Posted on 09/26/2005 8:26:45 PM PDT by Keyes2000mt
If you are nostalgic for the days when the Ten Commandments were posted in public buildings, you might want to consider visiting the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians.
The tribal council is making plans to mount a copy of the Ten Commandments in the council house where government meetings are held, and possibly display them throughout other public buildings in the Cherokee Nation of western North Carolina.
The idea was introduced by Councilwoman Angela Kephart last month. She said the tribe should display the Ten Commandments out of respect and devotion to God. The motion passed unanimously.
"We aren't saying you have to abide by the Ten Commandments," Kephart said, according to the Smoky Mountain News. "We are simply displaying God's Ten Commandments. That's what He expects from each and every individual. If you break that, it is between you and God. It is not between you and the tribal council; it is between you and God."
There is no First Amendment issue involved, and even if the American Civil Liberties Union wanted to make one, it can't. The U.S. Constitution does not apply to Cherokee, nor to any other Native American tribe for that matter, according to Cherokee's Attorney General David Nash.
"We are a sovereign nation and we can pretty much post anything we want in our council chambers," said Kephart. "For once the federal government is not going to tell us what to do. We can feel good about it because we are standing up for God. The more it becomes controversial, the more we need to stand firm."
Kephart was clear about her desire to promote Christianity.
"God has blessed our tribe," she said. "We have a very rich tribe, per se. We are operating on over a $200 million budget thanks to our gaming enterprise."
Posting the Ten Commandments doesn't prevent others from practicing their religion, explained Nash.
"Anybody can practice any religion they want to practice," Nash said.
Ain't freedom great.
Beautiful!
I get choked up as well when I go to pow wows in which the Seneca Nation Vets march proudly with the US flag.
And that is precisely why the Akaka Bill giving Hawaiians some measure of sovreignity should never be passed by the U.S. Congress.
: )
Way for them to say 'screw you' to all the non-christian cherokees.
I'm 1/64th.......out of the money.......: )
Evidently 1/16th is too, because I haven't seen any of it. ;)
Exactly.
I guess we are stuck with reverting back to earning our OWN living.....................aw shucks : )
Guess nobody ever said life would be fair. ;)
Luckily for them, "Thou Shalt Not Gamble" was on the 3rd tablet that broke.
"God has blessed our tribe," she said. "We have a very rich tribe, per se. We are operating on over a $200 million budget thanks to our gaming enterprise."
Thank God for gambling and the Trail of Tears!
See, they wouldn't go after the Cherokees anyway, because they have been oppressed by the white man and ... um, for some reason they will be alingned with the ACLU in their minds. (I cann't quite 'reason' in the ACLU way, but I can see it coming).
NOPE
Yes, I am quite surprised to hear this from the Cherokees. Becz of Hollywood stereotypes, most likely. Good for them.
Bump.
Does she refer to the gambling enterprise? If yes, what an ironical statement...
My wife and I moved to Western NC a few years ago from rural NY. We like it here living on Lake James, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mtns. We still have four seasons and it's easy to get a CCW permit. Asheville is a (secret) gem of a city, and close to the Smokey Mtns. where the Cherokees live.
We spent 20+ YEARS researching where we wanted to retire. We "landed" on Lake James about 6 years ago when we bought 2 acres of raw lake 400' front on the Lake. Built a 3,200 sq ft house three years ago, and love it here. If anyone wants more info, send me a FReepmail
http://www.dukepower.com/community/lakes/lakelevels/
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