On 5 May, I posted an entry about Representative Virginia Foxx’s sponsorship of the Public Prayer Protection Act. That last part of the post was an email that I sent to her expressing my disagreement. To my surprise, she actually responded.
Dear Mr. Brown:
You certainly have a right to your beliefs and should be grateful to the God-fearing people who helped create and have preserved this nation over the years. I will continue to pray at every opportunity. You have the right to run for any office also.
Sincerely,
Virginia Foxx
Member of CongressVF/rc
Though this response is brief, its content is revealing. She didn’t explain why prayer by elected officials needs protection, or what actual affect it has ever had on real problems. She didn’t respond concerning a clear violation of the Constitution. She didn’t express any reluctance in alienating part of the constituency. She didn’t make any attempt to defend belief in a magical entity that is ready and waiting to intervene upon request.
What she did offer is what seems to be an attempt to justify religious people. Yes, “[g]od-fearing” have helped to create and preserve freedoms in this country. But so have rational, atheistic citizens. Let’s not forget the positions of the founding fathers. If she is suggesting that an appeal to good actions of the religious justifies their superstition, then she has committed a fallacy.
I wasn’t sure my email would even be read. I certainly never expected a response. I am pleased that I reached her, even though it probably made no difference.
Tags: congress, constitution, god, politics, prayer, religion, separation of church & state
