Bush "creates" Jesus Day in the state of Texas

Proclaiming 'Jesus Day' in Texas Assumes That Christian Teachings Are 'The Norm' for All Texans, AJCongress Says, Urging Gov. Bush Not to Issue Such P.R.Newswire, 7/10/2000 16:30

'Sectarian Pronouncements' in the Future

NEW YORK, July 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Declaring that Texas "Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, members of other faith groups, and non-believers, all of whom are entitled to equal respect, would have difficulty responding" to Governor George W. Bush's proclamation of June 10 as "Jesus Day," the American Jewish Congress today called on Bush to refrain from issuing "such sectarian pronouncements in the future."

The full text of the statement by AJCongress Executive Director Phil Baum is as follows:

It has become a commonplace of American politics for elected officials to seek to accommodate the religious views of their constituents by issuing proclamations endorsing or commemorating the views or practices of various sectarian groups or denominations.

A recent and egregious example is the proclamation by Governor George W. Bush designating June 10, 2000 as "Jesus Day" in the State of Texas. In an official pronouncement Governor Bush declared that: "People of all religions recognize Jesus Christ as an example of love, compassion, sacrifice and service ... To honor his life and teachings, Christians of all races and denominations have joined together to designate June 10 as Jesus Day ... By volunteering their time, energy or resources ... adults and youngsters follow Christ's message of love and service in thought and deed."

The principal problem with Governor Bush's proclamation is not that it acknowledges the important civic contributions of a particular faith, but that it assumes that the profound regard in which the teachings and person of Jesus Christ are held by the Christian community are the norm for all the residents of the State of Texas. Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, members of other faith groups, and non-believers, all of whom are entitled to equal respect, would have difficulty responding to the
Governor's call to practice civic responsibility by "follow(ing) Christ's message" on June 10.

We realize, of course, that proclamations do not have the force of law. But while they may have less stature than duly enacted legislation, that does not mean that they are without significance or that they do not violate the spirit and intention of the First Amendment of the Constitution. Indeed, the reason these proclamations are so frequently used and so avidly sought is precisely because they are perceived as effective in helping to shape public attitudes and promote sectarian beliefs.

We know, too, that during the course of a year proclamations of various kinds are issued by Governors and others honoring a wide spectrum of groups and occasions, not all of whose objectives the author of the proclamation may necessarily endorse or even be aware of.

But it is no answer that the issuance of such pronouncements has become customary or routine in the various States, or even in the U.S. Congress, as witness the Congressional proclamation commemorating the life and teachings of the late Lubavitcher Rebbe.

All such statements are offensive and erode the protection afforded minority beliefs by the Constitutional doctrine that we are all better off when religion and State are kept separate. The danger is that these violations have become so casual and customary that we may have become indifferent to the harm they do and to the community divisiveness and sense of isolation they necessarily bring with them.

We respectfully urge Governor Bush, as we have urged other Governors on similar occasions, to reconsider the use and issuance of such sectarian pronouncements. Whatever may be their intention, such statements take away from the sense of common purpose and commitment within the State that we know the Governor would wish to promote. SOURCE American Jewish Congress