Murfreesboro’s Bible Park USA: Unconstitutional?
When TN state Attorney General was asked the question: “May Rutherford County officials legally authorize the use of tax-increment financing under (state law) for a religious, privately-owned business entity?”
His answer was that the use of public funds for an individual project “would depend on all the facts and circumstances” of the development and the deal with the local government.
Anyone familiar with the situation knows that the residents don’t want this park. Does that matter to the developers in bed with a city government that has already shown disdain for the Separation of Church and State by posting the 10 Commandments in the courthouse? Hell no. (That asinine decision by the holy roller City Commissioners’ cost Murfreesboro taxpayers $50,000).
The Republican City Mayor Ernest Burgess has come out in favor of the park according to the Murfreesboro Post. That figures. Forget about what residents want and the public good, when there’s money to be made by developers, Republicans jump. Meanwhile the Rutherford Chamber of Commerce hosts a dog and pony show pushing the park calling it a “faith and family destination,” - a clear admission that this is potentially an illegal government-funded religion promoting venture.
I would really like to hear the State Attorney General’s opinion on the constitutionality of a proposed theme park called Mohammed’s Koran Castle, or Krishna’s Bhagavad Gita Historic Park? Would he see those as constitutional? I have a feeling his answer would be a little more clear.
I’ve mixed feelings on this park. My friends who live in the Blackman community are split as well; some ambivalent, some hostile, some supportive.
There’s no reason to deny the park because it’s faith-based. I would much rather hang around with people of faith than with atheists and their ilk; given that most of those sorts are egotistical and self-righteous, with no true moral character. And just plain unpleasant.
But get around a person of true faith, one who has spiritual ties to their creator and understands the purpose of life, then that person exudes good-will and cheerfulness.
Unless of course you mix faith and politics. Look at the Jeremiah Wrights, the Black Liberation Theologists, who use their supposedly spiritual pulpits to exhort race hatred; and look at the hooting and howling throngs who cheer those sermons and go out and vote Democratic. Those, spiritual, not so much.
But I hear the Wright sorts can perform weddings and baptisms…
That settles it. William is against it; I’m for it. I’ll call the mayor tomorrow.
There’s no reason to deny the park because it’s faith-based.
As long as it’s your faith
The power of the federal government is few and defined, the power given to the states are infinite. Just because they can doesn’t mean they should. A park is pork too!
WTF is a ‘bible park’? Wouldn’t they be better off putting in a science park? Or a sports park? Or an art and music park? Leave it to corrupt city governement to ram a gov’t funded religious park down the throats of residents who don’t want it. They could only get away with that deep in Jesus Land, the land of the ignorant and gullible - where people are herded like sheep.
And to think the government is still pouring money into Planned Parenthood. There’s an organization I don’t want, but somehow it’s still getting plenty of federal funding. My poor throat and all that ramming!
Hey Cap’n, Planned P might someday help your daughter/sister/friend abort that baby from the repulsive thug asshole that fucked or raped her
I would like to report abusive and cursing language. Please can you not have an intelligent thought and be able to convey it with out this ?
Hey, JTF, that Bible Park may just bring in enough tourist revenue to really spruce up the local area and give jobs to many local residents. Wow, JOBS! How dare they bring in JOBS. Jerks.
Murfreesboro doesn’t need a bible park to create jobs. With a new mall and shopping complex, we’re doing just fine.
It’s unconstitutional. It’s an embarrassment.
Serr8d:
So you prefer of the company of folks that think like yourself?
What a revelation.
Also, the Reverend Wright issue is not going to get that much traction among white people that are not just now discovering to their surprise/horror that black Americans may have a tendency to be a bit angry about how they are treated by their homeland.