Controversy over stone Ten Commandments sign at Oakland Zoo (Alameda: sublease, foreclosed)

[bigdumbgod]

Originally Posted by Tomlcsc

Its not that far fetched if you consider it was God who created all the planets. I don't suppose you believe the planets just created themselves?

The Great Voice In My Head created all.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Some people just want to persecute the religious. They are the irreligious "jihadis."

They don't even realize they are fanatics as well, but they simply ain't got religion. Nonetheless they are fanatics about their own irreligion.

Very silly.

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by ZhugeLiang

What in the **** would this have to do with "Separation of Church and State?"

Please tell me, I'd love to hear this.

Its not really that complicated and certainly doesnt warrant your typical irrational indignation.

The zoo is owned by the City of Oakland and is partially supported by taxpayers--hence this Joey person being upset.

There, that didnt hurt now did it?

[dragontales]

I like how the religious nuts talk to fairies and magic overlords all the time.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

In "post religious" Europe this would not even be debated. They don't seek to remove the traditional Judeo Christian background from the public square. And in Europe, having witnessed the most ugly combinations of church / state / other institutions, they would have the greatest justification for doing so. Meanwhile, we here in America, descended from what were essentially the religious rebels and irreligious of the 17th and 18th Centuries, are becoming rabid about removal, even though we have the least justification to do so.

[Shelacious]

I've been to the Oakland Zoo several times (and soon to be a Zoo member) and I can't even recall ever seeing the 10 Commandments sign there, but then again I've never been to the Snow building. I am a Christian, but I look at the 10 Commandments as more of a historical thing at this point--believers in many different faiths, agnostics, and atheists refer to them. And the separation between Church and State refers to not having any mandated state-sanctioned religion imposed on citizens, not really the absence of religion. And the Op-ed writers comparison to slavery/no-Negros and this stone thing is specious at best. That said, I don't care whether they stay or go. Outside of the cost (which I suppose could be absorbed the the Society that runs the Zoo, rather than the City Oakland), it matters not to me.

[Cyborger]

How old is the sign?

[ssmaster]

Originally Posted by BayAreaHillbilly

In "post religious" Europe this would not even be debated. They don't seek to remove the traditional Judeo Christian background from the public square. And in Europe, having witnessed the most ugly combinations of church / state / other institutions, they would have the greatest justification for doing so. Meanwhile, we here in America, descended from what were essentially the religious rebels and irreligious of the 17th and 18th Centuries, are becoming rabid about removal, even though we have the least justification to do so.

The pilgrim forefathers came to america to escape persecution from the church of england so seperation of church and state as a central tenent of the constitution is understandable.

[bigdumbgod]

Originally Posted by ssmaster

The pilgrim forefathers came to america to escape persecution from the church of england so seperation of church and state as a central tenent of the constitution is understandable.

Too bad they soon after started burning witches...

What do the Ten Commandments have to do with wild animals in captivity anyway? Bizarre.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Originally Posted by ssmaster

The pilgrim forefathers came to america to escape persecution from the church of england so seperation of church and state as a central tenent of the constitution is understandable.

Right, and for that reason there is no need to fear "The Church of The United States" (not going to happen) or the Pope, or the Holy Roman Emperor or whomever. And therefore, no need to be rabid about removing all references to religion from the public square.