Mayor R. Rex Parris of Lancaster, CA, a community north of Los Angeles, has a prescription for making the Antelope Valley city a better place to live: make it more Christian. "We're growing a Christian community," Mayor Parris told the audience at a Tuesday state of the city address. "And don't let anybody shy away from that." He also urged citizens to support a municipal ballot measure in April that would allow prayers, even sectarian prayers mentioning specific deities, at city meetings. The mayor sponsored the ballot measure after the ACLU, in response to complaints, sent the city a letter requesting "that Lancaster immediately cease opening its City Council and Planning Commission meetings with Christian prayers, or prayers that are specific to any one particular sect or religion" or face a lawsuit.Parris, who's been mayor of the city of 145,000 since 2008, said in an interview Friday that he thought most people of other faiths supported him and understood that his vision of Lancaster as a "Christian community" was not intended to "infringe" on other religions. He said that his remarks were taken out of context and that he was surprised by the objections from secularists and non-Christians.
Rob Boston, a senior policy analyst for the watchdog group, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, had this to say, "There's no such thing as a Christian government or an officially Christian community in the United States. Our Constitution is a secular document establishing religious freedom for everybody."
"Any politician who thinks his job is to act like a pastor is seriously misguided and probably needs to get out of office," he added.
Mayor Parris is not the only Lancaster politician to feel the heat over religious remarks lately. On January 23rd, City Councilwoman Sherry Marquez made some comments in Facebook about the case of a Muslim man accused of beheading his wife in Orchard Park, N.Y.
"This is what the Muslim religion is all about - the beheadings, honor killings are just the beginning of what is to come in the USA," She wrote. "We are told this is a small majority of Muslim's (sic) in America, but it is truly what they are all about. You disrespect/dishonor them or their religion and you should die (they don't even blink at killing their own wives/daughters, because they are justified by their religion)."
Reaction from the Muslim community, which makes up about 2.7% of the Antelope Valley population, was almost immediate. Kamal Al-Khatib, head of the Islamic Institute of the Antelope Valley, called the remarks insulting and inflammatory and said Islam does not condone murder.
"This is not acceptable coming from a woman who is in office," said Al-Khatib on Friday. "She has to respect the Constitution of the United States of America, which calls for respect for all religions."
Marquez has not responded to contact attempts by either Al-Khatib's organization or the L.A. chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, but she made a brief apology at a city council meeting where some Muslim leaders were present.
A spokesman said Friday that she would have no further comment.
Photo Credit:
1) Mayor R. Rex Parris (Lancaster city gov. photo)
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Comments
Let em, why not- see if they all go to one place than they may leave the rest of us alone to live in peace!
There are also many communities whose citizens are allmost entirely one belief, those that are not live peaceful with them knowing they are in the minority vote, you can not separate a persons faith from their conscience and people make laws that reflect their conscience.
This business of "being offended" by the majorities faith practice is absurd, your complaints and law suits offend us!
I someone does not like our prayer then let them wait their turn and then they can pray in a public setting as well and we will give them the same respect that they should give us.
Even mr. boston can talk to himself if he likes.
The 1st amendment is not about the suppression of faith but the fair and "free exercise thereof".
Like it or not the articles were drafted by a vast majority of , are you ready, CHRISTIANS, Our founders not only believed in GOD but in Jesus as well. yet we all worked it out with the others for 150 years without the
inter-FEAR-ance of the ACLU. Get a clue!
Lancaster California is the dumping ground for the itinerate reactionaries and nare-do-wells of Southern California. A legendary aviator of the golden age aledgedly refered to it as "...the ass-hole of the world.., but a great place to fly airplanes'. It would be easy to say 'put all of the @%%-*^&$% in one place so they don't bother the rest of us', but like any other cancer, the fetid growth of poison thought that permeates this valley will grow and fester and spread. One day the region, the state, the country will have to meet it head on. That time is better for us all if it comes sooner rather than latter. The city government cares not for the civil rights of it's citizens, visitors, or objectionists. It cares not for the constitution of the state of California or for that of the United States of America. The political elite of Lancaster rise each morning amid the humble sands of a waste strewn desert and and dawn an air of aristocracy that is not their right to wear. And then they say; 'we will do what we want to do, right or wrong, legal or not, and you just try to stop us'. All that evil requires for triumph, is for good men to do nothing. In this 'modern age' we are too entrenched in the propaganda fostered fear of our neighbors to speak out, or to act, to preserve the freedoms and high standards that our bold and darring fore fathers left to us in legacy...land of the free; home of the brave? not in Lancaster.
Patriot-Preacher, please go to the official US Archives website, with the official transcript of the US Constitution, and do a word search for the word "god." It doesn't come up on my search. I've actually read the Constitution. Maybe you were reading the Bible, and like Mayor Parris, you got them mixed up.
The Constitution, particularly the First Amendment protects YOUR freedom as well as everyone else's. If ever there is an officially established religion in this country, YOU will be one of the first to complain, because it will not be exactly to your liking. You will no longer be able to worship as you see fit, but only as the government tells you to.
By trying to establish his city as an official "Christian community," Mayor Parris is betraying the trust of his office to faithfully represent all of his constituents without bias. His city does not deserves the inevitable lawsuits, but he does. Misguided civic leaders try this all over the country, and they regret it every t
I'm unhappy. It's not that some people don't understand the Constitution that upsets me either. I've learned to live with that. No, what upsets me is that no one commented on the lovely pun I put into the first sentence! Not even a groan...
Mayor "R. Rex" "has a prescription". C'mon, people! At least groan to let me know you got it...
:^)
I'm okay with silencing theocrats like Parris and religiose ragemongers like "Patriot-Preacher" (the "patriot" bit is particularly laughable, since clearly he doesn't understand what our country is about.) Of course I advocate silencing through purely legal means, and not through the torture, murder, and vilifying that religious types have advocated through the centuries. Long live the ACLU!
Those who choose to violate the First Commandment by acknowledging a human being as a deity should be given no let or hindrance in that matter. Most religions do net even acknowledge the Commandments.
While the Constitution may include the term God, it is mistaken to believe that it refers to the Christian god. In fact, the Founding Fathers were not orthodox Christians; instead, they were products of the Enlightenment and held pluralistic and proto-theosophic beliefs (i.e., all religions were valid and equal paths to the Ultimate Truth). Moreover, Mr. Parris certainly has every legal right to voice his opinion and beliefs regarding Christianity. However, to import such an opinion and belief and formalize it into public policy is an anathema to what the Founding Fathers would have wanted. The government -- and its officials -- must remain non-religious in their capacity as public servants in an effort to uphold the Constitution's protection of differing religions. By endorsing any one specific religious tradition in government, it implicitly alienates all remaining religions.
Sorry, Hugh, here you go...
*groan* that was terrible.
I remember R. Rex Parris as an ambulance chaser from his commercials when I was stationed at Edwards AFB in the 90s. You would think he had to have a class in constitutional law somewhere in his education. If it isn't a requirement for law students, it should be.
He is STILL an ambulance chaser but now he is backed by the Lancaster Baptist Church and is attempting to change our laws to reflect a Christian, White, Rich only society out here in the high Desert! I live near Lancaster and the laws that He Smith and Marquez are pushing for the Church are horribly unconstitutional...
It is illegal to be homeless now in Lancaster!!! HE hates the poor, the Black, the Mexican, the Middle Eastern (Unless they are Christian converts...? I don't know why he thinks all middle eastern people are Muslim...?) the Jews, the Atheists, and Children apparently... He has violated the California Constitution that he swore an OATH to, he is a vile person and I wait for his exposure and Jail Sentencing!
Good for U Parris - This country needs to return to it's Christian Roots. This country thrived when the citizenry lived by more christain principals. What the H--- is wrong with the hate mongoring athei-Musl-anti-christ and anti American ACLU and those who follow that crowd. We are losing the America many of us grew up in and loved. Radicals without principals have been interfering to much and too long. True americans should take a stand. The mayor is right on - better to live in a Christian Community (and country) then to live without principals and morals. Amen
you are an absolute retard if you think that christians create a moral community. who's more responsible for more political abuses and killings than christians. to each their own, and in their own home. seperattion of church and state was made for a very god reason. rex's bible has been a tool for him to use on the public of lancaster. being a christian doesn't make a person any better than the next person.
Right and wrong are defined by culture/society/beliefs. What is considered acceptable or moral in one culture will be reprehensible or immoral in another. There is no universal code of morality, and people are not born knowing right from wrong (since it has not been defined for them yet).
Christian morality falls under the belief category. It's just another outline of morality that many people choose to accept and follow (or attempt to/claim to follow).
Jay, unless you are willing to protect the freedom of speech of Americans who disagree with you, then you are not a "true American. Unless you are willing to protect the freedom of religion and freedom from religion of people who believe differently than you, then you are not a "true American.
The freedom of speech and religion that you are so blithely enjoying right now was protected by people who disagreed with you and believed differently from you. They gave their lives so that you can say and believe what you do.
"Real Americans" are willing to protect the freedom of all Americans, not just the ones they like. We are all free or none of us are free.
What Parris is trying to do is selfish, bigoted and deeply un-American.
What ever happened to our admontion that we should church and state?
Muslims represent THE biggest threat existing to this country.
Islam is not just another religion. It is a 'religion' which does not tolerate other religions and a principle creed demands the overthrow of the United States and all other non-Islamic nations; the conversion or death of all non-Muslim inhabitants; and the establishment of world-wide Sharia law.
Politically correct Europe is now being overrun by Islam. Muslims there have not blended into the cultures and when their numbers have increased sufficiently, they have established colonies with basically their own inner Muslim governments of Sharia law.
In many of these colonies, Muslims have established their own schools in place of government schools, and non-Muslims have been forced out of their neighborhoods by threats. beatings, and killings. Government officials are even fearful to enter.
Islam is NOT a peaceful religion, but a system of political, economic, military, legal, religious, and strict social con
Please, RICHARD WADE, wake-up to reality.
The issue isn't about peaceful worship. It is about the preservation of the rights of all that are being threatened by a single philosophical religious belief (Islam) which goal is to take-over and dominate the world; as it has now done in over 60 nations over a span of 14 centuries.
This country was founded upon Christian ideals, not the Qur'an, the collections of Hadith, and the Sunnah.
Real Americans will patriotically stand-up and defend the ideals in which this country was founded upon. Not roll-over for the political correctness which is currently destroying European cultures.
Praise God and Glorify God, and No--- We will not back down from the Truth, the Only Truth. I pray to God that your eyes are opened before you have to stand before Him.... For it is Written Romans 14:11 As surely as I live, 'Says the Lord, ' Every knee will bend to Me, and Every tongue will confess and give Praise to God.' I pray that this nation, and it's people realize this before it's too late. Selah- I thank God for the Boldness of Mayer Parris
Ted, you have been listening to fear-mongering bigots. A century ago these types of people spread the idea that Jews ate Christian babies. There are people in the U.S. who are trying to re-write history, to justify their ambitions to trash the Constitution and start their own theocracy, and one of their lies is that the Founding Fathers were all Christians.
Most of them were deists, and George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and James Madison to name just a few, had plenty to say against the intrusion of Christianity into government. They remembered freshly the horrors in Europe caused by state-sanctioned religion, and they didn't want that to happen here. You seem to want to bring that nightmare back. Your vision of a "Christian ideals"-based America sounds just as intolerant as your ignorant characterization of Islam. I'll have neither, thank you. Keep government and religion separate. They corrupt each other.
Ted, you have been listening to fear-mongering bigots. A century ago these types of people spread the idea that Jews ate Christian babies. There are people in the U.S. who are trying to re-write history, to justify their ambitions to trash the Constitution and start their own theocracy, and one of their lies is that the Founding Fathers were all Christians.
Most of them were deists, and George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and James Madison to name just a few, had plenty to say against the intrusion of Christianity into government. They remembered freshly the horrors in Europe caused by state-sanctioned religion, and they didn't want that to happen here. You seem to want to bring that nightmare back. Your vision of a "Christian ideals"-based America sounds just as intolerant as your ignorant characterization of Islam. I'll have neither, thank you. Keep government and religion separate. They corrupt each other.
RICHARD WADE, the past horrors of Europe in which you relate are repeating themselves TODAY with an Islamic tsunami. You fail to speak of this reality by covering over it and speaking of religious freedom.
Well, the Muslim freedom in which you are fighting for is to allow Muslims to take over the United States and establish Islamic rule and Sharia law. Allah requires that you to submit and convert to Islam or be killed as an infidel.
Our country's founding fathers were Christians. They wanted religious freedom. But they were not counting on providing religious freedom to a religion which has as a creed the destruction of the nation in which they (our founding fathers) were attempting to build.
Seriously, RICHARD WADE, you need to spend some time on the Internet exploring Islam; how it is destroying the cultures of Europe, its jihad on democracy, and it's system to slowly populate an infidel country and then to take it over.
You have a lot to learn before you speak.
Ted, I don't want Islam to be the rule of the land and I don't want Christianity to be the rule of the land either. I want democracy to be the rule of the land.
You are presenting a false dichotomy, an either/or choice between a Muslim theocracy such as those in the Middle East, or a Christian Theocracy such as those in 1600's Europe. Both are tyrannical nightmares. Government must remain secular so that it can protect our civil liberties from interference by ANY and ALL religions.
The exact form of Christianity that you are practicing right now is not what you would be allowed to practice if what Parris wants spreads across this nation. You will be forced to worship as the government prescribes, not as your conscience dictates. When has the government ever handled something like that well? If you advocate throwing away your own freedom just to protect yourself from slavery under Islam, you'll be just as much a slave under any other theocracy's boot, including Christianity.
RICHARD WADE... I have NOT advocated Christianity to rule the land, only that this country was founded upon Christian principles; and you are over reaching in referencing Christian theocracy as those in 1600. Christianity has evolved; but Islam hasn't in 1400 years.
Because of its rigid structure, Islam cannot change. That's why in Islam beheading is still common. Prophet Mo personally beheaded his captives by the hundreds. Mo is the Muslim's ideal of the most perfect human and who is to be imitated.
I differ in your belief that Christianity is a "tyrannical nightmare." Christianity brought us this free country. Islam is bringing us tyrannical Sharia law where YOU will be forced to submit to Islamic rule. Of course, you can resist but under Islam, Allah's command is clear that you must be then killed.
Under Islam, there is no democracy, only Allah's commands which were only revealed to the demonic pedophile Mo who when such acts suited, Allah would reveal his accep
We have elected the first Muslim president.
Little surprise that as one of his first actions he signed an Executive Order which funded millions of dollars to enable hundreds of thousands of Muslims to immigrate to the United States.
Are you talking about Ex-president George W. Bush...? He wasn't REALLY a Muslim, he was joking... ;-)
We still have not made that leap yet, and hopefully we will stop electing Christians, thanks to their help at showing how hateful and vile heir Mythology is...
JUst out of curiousity Ted, what executive order was that?
Goodbye Ted, I won't waste any more breath arguing with a childish paranoid who believes every sky-is-falling rumor he hears, like Obama is a Muslim. Grow up. Have the courage, humility and maturity to go meet and get to know some of the Muslims in your community. You'll have the earth-shattering shock to find they're not the ogres you believe they are. How many scapegoats have you gone through, in your need to be terrified of a boogeyman? Commies? Jews? Blacks? Latinos? Gays? Now it's the Muslims. Do you go through your bigotries one at a time, or do you collect them all?
RICHARD WADE, there is so much evidence given in the media substantiating Barack Obama as a Muslim that you should be totally ashamed of yourself for trying to convince people otherwise.
Why do you think that he changed his original name of Barry to the Muslim name of Barack? Why in his book 'The Audacity of Hope' does he fully support the Muslim agenda? Why was he the first president to spur every traditional Christian celebration last Christmas? Why doesn't he profess a Christian or other faith? Yeah, to acquire and maintain the Presidency he will occasionally attend a "chapel" at Camp David or some place so that it can be publicized, but that is it.
Check it all out on the Internet. There is ample proof on the subject.
Barack Obama is clearly a Muslim.
HUGH KRAMER, regarding Obama opening the door for hundreds of thousands of Muslims to enter this country, you have to go back to the first two weeks of his presidency. Despite our terrible recession, this was one of the first things he did.
There is information about his Executive Order on the Internet, but he has attempted to let this slip under the radar.
Try the website: wizbangblog.com/content/2009/02/07/obama-signs-executive-order-allowing-palestinians-loyal-to-hamas-to-resettle-in-us.php
Please note the radicals he's pandering to.
I live in Lancaster CA and I am talking from experience when I say that Mayor Parris is a power hungry control freak. If he wants to be a preacher then he should resign office - religion has no place in gov't. I do NOT want the Christian agenda legally forced on people (and I'm a Christian). This is not the right way. If Lancaster wants to be a Christian community then there's nothing stopping the people of Lancaster from doing just that, but gov't should not decide it. It's against the constitution and, quite frankly, a little nuts. One of the reasons this country thrives and is one of the best countries in the world is because we have freedom of religion. To legally go down this road would be disastrous for the country as a whole, not just this quiet little town in Calif. It really does amaze me how much some Christians think of no one but themselves. And for all you so-called Christians that are in support of this, please stop and think for a minute: What would Christ do?
For goodness sakes! You cannot force Christianity on people. What he's doing doesn't even make any sense. Okay, let's say worst case scenario, he manages to get this municipal ballot measure through... then what? Do all of the Atheists, Jews, Muslims and Buddhists have to move out of the city? Will there be mandatory church attendance? Everyone must get a cross tattooed on their forehead???
The only thing he will succeed in doing is going against the Constitution of the United States and bringing the wrath of Civil Rights lawyers everywhere down on his head. This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. This man has lost his marbles.
BRYN said:
"And for all you so-called Christians that are in support of this, please stop and think for a minute: What would Christ do?"
ANSWER: BRYN, on your judgment day, you will find out.
As for the Christians, they'll probably be in much better shape. : )
You can 'actually taste' the fear and hate exuding from poor Ted. I wish someone was there to help him heal from whatever made him hurt this much... :-(
I like what the Mayor said...we need more like him. Muslims are not tolerant of other religions. There isnt another country that tolerates other religions like America does. We should not feel intimidated in our own country.
Thank GOD for people who still take advantage (while we have it) of FREE speech. If Mr. Parrish believes that we should have Christian values, may I ask what is wrong with him stating it? I didn't notice him saying we should 'hate' other religions. Think about what Christian VALUES are - love they neighbor as thyself - comes to mind. It is the lack of good (Christian or otherwise) values that have gotten this country to where it is - case in point, the beating of the 15 year old in the subway while security guards stood and watched. That would not have happened 50 years ago. GO Mr. Parrish, and all others who aren't AFRAID of free speech.
lol
Ron Smith and Marvin Crist two little gumby 'yes' guys for Rex Perris may get their wish to be further bully and lord over the citizenry of Lancaster, Ca.
Ron Smith a bird painter, art instructor and a one time bailiff is actually a mealy mouthed coward. He couldn't punch his way out of a wet paper bag if it were already ripped.
Big man in a small fish bowl like Crist and Perris however unlike the other two Smith was working as a bailiff in the Van Nuys court when a defendant that was brought in got his hands on a gun. As the court ducked for cover Ron ran out the double doors for his own protection as a Mexican Baliff emptied his clip on the defendant. Ok he was a sheriff but retired as a coward. Cut and run Ronny for Lancaster council.
Now we also got Marvin Christ a plant 42 firefighter who was subsequently kicked off the force for not following directives. A Plant 42 Firefighter has the best job in the world. All you have to do is show up and clean the trucks and run around the
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD, IM A MAN OF GOD, AND ON A MISSION TO SPEAK THE TRUTH. IM AFTER THE ENEMY THAT TOOK CONTROL OF PEOPLES MIND I GIVE THIS WARNING TO WHOMEVER HARBORS THE ENEMY, DON'T GO TO SLEEP. IM COMING THROUGH THE NIGHT LIKE A THIEF, TO STEAL THE ENEMY FROM YOU. 2 CHRONICLES 7:14 AND LUKE 1:17, THIS IS THE SEASON TO PLANT THE SEED OF FAITH AND HAVE A POSITIVE MIND. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS
Ewww... Keep your hate to yourself... ?
If you're trying to come like a thief in the night Larry, than perhaps you shouldn't SHOUT. Who could sleep with you making that rude racket anyway?
For all of you who think it is wrong to have prayer before a city council meeting, you obviously have not read the United States Constitution. Amendment One - Amendment I Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. I can't quite figure out why Christians are demonized because we believe in Jesus Christ. Why does it bother so many that Christians want to thank God for his mercies. Seems pretty innocent to me. You might want to try a prayer yourself, "seek and you will find"...What will it hurt, if he's not real you just proved it to yourself and nothing lost, but just for a minute "what if", what if he is real. Life if not always as it seems. It's not about religion, it is about God. Good Luck!
Oh my... This one is awful... I wonder if she will ever figure our how ugly her hate and anger make her seem on-line? I hope she has it together enough to only be a 'keyboard warrior' and dos not take it another step into Christendom and start murdering Dr's for providing abortions... :-(
this retard here calls people keyboard warriors? when was the last time you got off you anorexic ass and did something in the community other than try to prove to people your not crazy? your pathetic just plain pathetic, and you actually plan on running for a senate seat. good luck with that, you are a joke! and don't ever forget it. a sad waste of life you are, trying and trying but eventually you will have to realize how much of a p.o.s. you are in life and probably end up committing suicide, good for you you no good waste of afterbirth.
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