Introduced by Rep. Rick Saccone (R–Elizabeth Township) and 36 other legislators, the measure insists that 'biblical teachings inspired concepts of civil government that are contained in our Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States."

 If you can stomach it, here's the full resolution:

A RESOLUTION

 Declaring 2012 as the "Year of the Bible" in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, The Bible, the word of God, has made a unique contribution in shaping the United States as a distinctive and blessed nation and people; and
WHEREAS, Deeply held religious convictions springing from the holy scriptures led to the early settlement of our country; and
WHEREAS, Biblical teachings inspired concepts of civil government that are contained in our Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States; and
WHEREAS, Many of our great national leaders, among them President Washington, President Jackson, President Lincoln, President Wilson and President Reagan, paid tribute to the influence of the Bible in our country's development, as exemplified by the words of President Jackson that the Bible is "the rock on which our Republic rests"; and
WHEREAS, The history of our country clearly illustrates the value of voluntarily applying the teachings of the scriptures in the lives of individuals, families and societies; and
WHEREAS, This nation now faces great challenges that will test it as it has never been tested before; and
WHEREAS, Renewing our knowledge of and faith in God through holy scripture can strengthen us as a nation and a people; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives declare 2012 as the "Year of the Bible" in Pennsylvania in recognition of both the formative influence of the Bible on our Commonwealth and nation and our national need to study and apply the teachings of the holy scriptures.

As the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) argues, the Pennsylvania General Assembly is prohibited by the state's Constitution from controlling or interfering with "the limits of conscience," or showing any preference "by law to any religious establishments or modes of worship." Not to mention that it is in direct violation of the United States Constitution and the separation of church and state:

"It is shocking that House leadership would classify this as a 'noncontroversial resolution' and put it to a vote. It is even more astounding that representatives would pass this. It seems that either they did not know what they were voting on or they were intentionally interfering with the rights of conscience of their constituents in violation of the U.S. Constitution. This is a blatant violation. The resolution proclaims that the Bible is the "word of God," states that 'renewing our knowledge of and faith in God through holy scripture can strengthen us as a nation and a people,' and declares 2012 as the 'Year of the Bible' in recognition of 'our national need to study and apply the teachings of the holy scriptures'. 

Once the government enters into the religion business, conferring endorsement and preference for some religions over others, it strikes a blow at religious liberty, forcing taxpayers of all faiths and of no religion to support a particular religious view."

One of the more maddening aspects of this is that the resolution passed 193-0.
How much do you want to bet that the sponsors of the resolution are the same people who scream about how the U.S. is being overrun by scary Muslims who are secretly working to retool the Constitution so it will reflect the tenets of Sharia law?
These fools have no problem with theocracy, just as long as it is the right theocracy.