North Andover selectmen took a courageous stand
this week when they approved the placement of a
menorah on public property to celebrate the
holidays. Surprisingly, there was no opposition to
the selectmen’s vote. There was no word from the
ACLU, no complaints at public participation, no
emergency injunctions at Lawrence superior court.
There wasn’t even a word of dissent from the
board. They voted to approve the menorah
unanimously.
For years, anti-religious zealots have brought
court actions against cities and towns that allow
religious symbols on public property. Their quest
is to sanitize all public buildings and property
from any reference to God. In California the ACLU
is suing a school district because the
superintendent there displayed the phrase " God
Bless America " on the marquee outside a school
building. The superintendent refused to take down
the sign when threatened with a lawsuit and now
the courts must decide if this violates the
Supreme Court’s twisted interpretation of the
Constitution’s establishment-of-religion
clause.
The founding fathers must be rolling over in
their graves. Their vision for America was a
future where individuals would have the freedom to
practice and observe any religion they choose, in
public or private. They never imagined a time when
the courts would prohibit religious symbols from
appearing on publicly owned property. They never
could have fantasized that a religious symbol
could possibly offend anyone. Or that a few
ridiculous people being offended by religious
symbols could impose their anti religious
sentiment on the majority of Americans. How could
they?
They envisioned a land where local people could
practice and celebrate their religion any way they
want. The establishment clause was designed to
stop the government from imposing a religion on
the populace, as the King of England was forcing
all of his subjects to be Protestant. It had
nothing to do with sanitizing all government-owned
property by wiping away any reference to God or
religious symbols. In fact, The founders were very
religious people who invoked the name of God even
after becoming government officials.
Until the anti-religious zealots came along,
religious symbols and references to God were on
government buildings. Every President (even in the
time of our founders) held their hand on a bible
and swore to God when they took their oath of
office.
When this issue was first brought before the
board last month I was asked by one selectman to
wait until it was officially approved.
" I was hoping there would be no publicity. We
don’t need any problems on this, " he said. I
adhered to his wishes because I found it sad that
elected officials are fearful of respecting
religion in a country founded on religious
tolerance.
It was obvious that the board was aware that a
vote approving a privately funded menorah could
stir enough controversy to cause the town "
problems. " Despite this, however, they had enough
courage to stand up for what our founding fathers
believed the establishment clause to represent:
letting the public observe any religious holiday
or display any religious symbol without government
interference.
Those who disagree strive to eradicate all
references to God in our schools or town halls
across the country. Their form of bigotry and
intolerance should be accepted no more than racial
prejudice. Unfortunately, bigotry against religion
is much more acceptable today than prejudice
against race or skin color.
While some are only objecting to the display of
such symbols on public property because they say
the government is " establishing a religion, " I
say " grow up and worry about yourself. " If you
see a religious symbol that does not represent
your faith or you have no faith at all, that
symbol is meaningless to you.
Personally, I am not Jewish, but I cherish the
fact that a menorah will be proudly displayed on
the common this holiday season. And though I was
raised Catholic, I am not offended by the display
of a symbol contrary to my religious beliefs. In
fact, I cherish it. There are some countries where
you can be killed for simply being Jewish, never
mind praying or observing your religion in public.
There are some countries where you can be
imprisoned for not conforming to the " established
" religion of that nation.
Here in the Untied States we have avoided this
type of tyranny because of the establishment
clause in our constitution. No where in the
writings of any member of the constitutional
convention was there a sentiment against religious
structures of symbols being respected or
celebrated on government property. That’s because
they believed we cannot celebrate our differences
unless we are exposed to them. We can only
understand and appreciate those who believe in a
different moral code when we are tolerant and
respectful of them. America is about being able to
live harmoniously with each other and respect –
yes, respect -- other races, cultures and
religions equally.
The board of selectmen did a great service to
the town and the nation by preserve the integrity
of our constitution and the intent of the founding
fathers. If Thomas Jefferson were alive today I
think he would be as proud of North Andover as I
am.
Tom Duggan hosts the Paying Attention! radio
program on WCCM every Saturday, noon to 2 p.m.,
and the Paying Attention! television program on
Channel 8 cable access in Andover, North Andover,
Lawrence and Methuen.
