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| | "The history of Western civilization shows us that most social and moral progress has been brought about by persons free from religion." | | "The history of Western civilization shows us that most social and moral progress has been brought about by persons free from religion." |
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| − | *Actually, Western civilization is built upon the Judeo-Christian ethic and the accomplishments of ancient Greece and Rome. The great Greek philosophers ([[Socrates]], [[Plato]], and [[Aristotle]]) all beleived in the existence of a supreme being, even Aristotle, who was a [[deist]]. Social and moral accomplishments have actually been made almost solely by religious people. The great scientists [[Galileo]], [[Kepler]], [[Isaac Newton|Newton]], and [[Louis Pasteur|Pasteur]], were all devout Christians. The founders of America, especially [[George Washington]], were either deist or Christian. | + | *Actually, Western civilization is built upon the Judeo-Christian ethic and the accomplishments of ancient Greece and Rome. The great Greek philosophers ([[Socrates]], [[Plato]], and [[Aristotle]]) all believed in the existence of a supreme being, even Aristotle, who was a [[deist]]. Social and moral accomplishments have actually been made almost solely by religious people. The great scientists [[Galileo]], [[Kepler]], [[Isaac Newton|Newton]], and [[Louis Pasteur|Pasteur]], were all devout Christians. The founders of America, especially [[George Washington]], were either deist or Christian. |
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| | "In modern times the first to speak out for prison reform, for humane treatment of the mentally ill, for abolition of capital punishment, for women's right to vote, for '''death with dignity for the terminally ill''', and for the right to choose '''contraception, sterilization and abortion''' have been freethinkers, just as they were the first to call for an end to slavery." | | "In modern times the first to speak out for prison reform, for humane treatment of the mentally ill, for abolition of capital punishment, for women's right to vote, for '''death with dignity for the terminally ill''', and for the right to choose '''contraception, sterilization and abortion''' have been freethinkers, just as they were the first to call for an end to slavery." |
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| − | *The bolded "accompishments" are not accomplishments at all. In America, abolitionists and early feminists were largely Christian. The early feminists were pro-life. In Britain, the anti-slavery activists were mostly deist or Christian. | + | *The bolded "accomplishments" are not accomplishments at all. In America, abolitionists and early feminists were largely Christian. The early feminists were pro-life. In Britain, the anti-slavery activists were mostly deist or Christian. |
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| | There is a reference to the religious right "...attacking our secular public schools." | | There is a reference to the religious right "...attacking our secular public schools." |
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| | "It [The Constitution] is vital to buttress the Jeffersonian "wall of separation between church and state" which has served our nation so well." | | "It [The Constitution] is vital to buttress the Jeffersonian "wall of separation between church and state" which has served our nation so well." |
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| − | *The "Jeffersonian 'wall of separation between church and state'" is not in the US Constitution at all! In fact, it was written in a letter by Jefferson, and futhermore, Jefferson was the most anti-religious of all the Founding Fathers. A greater guiding principle is that expressed in George Washington's Farewell Address: "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports." | + | *The "Jeffersonian 'wall of separation between church and state'" is not in the US Constitution at all! In fact, it was written in a letter by Jefferson ''over ten years after the First Amendment was ratified'', and furthermore, Jefferson was the least religious of all the early Presidents. Jefferson himself played no role in the formation of the Constitution. A better guiding principle is that expressed in George Washington's Farewell Address: "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports." |
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| | ==Washington State Capitol signs== | | ==Washington State Capitol signs== |