Rep. Louie Gohmert Introduces ‘Ten Commandments Weekend’ Resolution

Because he has nothing better to do, Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) has introduced H. Res. 211:

Expressing support for designation of the first weekend of May as Ten Commandments Weekend to recognize the significant contributions the Ten Commandments have made in shaping the principles, institutions, and national character of the United States.

…

Resolved, That the House of Representatives–

(1) supports the designation of Ten Commandments Weekend;

(2) celebrates the significant role the Ten Commandments have played in the development of significant public and private institutions of the United States; and

(3) encourages citizens of all faiths and religious persuasions to reflect on the important impact that the Ten Commandments have had on the people and national character of the United States.

Just in time for the National Day of Prayer…

Chris Rodda, who’s always on top of these things, notes that similar resolutions have been proposed in the past — and quickly shot down — but there’s one big difference with this one:

While the Democrats controlled the committees, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the committee to whom resolutions like this are typically referred, did a good job of keeping these resolutions from even getting to the floor for a vote. But now, with the Republicans in control, and eight members of Rep. Randy Forbes’s (R-VA) Congressional Prayer Caucus, including Louie Gohmert, on this committee, I’m nowhere near as confident that this resolution will be stalled as I was last year. After all, we just saw the House Committee on the Judiciary’s Subcommittee on the Constitution order that Forbes’s resolution “Reaffirming ‘In God We Trust’ as the official motto of the United States,” and supporting “the public display of the national motto in all public buildings, public schools, and other government institutions” be sent to the floor for a voice vote.

I’m still trying to figure out what the first four Commandments have to do with our laws…

It’s times like this I really miss George Carlin. He destroyed any respect I might have had for the Ten Commandments in a matter of minutes.

MammaG

Of course he only accepts emails from Texans… (Which commandment is THAT?)
JD

Ah, yes, Rep. Louie “Terror Babies” Gohmert. He’s the one that didn’t like Anderson Cooper bringing inconvenient facts to a discussion and turned it to his tirade platform.
Emaj Cirtap

I like George Carlin’s idea, but putting a commandment that says “Thou shalt always be honest and faithful” in a building full of lawyers and politicians doesn’t seem like the best idea.
JB

Whose Ten Commandments, though? Different versions according to which version of the bible mean that someone has to assert which denomination has the right to decide which is the official version.

Also, there are at least three versions in the Hebrew scriptures, exclusive of translation subtleties.
Rich Wilson

I think we need a resolution to recognize the significant contributions Pagan traditions have made in shaping the principles, institutions, and national character of the United States.

Easter
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Christmas Trees
Yule Logs
Halloween
etc
Riz S

Only if the following weekend can be designated “National Bible-Contradiction Weekend”
mikespeir

Hey, that’s my state you’re talking about!

*sigh*
Reginald Selkirk

(3) encourages citizens of all faiths and religious persuasions to reflect on the important impact that the Ten Commandments have had…

See, he’s not just a Christian fundie pushing one religion on everyone, he is open to EVERYONE reflecting on the Ten Commandments. How ecumenical of him.
Miko

The first four commandments emphasize the importance of blind, unthinking obedience. Law is based on people being blind, unthinking, obedients. Hence, the first four commandments are the basis of all law, including “our” laws.
Matt Foss

I love that the same party that pushes for government fiscal responsibility wants to waste the government’s time and money giving Christians a pat on the back for being the majority religion.
Lost In The Bible Belt

I am so glad I do not live in Texas!
Alex

This made my brain explode…and I’m Canadian.
I can’t even express the depth of my anger over someone seriously believing this is a positive use of time when joblessness is still a huge issue, and three wars/police actions/initiates, whatever you want to call them, are being waged overseas. Honestly, so, so very angry.
Bob

This will sit alongside Rep. Steve King’s (R-Iowa) resolution on ‘The Importance of Christmas and Christianity,’ which passed, even though King himself didn’t show up for the vote.

I’m of the opinion that religious conservatives are seeding the ground with this nonsense, conflating bits of trivia and misquotes into the myth of a Christian America.

Please ignore the boot heel on the back of your head.
Josh Evolved

Since I live in Texas he’s about to get a letter from me about this violation of the constitution. Of course he probably will not reply, or if he does it will be illogical bull.
cybrmaus

Just what part of separation of church and state do these people not get?!? It is just getting a little ridiculous and annoying to continually see this in the news! This country has so many more relevant issues that need to be dealt with at the moment, but religion has to take front and center. It’s just unbelievable to me.
Josh Evolved

This message pertains to H. Res. 211.

I would like to point out that this is a direct violation of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. It directly contradicts the opening clause of that amendment, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” You are trying to establish your religion above any other, since the Ten Commandments are explicitly Judeo-Christian.

You do realize that the United States is a secular nation and the only time in this continents history that there was a religious country was during the time of the Puritans; which was well before our revolution to break away from England.

This action is an abomination to what this country stands for: freedom. You are trying to usurp others and their beliefs for the benefit of what chose to believe. That is wrong. You are to represent the people not your religion.

I have to ask you which version of the Ten Commandments do think you should use? The Jewish one? The Lutheran one? The Catholic one? The Eastern Orthodox one?

You see this is exactly why we are a secular nation. Even trying to label us as Christian is inaccurate. There are over 20,000 different sects of Christianity. Many vary from church to church, and the only uniting factor in them is a belief in Jesus. Everything else is different. If you pursue this resolution you will undoubtedly offend and anger the Christian demographic you didn’t represent by using a different version of the Ten Commandments. Not to mention the lawsuits that will come about for this violation of our secular civil rights.

We have bigger issues to deal with in this country, like job creation, health-care, a rickety economy, poor education, and starving children on the streets of our nation. This is an egotistical act of piffle, a waste of my tax money, and insulting to every person in this great nation (yes, even all the Christians).

Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the
things that are God’s. – Matthew 22:21; even the Bible respects separation of church and state, so why don’t you?

Here’s the letter I sent to Rep. Gohmert.
Sinfanti

Well said, Josh. Well said.
Tom

Wow. yeah, no kidding.

really only 3 of the commandments have direct correlation to our laws. Don’t Murder, Don’t Lie, and Don’t Steal. I’m pretty sure most ethical systems contain those.

these guys are just getting ridiculous.
MrVorhias

He can’t do that! The first weekend day of May is reserved for Free Comic Book day!
George

Let’s all start calling it “Christian Sharia.” That’s basically what they are after. Sharia law based on Christianity.
Luther

Resolved to recognize the important role that adultery plays in the lives and lies of many politicians, especially those supporting this resolution.

Resolved to recognize the significance that the commandments so faithfully ignore and condone all other sex acts consenting or not.
Jeebus

Some dipshit Florida congressman, Siplin I believe his name is(?), is pushing through little Xian Bills all the time. He got “Merry Christmas” designated the official Florida slogan on December 25th and is now lobbying to push through yet another bill regarding prayer in schools. These jack-wagons have nothing better to do but to push their belief system down our throats little by little until all of the sudden, every other day will be recognized as some bullshit holiday for their cult. These are the drones we need to vote OUT of office before we become a theocracy. GAH! The stupidity and hypocrisy hurts my brain.
Kithope

Reginald Selkirk said “(3) encourages citizens of all faiths and religious persuasions to reflect on the important impact that the Ten Commandments have had…

See, he’s not just a Christian fundie pushing one religion on everyone, he is open to EVERYONE reflecting on the Ten Commandments. How ecumenical of him.”

If we’re being ecumenical, can we encourage everyone to reflect on the Kama Sutra?