The First Amendment to the United States Constitution states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
With that said...taxpayer money absolutely NOT be used to recognize a Churches existence. Originally authored by Jefferson and championed by Madison, and guaranteeing that NO ONE may be compelled to finance any religion or denomination.
… "No man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever."
On the agenda for the next BCC meeting Tuesday the 22nd at the Walton County Courthouse Cecilia Jones has herself on the Agenda for; "Recognition of Vision Church at Christian International for 30 years of service."
First of all Ms. Jones...that Church is NOT even in your District but then again...neither are you! While you may attend a Church in South Walton or anywhere else you choose, it would be nice if you attended one somewhere in your district that you don't support either! We have Churches up here that are over 100 years old and I don't recall a single elected BCC member ever asking for recognition of the Churches they attend mostly I assume, because it absolutely VIOLATES the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
Secondly, if you spend one dime of taxpayer money to purchase the plaque that you want to give a Church in Tony Anderson District that you attend, YOU BETTER DO SO WITH YOUR OWN MONEY! I PROMISE YOU I WILL FILE ANOTHER ETHICS COMPLAINT AGAINST YOU SO FAST, YOU WON'T KNOW WHAT HIT YOU! IF ANY OTHER COMMISSIONERS SUPPORT YOUR HAIR BRAINED IDEA TO USE TAXPAYER MONEY, I'LL FILE ETHICS COMPLAINTS AGAINST THEM ALSO! STOP YOUR MADNESS AND STOP USING TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO SUPPORT YOUR IDIOCY!
P.S. It would be nice if you actually lived in the District you are supposed to represent as well.
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Beach FanaticAuthor
I asked what they have done to help those in Walton County???
Something that struck me about the video also was the story of the man incarcerated whose wife needed 1000.00 to pay the rent. Make a long story short they prayed about it but never offered a dime to help with the need.
Something that struck me about the video also was the story of the man incarcerated whose wife needed 1000.00 to pay the rent. Make a long story short they prayed about it but never offered a dime to help with the need.
Beach FanaticAuthor
Watched the video and I can appreciate it. It appears sincere.
This appears to be a new group of leaders as opposed to the ones I'm familiar with.
I have no issue with those that help the people that need it. I do my part every day and don't advertise it to you.
I do have issue with those that use this to facilitate Political Agendas...
Actually @John G it's the son of the infamous "Kansas City Prophets" Bill Hamon
Beach Fanatic
Actually @John G it's the son of the infamous "Kansas City Prophets" Bill HamonWow...
Beach Fanatic
What's sad is that no one on this site will even Google "Kansas City Prophets"... 
Beach FanaticAuthor
This last winter when the temperatures reached below freezing and the South Walton Library was no longer available to help shelter the homeless in SoWal because some uppity folks didn't want "their kind" mucking up there pristine views and made comments that the library stank after keeping them, there was a concerted effort to reach out to the Churches down there by volunteers and when some churches were called they never returned phone calls and that Church has never reached out to help.
Beach Fanatic
This last winter when the temperatures reached below freezing and the South Walton Library was no longer available to help shelter the homeless in SoWal because some uppity folks didn't want "their kind" mucking up there pristine views and made comments that the library stank after keeping them, there was a concerted effort to reach out to the Churches down there by volunteers and when some churches were called they never returned phone calls and that Church has never reached out to help.This is very telling. If there is proof of this, it needs to be exposed. Total Hypocrisy.
On all sides...
Beach FanaticAuthor
This is very telling. If there is proof of this, it needs to be exposed. Total Hypocrisy.
On all sides...
Oh it happened...ask Jeff Goldberg. Frank Day will be happy to tell you that sorted mess.
Beach Lover
What's sad is we all get to read about is how on happy you are here. I suggest moving. It might make you happy. I know it would make the rest of us happy. By the way I like nipper it's all these negative post about the county from visitors ,local ,bcc. Life guards ,law enforcement.
Beach FanaticAuthor
What's sad is we all get to read about is how on happy you are here. I suggest moving. It might make you happy. I know it would make the rest of us happy. By the way I like nipper it's all these negative post about the county from visitors ,local ,bcc. Life guards ,law enforcement.
You are not forced to read anything.
Beach Fanatic
When our officials combine what should be separate, you get all the nuts...
SATANIST REMOVED FROM ECUA MEETING | WZEP AM 1460
"...was removed from the ECUA meeting after trying to pray before the meeting was called to order resulting in a security guard instructed him to leave. After Suhor refused to leave, the guard pulled out what appeared to be a stun gun."
SATANIST REMOVED FROM ECUA MEETING | WZEP AM 1460
"...was removed from the ECUA meeting after trying to pray before the meeting was called to order resulting in a security guard instructed him to leave. After Suhor refused to leave, the guard pulled out what appeared to be a stun gun."
Beach FanaticAuthor
Is an Establishment Clause violation occurring at government meetings?
One of the most frequent complaints to the Freedom From Religion Foundation from the public over state/church violations concerns government officials opening government meetings with prayer.
It is inappropriate for public officials—many of whom have tax-paid positions and all of whom take an oath to uphold secular constitutions—to schedule prayer at government functions, or open government meetings with prayer and religious ritual.
While the U.S. Supreme Court has issued two unhelpful decisions about prayer at legislative meetings, you can still complain when you encounter government prayer. Just because the Supreme Court carved out an exception for some legislative prayer does not mean legislatures must schedule prayer. They are free to embrace secularism and to be responsive to citizen complaints and the need to avoid excluding constituents.
Without going to court, citizens and the Freedom From Religion Foundation have successfully halted sectarian prayer by local governments. Citizens have even persuaded local boards to drop prayer altogether or to substitute a moment of silence.
Citizens of all religions or no religion are compelled to come before local government bodies on civic, secular matters: variances, sewers, permits, licenses, repair, etc. They should not be subjected to a religious show or test, or be expected to bow heads and demonstrate religious obeisance at a government function. (We fail to see why divine guidance is needed over such earthly matters, anyway.)
Nor is it necessary to pray on taxpayers’ time and dime. Members of government boards are free to pray privately or to worship on their own time in their own way. When government bodies lend their power and prestige to religion, this amounts to a governmental endorsement that exclude one-fifth of the population —today one in five adult Americans is nonreligious. This practice inevitably will turn minorities, including atheists, Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Wiccans, into second-class citizens. Even when prayers are “nondenominational,” there is no way a government body may conduct prayer that will not inevitably exclude, divide and embarrass at least some taxpayers and constituents.
Even the Jesus of the New Testament condemned public prayer: “Enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut the door, pray to thy Father which is in secret” (Matt. 6:5-13).
Observing a strict separation of church and state will offend no one and include all citizens.
One of the most frequent complaints to the Freedom From Religion Foundation from the public over state/church violations concerns government officials opening government meetings with prayer.
It is inappropriate for public officials—many of whom have tax-paid positions and all of whom take an oath to uphold secular constitutions—to schedule prayer at government functions, or open government meetings with prayer and religious ritual.
While the U.S. Supreme Court has issued two unhelpful decisions about prayer at legislative meetings, you can still complain when you encounter government prayer. Just because the Supreme Court carved out an exception for some legislative prayer does not mean legislatures must schedule prayer. They are free to embrace secularism and to be responsive to citizen complaints and the need to avoid excluding constituents.
Without going to court, citizens and the Freedom From Religion Foundation have successfully halted sectarian prayer by local governments. Citizens have even persuaded local boards to drop prayer altogether or to substitute a moment of silence.
Citizens of all religions or no religion are compelled to come before local government bodies on civic, secular matters: variances, sewers, permits, licenses, repair, etc. They should not be subjected to a religious show or test, or be expected to bow heads and demonstrate religious obeisance at a government function. (We fail to see why divine guidance is needed over such earthly matters, anyway.)
Nor is it necessary to pray on taxpayers’ time and dime. Members of government boards are free to pray privately or to worship on their own time in their own way. When government bodies lend their power and prestige to religion, this amounts to a governmental endorsement that exclude one-fifth of the population —today one in five adult Americans is nonreligious. This practice inevitably will turn minorities, including atheists, Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Wiccans, into second-class citizens. Even when prayers are “nondenominational,” there is no way a government body may conduct prayer that will not inevitably exclude, divide and embarrass at least some taxpayers and constituents.
Even the Jesus of the New Testament condemned public prayer: “Enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut the door, pray to thy Father which is in secret” (Matt. 6:5-13).
Observing a strict separation of church and state will offend no one and include all citizens.
Beach Lover
With left wing politicians pandering to Muslims, why isn't Islam included in the doctrine of separation of church and state?
Beach Fanatic
With left wing politicians pandering to Muslims, why isn't Islam included in the doctrine of separation of church and state?It means any church.
Fox doofus.
Beach FanaticAuthor
When our officials combine what should be separate, you get all the nuts...
SATANIST REMOVED FROM ECUA MEETING | WZEP AM 1460
"...was removed from the ECUA meeting after trying to pray before the meeting was called to order resulting in a security guard instructed him to leave. After Suhor refused to leave, the guard pulled out what appeared to be a stun gun."
From the article...
Suhor has a long local history of advocating for religious freedom. He has allegedly challenged the Escambia County School District board, the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners and the Pensacola City Council to allow him and other members of non-traditional religions equal time and opportunity to express their beliefs, or lack thereof, at public events. He has repeatedly called for meeting invocations to be replaced with a moment of silence, and said county officials must honor the beliefs of either all or none.
I don't disagree with that....whether you think he's a nut job or not. That is the reason Church and State should always remain separate.
Just out of curiosity also...how many displaced families & pets did Did Christian International help during Irma and Harvey aside from praying for them?? Prayer is great but those folks need resources!
P.S. I thought it quite comical that during Irma the County was begging for volunteers. I guess Christian International is above actually getting in the trenches and getting their hands dirty.
Beach FanaticAuthor
It means any church.
Fox doofus.
I agree with the "any church" part. Your name calling is kinda childish.
Beach Fanatic
Prayer before public meetings is a long-standing tradition and part of our common heritage. And it is legal.
The fact is that the Supreme Court has ruled on this issue twice in recent years. In Galloway v. Town of Greece, the Court ruled:
"As a practice that has long endured, legislative prayer has become part of our heritage and tradition, part of our expressive idiom, similar to the Pledge of Allegiance, inaugural prayer, or the recitation of 'God save the United States and this honorable court' at the opening of this court's sessions," Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote.
It is a time-honored tradition to open public meetings with a prayer. It is appropriate to ask the blessings of our Creator on our public proceedings so long as those prayers do not promote or denigrate any specific sect or belief set. Our public prayers, along with the Pledge of Allegiance, set the tone for our meetings and serve as a reminder to conduct ourselves in a sober, thoughtful manner. Our heritage has been to conduct these traditional elements at the beginning of our meetings and there is no reason to change. No one is coerced into joining in or joining any particular faith and anyone in the audience or on the board can decide not to participate if they choose.
The law is clear and the law has not been violated. Questioning a practice that has wide popular support and is legal as declared by the United States Supreme Court is not producing one job, housing one homeless family or protecting any of our natural resources. It fact it will divide the community and prevent those issues from receiving the attention they deserve. We have many issues to discuss that are vital to the well-being of our citizens. In my opinion, this is not one of them.
The fact is that the Supreme Court has ruled on this issue twice in recent years. In Galloway v. Town of Greece, the Court ruled:
"As a practice that has long endured, legislative prayer has become part of our heritage and tradition, part of our expressive idiom, similar to the Pledge of Allegiance, inaugural prayer, or the recitation of 'God save the United States and this honorable court' at the opening of this court's sessions," Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote.
It is a time-honored tradition to open public meetings with a prayer. It is appropriate to ask the blessings of our Creator on our public proceedings so long as those prayers do not promote or denigrate any specific sect or belief set. Our public prayers, along with the Pledge of Allegiance, set the tone for our meetings and serve as a reminder to conduct ourselves in a sober, thoughtful manner. Our heritage has been to conduct these traditional elements at the beginning of our meetings and there is no reason to change. No one is coerced into joining in or joining any particular faith and anyone in the audience or on the board can decide not to participate if they choose.
The law is clear and the law has not been violated. Questioning a practice that has wide popular support and is legal as declared by the United States Supreme Court is not producing one job, housing one homeless family or protecting any of our natural resources. It fact it will divide the community and prevent those issues from receiving the attention they deserve. We have many issues to discuss that are vital to the well-being of our citizens. In my opinion, this is not one of them.
Beach FanaticAuthor
Prayer before public meetings is a long-standing tradition and part of our common heritage. And it is legal.
The fact is that the Supreme Court has ruled on this issue twice in recent years. In Galloway v. Town of Greece, the Court ruled:
"As a practice that has long endured, legislative prayer has become part of our heritage and tradition, part of our expressive idiom, similar to the Pledge of Allegiance, inaugural prayer, or the recitation of 'God save the United States and this honorable court' at the opening of this court's sessions," Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote.
It is a time-honored tradition to open public meetings with a prayer. It is appropriate to ask the blessings of our Creator on our public proceedings so long as those prayers do not promote or denigrate any specific sect or belief set. Our public prayers, along with the Pledge of Allegiance, set the tone for our meetings and serve as a reminder to conduct ourselves in a sober, thoughtful manner. Our heritage has been to conduct these traditional elements at the beginning of our meetings and there is no reason to change. No one is coerced into joining in or joining any particular faith and anyone in the audience or on the board can decide not to participate if they choose.
The law is clear and the law has not been violated. Questioning a practice that has wide popular support and is legal as declared by the United States Supreme Court is not producing one job, housing one homeless family or protecting any of our natural resources. It fact it will divide the community and prevent those issues from receiving the attention they deserve. We have many issues to discuss that are vital to the well-being of our citizens. In my opinion, this is not one of them.
Prayer before public meetings is not the issue Danny, recognizing one particular Churches alleged service to the Community over another is.
Beach Lover
It means any church.Does that mean me? If so, is that a personal attack or just an unbiased observation?
Fox doofus.
Beach Lover
I have No respect for a person that refuses to stand for prayer Kadence.
Beach FanaticAuthor
I have No respect for a person that refuses to stand for prayer Kadence.
Quite frankly my dear I don't care because I have 0 (zero) respect for anyone that uses religion as an excuse to try an act like a human being.
Beach Lover
So that's why you don't stand in respect to God because you don't want to be accused of being a human being....what does that make you...???
Beach Lover
What it doesn't make her is cecilia jones, who is in my opinion is Satans assistance.
Beach FanaticAuthor
So that's why you don't stand in respect to God because you don't want to be accused of being a human being....what does that make you...???
Tell me where its written in the bible that I must stand to show God respect???
Jesus condemns as hypocrites those who make an ostentatious display of praying!
Edited
Beach FanaticAuthor
P.S. Cecilia...most people believe that showing respect to God means being on your knees in prayer not showing off at a Commission meeting begging for recognition of a Churches 30 years of service.
Tell me again exactly what it is your Church deserved those praises for? How many homeless people did they house when temps reached freezing in Walton County last year? (Oh wait I know the answer, they don't want the riffraff in SoWal so they closed the shelter!) How many meals did they prepare to feed the homeless? (Answer: NONE!) How much clothing or household goods have they donated to help those less fortunate or who were victims of Irma that lost everything? Where were all the volunteers from your Church when Walton County Emergency Management was asking for volunteers during Irma? Was your behind working the shelter that was provided? (LOL, we know it wasn't.)
Fact is, if they had 30 years of REAL service to this community and those less fortunate you wouldn't have to ask for recognition because people in Walton County would know all about the great work they do!
Tell me again exactly what it is your Church deserved those praises for? How many homeless people did they house when temps reached freezing in Walton County last year? (Oh wait I know the answer, they don't want the riffraff in SoWal so they closed the shelter!) How many meals did they prepare to feed the homeless? (Answer: NONE!) How much clothing or household goods have they donated to help those less fortunate or who were victims of Irma that lost everything? Where were all the volunteers from your Church when Walton County Emergency Management was asking for volunteers during Irma? Was your behind working the shelter that was provided? (LOL, we know it wasn't.)
Fact is, if they had 30 years of REAL service to this community and those less fortunate you wouldn't have to ask for recognition because people in Walton County would know all about the great work they do!
Beach Fanatic
Its called pandering for future votes.
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