Spring Break
Under God?
Green: Religion should play a greater role in government
By: Victoria White
Issue date: 2/18/05 Section: News
The original intent of the founding fathers should be studied to return religion to its rightful place in national politics, said professional speaker and former Texas State Representative Rick Green Thursday night.
"I believe that this nation was formed as a nation under God," Green said. "The reason you have rights is because the government recognizes that these rights come from God."
In his speech, "Is America One Nation Under God?" Green said that today's separation of church and state, such as restricting prayer or references to God during school events, is contrary to the ideals the founding fathers held.
Green spoke as part of the Veritas Forum, sponsored by on-campus and local religious organizations, to an audience of 90 people in Rudder Theater. The Veritas Forum features speakers who discuss questions about life and philosophy from a Christian viewpoint.
"God was intended to be a part of our nation's equation of freedom," Green said. "Not until the liberal courts chose to remove (God) was it even considered questionable."
Green said there is a difference between freedom of religion and freedom from religion, and that the country's Christian majority should not be deprived of their right to displaying religion, even though this may offend people.
"You're going to be offended in a free society, and we live in a free society," Green said. "It's life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; not life, liberty and the right to never be offended."
Michael Alvard, associate professor of anthropology, asked Green if non-Christians would receive equal treatment under a religious-based judicial system. Green replied that although he personally felt non-Christians were going to hell, non-Christians should not fear bias under such a system of government because the Bible advocates justice.
"Nothing that we advocate prevents an individual from choosing not to believe in God, or to live a life without religion," Green said. "We simply advocate that those who do believe are allowed to freely live out their faith both in private and in public."
"I believe that this nation was formed as a nation under God," Green said. "The reason you have rights is because the government recognizes that these rights come from God."
In his speech, "Is America One Nation Under God?" Green said that today's separation of church and state, such as restricting prayer or references to God during school events, is contrary to the ideals the founding fathers held.
Green spoke as part of the Veritas Forum, sponsored by on-campus and local religious organizations, to an audience of 90 people in Rudder Theater. The Veritas Forum features speakers who discuss questions about life and philosophy from a Christian viewpoint.
"God was intended to be a part of our nation's equation of freedom," Green said. "Not until the liberal courts chose to remove (God) was it even considered questionable."
Green said there is a difference between freedom of religion and freedom from religion, and that the country's Christian majority should not be deprived of their right to displaying religion, even though this may offend people.
"You're going to be offended in a free society, and we live in a free society," Green said. "It's life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; not life, liberty and the right to never be offended."
Michael Alvard, associate professor of anthropology, asked Green if non-Christians would receive equal treatment under a religious-based judicial system. Green replied that although he personally felt non-Christians were going to hell, non-Christians should not fear bias under such a system of government because the Bible advocates justice.
"Nothing that we advocate prevents an individual from choosing not to believe in God, or to live a life without religion," Green said. "We simply advocate that those who do believe are allowed to freely live out their faith both in private and in public."
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