Christianity is under attack! The sense of Christian victimhood has been ramping up in recent months.
by Paul Brandeis Raushenbush – HUFF Post Religion
While conservative Christian intimidation by the rising acceptance of gay marriage has been more in the spotlight, a recent case of Ten Commandments plaques in an Oklahoma public school system has become a new rallying point.
Every classroom in the Muldrow, Oklahoma district has a plaque with the Ten Commandments affixed to the wall. Recently an atheist student named Gage Pulliam contacted the Freedom From Religion Foundation, who then wrote a letter to the district demanding that the plaques be taken down and warning that they represent a violation of the U.S. Constitution.
Pulliam, who originally wanted to remain anonymous and has now revealed his identity, told Patheos that he and his sister have now faced verbal harassment and been threatened with violence. He explains that his intention is not to attack Christianity as local pastors and Christian students have insisted, instead Gage says:
“I want people to know this isn’t me trying to attack religion. This is me trying to create an environment for kids where they can feel equal.”
That seems fair. And he is, of course, completely right that the plaques should be taken down. The establishment clause of the First Amendment is clear in this case.
Posting The Ten Commandments in a public enterprise such as public schools or courtrooms does establish a religious privilege for Christianity (and maybe Judaism… but not really) — especially when unaccompanied by similar central texts from other religious and humanist traditions.
