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."
Green urged students to become politically involved in order to preserve their religious beliefs by voting, volunteering for political candidates and contributing to campaigns.
"If you don't put good men and women on the bench in different offices, the political agenda will become more important than the original intent of the founding fathers," Green said. "There's plenty of ways to take care of rogue judges who are chipping away at our way of life."
Green received a standing ovation from the audience at the end of the speech.
Alvard said he was not convinced by Green's pleas of faith, and Green's views hold disturbing implications for the future and for non-Christians. "These are extremely dangerous ideas and it scares me that (Green) was a legislator," Alvard said. "From what I understand, he helped in writing the Republican Party platform. This makes me nervous for myself and my family because we're being dealt with by a government that thinks we're going to hell. It scares me."
Emily Hyslop, a junior English major, said she enjoyed the ideas and information that Green presented.
"I thought it was interesting how (Green) was talking about a religious framework and framework of truth, rather than forcing people to agree with specific tenets of any denomination," she said.
Be the first to comment on this article!