Do Liberals Hate God? Faith Leaders are Fighting Back!

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By JASON HANCOCK
St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Jefferson City, Mo. » A Republican congressman from Missouri is catching flak from some liberal religious leaders for saying last week that “at the heart of liberalism really is a hatred for God.”

U.S. Rep. Todd Akin made the comments during a radio interview Friday with Tony Perkins, president of the Washington-based Family Research Council.

Perkins asked Akin why he thought NBC cut the words “under God” from a pre-taped clip of the Pledge of Allegiance that aired during NBC’s coverage of the U.S. Open.

“Well, I think NBC has a long record of being very liberal,” Akin said, “and at the heart of liberalism really is a hatred for God and a belief that government should replace God.”

Akin went on to say that the move was part of “a systematic effort to try to separate our faith and God, which is a source in our belief in individual liberties, from our country. And when you do that, you tear the heart out of our country.”

The comments made their way around the Internet, and the Rev. Krista Taves, of Emerson Unitarian Universalist Chapel, in Ellisville, Mo., said Akin’s comment “shows how very little he knows about liberals, and how very little he knows about God.”

“I’m a liberal because I love God and all God’s creation,” said Taves, whose church is in Akin’s district. “I value equality, fairness and compassionate justice because my faith informs my politics.”

Rabbi Jim Bennett, of Congregation Shaare Emeth, in St. Louis, which is just outside Akin’s district, said he was “deeply disturbed” by the congressman’s statement, which he characterized as a “grotesque politicized attack.”

Akin spokesman Steve Taylor said the point his boss was trying to make was that conservatives believe rights are granted by God, and it is the responsibility of government to aid in protecting them.

“Liberals believe rights are granted by government,” he said. “Congressman Akin believes those two concepts define the basic debate between the two ideologies.”

Akin’s comments were off the cuff, Taylor said, and with more time to articulate his point he could have “provided a more artful answer.”

Original Story: http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/52100139-90/god-akin-congressman-faith.html.csp

Texas Vets Prohibited from Using ‘God’ During Services

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Accuse VA, cemetery director of religious hostility.

They fought for their country, now they’re fighting against it.

A trio of Houston area veterans groups is suing Veterans Affairs and the director of the local National Cemetery claiming they’re trying to censor religious freedom during funerals and other ceremonies.

This all started just before Memorial Day when a pastor giving the annual prayer at the National Cemetery was told he could not use Jesus’ name.  A federal judge blocked the VA’s attempt to censor him and the two sides were back in court Tuesday.

(Click the picture to view the gallery)

Attorney Jeff Mateer represents the Liberty Institute; he says the cemetery director won’t allow the use of “God” or “Jesus” unless the family submits the prayer in writing for her approval.

“In addition, director Arleen Ocasio has stated the National Memorial Ladies cannot tell families ‘God Bless,’ they cannot communicate in writing or orally,” says Mateer.  “And that violates the U.S. Constitution.”

Marilyn Koepp is with the National Memorial Ladies.  “I would have been appalled if when the VFW did my father’s funeral in 2004, if they could not have said ‘God,’ what is happening to our country?” she asks.

Vietnam veteran Nobelton Jones hands out shells from the 21-gun salute to families, but says the cemetery director is trying to censor him as well.

“On March 15, she said that at the District 4 ceremony, that I could not say ‘We wish that God grant you and your family grace, mercy and peace,’ she specifically said that,” claims Jones.

The case also has caught the attention of incoming state VFW president John Spahr.

“It is our contention and our concern that we be allowed to give this most humble and important tribute to brothers and sisters as they pass away,” says Spahr.  “They are our comrades, and this probably the most sacred ritual in the Veterans of Foreign Wars.”

Calls seeking comment from cemetery director Ocasio were not returned, the VA says it can’t talk about ongoing litigation.

The two sides are due be back in court next month.