Watson said as Americans across the country gather to celebrate the nation’s Independence Day, he is urging Tennesseans to remember the historical roots of our founding and the spiritual inspiration that led to our nation’s birth.
“It is important we remind counties across our great state that they have the right to post the Ten Commandments in appropriate ways in county courthouses,” said Watson.
“Tennesseans know full well we are a blessed state. There is no legitimate reason the foundational principles of our society should not be displayed for everyone to understand the unique underpinnings of our society and democracy itself.”
The text of the resolution says the foundation of any government must rest upon both law and morality; and “the underpinnings of our system of government are rooted in a steadfast belief in Almighty God and the conviction that all morality, justice, and unalienable rights derive from his gracious hand.”
The conservative lawmaker said the Ten Commandments are the foundation of the American legal system. It is important to remind counties across Tennessee they have the right to post the Ten Commandments in appropriate ways in county courthouses. Those that want to deny our heritage as a Christian nation have litigated the posting of the Ten Commandments, however sound legal reasoning has prevailed and courts have upheld the right to post the Ten Commandments, he said.
“We must be aggressive in the defense of our Christian heritage. We cannot stand idly by while the few and powerful attempt to create a godless America,” he said. “The most recent example of the enemy’s attempt to remove God from our society is NBC television. This once great network intentionally deleted the words “under God” from our Nations’ Pledge of Allegiance during a broadcast of the U.S. Open Golf tournament. We can rejoice that Americans were so outraged by this callous action, NBC was forced to apologize on the air before the golf tournament concluded. It is a reminder that we must be vigilant in our pursuit to keep God at the forefront of our great nation.”
The public is invited to attend the unveiling of the resolution at 10:45 a.m., in Hopewell Church of God at 5765 Eureka Road.
While Watson is in church promoting the Ten Commandments, planes trailing banners will be flying above 26 states Monday, with messages like “God-LESS America — Atheists.org” and “Atheism is Patriotic — Atheists.org.”
According to Dave Silverman, president of American Atheists, the purpose of the banners is to “highlight the fact that atheists are everywhere, in every parade, on every beach, and in every state, city, and town.
“Atheism is alive and growing in the U.S.”
Silverman said in the June 30, press release, “Over 45 million Americans profess ‘no religion’ according to studies like the American Religion Identification Survey. Many of us use terms like atheist, freethinker, secularist, or humanist to describe our philosophy; and most of us agree on the necessity to separate church, and state.”
Blair Scott, communications director for the group, says planes will be flying banners in 26 states.
“Our goal was to have this promotion in all 50 states, but some airplane advertisers declined,” he said.
“Still, the airplane banners are ‘the next step’ in a campaign which has included a series of controversial billboards, including one last December erected at the entrance to New York’s iconic Lincoln Tunnel.
“We know that some people think we should not have the right to broadcast our message,” Silverman said. “But what better time than Independence Day weekend to speak up peacefully and declare ‘Yes, we’re all Americans.’”
