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M odern P atriot C hronicles
An Eleventh Commandment Free Zone
Vol. 5, Issue 14
December 21, 2006
By Craig Dawkins

Religion and Article VI of the Constitution
Another Example of Drew Edmondson's Abuse of Power

Copyright@2006, All Rights Reserved
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POLLS! POLLS! POLLS! POLLS!

Article VI states - "no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States." Do you agree?
Yes - It's what the founding fathers wanted.
No - Elected officials must reflect Judeo-Christian values.

Go to www.ModernPatriot.net and vote today!!!
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Religion and Article VI of the Constitution

"The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States."
Article VI of the United States Constitution

With all the discussion and debate about religious voters in the last few election cycles, there seems to be very little discussion within the Republican Party regarding the impact of religious voters on public policy. Religious activists within the Republican Party often argue for faith-based initiatives, anti-abortion policies, and policies perceived to be family friendly.

David Kuo, a former White House deputy in the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, has written a book titled "Tempting Faith." In an interview broadcast on the PBS news program, NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, Kuo made some very interesting comments regarding the religious community and so-called "faith-based initiatives." In the interview, ( ) he exposed some interesting perspectives regarding those who both support and receive federal money for faith-based services.

In the interview Kuo voiced his frustration with the Bush Administration for not going the extra mile to acquire funds for faith-based initiatives. He also is critical of those in the faith-based community who compromise their faith on behalf of the funds received. He seems to be a bit of a fence sitter. In the interview Kuo states:

"I think that Christians are in grave danger of casting down a very important, beautiful, eternal gift, and that is the message of God, and trading it in for something very temporal, and that is political gain, the perception of power."

About Christians who work on behalf of Republican causes, Kuo stated:

"You know, it's something that Chuck Colson talks about and wrote about extensively when he talked about his own time in the Nixon White House when he worked with religious conservatives. And he said, you know, really of all the people, they were the easiest to control. And he said there's just such a huge danger in that."

There seems to be a disconnect among some in the faith community that the government has taken by force that which faith-based charities are fighting to acquire. This twisted form of bureaucratic Robin Hood seems to be very much an "ends justify the means" kind of mentality. It happens to be a corrupting influence for those in faith-based community fighting for federal funds and for Republican politicians who seek to manipulate the religious right.

Pat Robertson, on his 700 Club television program on May 1, 1986, stated:

"God's plan is for His people, ladies and gentlemen to take dominion…What is dominion? Well, dominion is Lordship. He wants His people to reign and rule with Him…but He's waiting for us to…extend His dominion…And the Lord says, 'I'm going to let you redeem society. There'll be a reformation….We are not going to stand for those coercive utopians in the Supreme Court and in Washington ruling over us any more. We're not gonna stand for it. We are going to say, 'we want freedom in this country, and we want power…"

It seems that Republican leaders have determined to pander to this view. But this doesn't sound too constitutional. In fact, it sounds rather anti-freedom of religion. And it is my opinion that Christians' who follow this line of thinking are fundamentally wrong both in terms of religious faith and constitutional freedoms.

Religious belief is a deeply personal issue. I know of no limited government perspective that would empower Government to play a role in one's religious faith. Government should have no role in one's religious choice. Article VI of the U.S. Constitution makes this rather clear. Faith in Christ, Buddha, Mohammad, Yahweh, Allah, or Bugs Bunny must remain in the domain of the individual without government intervention.

So when I wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS, I do so most gleefully absent the coercion of the government!

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Another Example of Drew Edmondson's Abuse of Power

While no one on this email list will likely be shocked at news of abuse in Attorney General Drew Edmondson's office, a new story of abuse was recently broadcast on KFOR NewsChannel 4, an Oklahoma City based television station. ( )

The video segment lasts almost 10 minutes. For those who do not pay attention to the news, this is an amazing length for any story. The story is about Marie West, the attorney who uncovered corruption in the AG's office. According to the story, a $45,000 settlement was offered by Edmondson in return for her silence and the destruction of records that proved the corruption.

She was instructed by the AG's office to lie and give illegal and improper legal advice to State agencies that were assigned to her. You might recall that Edmondson, Oklahoma County Commissioner Jim Roth, Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel, and Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector Jeff McMahan all share the same political consultant. All seem to be rather adept at deception. I was told by one prominent media person that the local media is afraid to cross this group of politicians.

Although Ms. West refused the settlement offer and has received nothing for her claim, her father was deposed and is now being investigated by Edmondson for financially supporting his daughter's lawsuit against Edmondson. This is must see video segment.

You will find the video link just below the headline. This is one of the best stories to come out of NewsChannel 4 for some time in my opinion.

But what is just shameful about this is that The Oklahoman has not sought out any kind of investigative journalism that challenges the power structure of our state. That is the central structure of a private newspaper. While they seem to pick and choose specific political targets, they do not present readers the unvarnished truth.

A friend of mine once said that The Oklahoman was responsible for keeping this state barefoot and pregnant. I agree. That's why I cancelled my subscription roughly two years ago and only read the online version (which is free) today. When they start printing worthy stories, I might consider re-subscribing. But I suspect that I will not do so anytime soon.

The direct video link: KFORVIDEOLINK
Or just copy and paste the address below into you web browser address bar.

http://www.kfor.com/global/video/popup/pop_player.asp?ClipID1=1130935&h1=Whistle blower vs the AG's office&vt1=v&at1=News - Special Coverage&d1=590266&LaunchPageAdTag=News&activePane=info&playerVersion=1&hostPageUrl=http://www.kfor.com/Global/story.asp?S=5840247&nav=menu99_2_10&rnd=48956630