On Fri, Jun 14, 2013 at 4:19 PM, Judah McAuley <[email protected]> wrote:
> > A law saying that we must allow religious displays on state property is > establishing religion as a function of the state. It does not specify one > religion over another (though in practice it almost always comes to that) > but it still establishes religion. > > (*buzzzz*) please try again! I read the text of the bill. It's amazingly short and to the point. No where does it *require* religious displays. The word "may" is very strong in it. When it comes displays, the law specifcally states "more than one religion" or "one religion and at least one secular scene or symbol." Here's the text, it's from http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/83R/billtext/html/HB00308I.htm A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to a school district's recognition of and education regarding traditional winter celebrations. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 29, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 29.920 to read as follows: *Sec.** **29.920.** ** **WINTER CELEBRATIONS. (a) A school district* *may educate students about the history of traditional winter* *celebrations, and allow students and district staff to offer* *traditional greetings regarding the celebrations, including:* *(1) "Merry Christmas";* *(2) "Happy Hanukkah"; and* *(3) "happy holidays."* *(b)** ** **Except as provided by Subsection (c), a school district* *may display on school property scenes or symbols associated with* *traditional winter celebrations, including a menorah or a Christmas* *image such as a nativity scene or Christmas tree, if the display * *includes a scene or symbol of:* *(1) more than one religion; or* *(2)** ** **one religion and at least one secular scene or* *symbol.* *(c)** ** **A display relating to a traditional winter celebration* *may not include a message that encourages adherence to a particular* *religious belief.* SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2013-2014 school year. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2013. Until Later! C. Hatton Humphrey http://www.eastcoastconservative.com Every cloud does have a silver lining. Sometimes you just have to do some smelting to find it. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| Order the Adobe Coldfusion Anthology now! http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Coldfusion-Anthology/dp/1430272155/?tag=houseoffusion Archive: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-community/message.cfm/messageid:364600 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-community/subscribe.cfm Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-community/unsubscribe.cfm
