Kentucky Office of Homeland Security Establishes "Praising God" as the First Duty of the Office
"This is recognition that government alone cannot guarantee the perfect safety of the people of Kentucky." Opponents set to fight the law in court.
(Kentucky)—Many Christians are happy to know that Kentucky State law requires the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security to stress "dependence on Almighty God as being vital to the security of the Commonwealth." The law—invoked in 2006 by Rep. Tom Riner, a Baptist minister—reportedly establishes praising God as the first duty of the Homeland Security Office.
"This is recognition that government alone cannot guarantee the perfect safety of the people of Kentucky," said Riner. (Photo: Kentuckyvotes.org)
Now, the law is sadly—though predictably—under attack from atheists who are filing a law suit against it. According to a report in the Lexington Herald-Leader, opponents of the law want references to God stripped from it and are also asking for monetary damages for "mental pain and anguish."
"Plaintiffs also suffer anxiety from the belief that the existence of these unconstitutional laws suggest that their very safety as residents of Kentucky may be in the hands of fanatics, traitors or fools," according to the suit.
One "Under God" website (undergod.procon.org) notes: "All 50 state constitutions refer to 'God' or some higher power. Forty-three states feature these religious references in the Preamble (introductory clause of explanation) of their constitution. The seven remaining states refer to "God" in their religious freedom provisions." Indeed, Kentucky's own constitution, established in 1891, states: "We, the people of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties..."
That being the case, one might presume atheists don't have a case when it comes to stripping God from our government. But then again....
