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Apr 7, 2008 
By 
It is the natural state of citizens to be embarrassed by their political representatives. Moreover, regrettably, it is the natural state of many people who believe in God to be embarrassed by the politicians purporting to speak for them. Many days I figure God’s got to be pretty embarrassed as well.
Case in point: Assemblywoman Monique Davis of Illinois. During a hearing of an Assembly Committee — an official proceeding of the government of the State of Illinois — here’s how she addressed Rob Sherman, a witness called before the committee who had the temerity to be an atheist and to question the use of state resources for religious organizations:
Davis: I don’t know what you have against God, but some of us don’t have much against him. We look forward to him and his blessings. And it’s really a tragedy — it’s tragic — when a person who is engaged in anything related to God, they want to fight. They want to fight prayer in school.
I don’t see you (Sherman) fighting guns in school. You know?
I’m trying to understand the philosophy that you want to spread in the state of Illinois. This is the Land of Lincoln. This is the Land of Lincoln where people believe in God, where people believe in protecting their children.… What you have to spew and spread is extremely dangerous, it’s dangerous–
Sherman: What’s dangerous, ma’am?
Davis: It’s dangerous to the progression of this state. And it’s dangerous for our children to even know that your philosophy exists! Now you will go to court to fight kids to have the opportunity to be quiet for a minute. But damn if you’ll go to [court] to fight for them to keep guns out of their hands. I am fed up! Get out of that seat!
Sherman: Thank you for sharing your perspective with me, and I’m sure that if this matter does go to court—
Davis: You have no right to be here! We believe in something. You believe in destroying! You believe in destroying what this state was built upon.
Listen to the audio through the link.
Really, this is hideously inappropriate on any number of levels. It’s despicable for a member of the state legislature to tell an atheist that he can’t speak at a hearing because of his views. It’s contemptible for any legislator to treat any witness that way. The notion that the mere existence of atheism is a threat to children is offensive and ridiculous. Monique Davis’ freakish rant suggests an establishment of religion — a view that the state, acting through its representatives, will only accept and recognize one religious viewpoint.
Where do they find these people?
Hat tip: Volokh.
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8 Comments 
asshats, Politics & Current Events, Religion
