Georgia governor engaged in Bible dispute

[rug]

By KATE BRUMBACK and RUSS BYNUM | Associated Press – 22 hrs ago

ATLANTA (AP) — When Ed Buckner and his family went to a north Georgia state park to celebrate his son's birthday, he was surprised and concerned to find Bibles in the state-owned cabin he had rented.

An atheist, Buckner believes that no religious literature should be provided in government-owned lodging, and he presented that concern to management at the Amicalola Falls State Park.

Officials told Buckner they would remove the Bibles from all state park resorts while the state attorney general looked into the matter. Not long afterward, however, the AG issued a ruling saying the state was on firm legal ground because it hadn't paid for the books. On Wednesday, Gov. Nathan Deal ordered the Bibles returned.

Deal argued that if the state didn't pay for them, it can't be seen as endorsing them. He also noted that any religious group can donate literature. But his action sparked a string of comments on social media and captured the attention of local news television stations. It also prompted some to question why this hasn't been more of an issue in the U.S. before.

http://news.yahoo.com/georgia-governor-engaged-bible-dispute-225000377.html

[Phillip McCleod]

1. personally i never resent finding a cheap bible in a rented room..

..saves the trip to the gas station for rolling papers.

[Democracyinkind]

10. That's funny - but be careful

The bleach in old paper and the typing print is not good for your lungs.

This obsolete public health warning was brought to you by stoners for responsible rolling practices.

[Phillip McCleod]

14. heh.. thx for playing along..

[cbayer]

2. Having been on the road now for over a month, and having stayed in many motels,

I have seen fewer bibles than in the past. I wonder if the Gideons have stopped or decreased their efforts in this area.

I've also seen less shampoo and other toiletries, clocks, phones and even places without ice. However, there has been a notable uptick in small refrigerators and microwaves. Not sure what to make of that, but there it is.

[rug]

3. After a month on the road I hope you found some toiletries!

[cbayer]

4. We try to bathe before reaching destinations where we actually know people, lol.

[No Vested Interest]

8. When one stays in a Marriott brand hotel/motel,

a Book of Mormon is provided in the night-table.

And, you're correct about fewer toiletries provided these days - often just soap, shampoo, and conditioner, lotion if you're lucky. Of course, I'm usually in mid-range hotels, and look for those that have complimentary breakfasts, so maybe that explains the paucity of toiletries.

[cbayer]

13. Makes sense, since the LDS own Marriott, if I recall correctly.

FWIW, the Book of Mormon has provided us with much entertainment when on the road.

We tend to stay a low end motels and many are just plain "no frills" these days. That's fine with me. We carry our own espresso/cappuccino machine, milk and cereal. They can keep their breakfasts.

[okasha]

5. So much for the claim

that an atheist can't be elected to public office. And in the Bible Belt, yet.

[skepticscott]

6. Silly straw man

Who is making that claim? Only an idiot would think that was true..

[Lordquinton]

7. Exception to prove the rule.

[dimbear]

9. Just to be clear, it's not the governor who's an atheist. It's the complainant.

The governor is the usual.

[Democracyinkind]

11. "Georgia's atheist governor"

wonder how long we'll wait for that to happen...

[muriel_volestrangler]

12. Let's take a look at the Gov's record:

Strongly Favors topic 4:
Teacher-led prayer in public schools
(-5 points on Social scale)
Supports anti-flag desecration amendment: Favors topic 4
Supports requiring schools to allow prayer: Favors topic 4
Rated 92% by the Christian Coalition: a pro-Family-Value voting record: Strongly Favors topic 4
Rated 0% by the AU, indicating opposition to church-state separation: Strongly Favors topic 4
Supports a Constitutional Amendment for school prayer: Strongly Favors topic 4
YES on giving federal aid only to schools allowing voluntary prayer: Strongly Favors topic 4
YES on allowing school prayer during the War on Terror: Strongly Favors topic 4
YES on constitutional amendment prohibiting flag desecration: Favors topic 4
YES on protecting the Pledge of Allegiance: Favors topic 4
NO on allowing Courts to decide on "God" in Pledge of Allegiance: Favors topic 4

http://www.ontheissues.org/GA/Nathan_Deal.htm

Yeah, it's the Bible Belt. What did you expect? He's a hard-right conservative. He was (is?) a Sunday school teacher and deacon in a Baptist church. He would have had an 'inaugural prayer service' is bad weather hadn't cancelled it.

[Phillip McCleod]

15. the gov. deal isn't an atheist.. he put the bibles *back*. \n

[okasha]

16. I know.

I let the mistake stand to see what responses it would get. A couple were...informative.

[Phillip McCleod]

17. not really.. 'informative' i mean.

what *is* 'informative' however..

well..

[Bad Thoughts]

18. " ordered the Bibles returned"?

Ordered whom? I have no problems with this until the governor orders state employees to place literature. That is an form of endorsement. ETA: will park officials be responsible for checking that bibles are present in cabins? what if the officials do no comply.

[rug]

19. Here's an update.

Atheist Group Sends Books to Georgia State Parks to Place Next to Gideon Bibles Inside Cabins

http://www.christianpost.com/news/atheist-group-sends-books-to-georgia-state-parks-to-place-next-to-gideon-bibles-inside-cabins-96171/

[cbayer]

20. That's cool and seems appropriate.

[rug]

21. Maybe, but I'd rather run into Sanford after a day of hiking than The God Delusion.

[cbayer]

22. I'd rather have a clean bath tub and some nice towels.